Ketamine is a medication that has historically been used in hospital settings for anesthesia. However, over the past two decades, it’s been studied and utilized as a treatment for mental health conditions. Several studies have demonstrated that ketamine can be helpful in treating anxiety.

Ketamine is thought to work by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, which may help to reduce anxiety symptoms. Read on for more about how ketamine is being used by psychiatric clinicians to help patients with anxiety.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal emotion that helps us deal with danger. It can become problematic when it is out of proportion to the situation or when it interferes with our daily lives. Symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
• Having an increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or tired

What causes anxiety?

There is not one single cause of anxiety. It is often a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.

• Genetic: Anxiety can run in families, so it may be partially due to genetics.
• Psychological: Anxiety can be the result of trauma or other stressful life events.
• Environmental: Anxiety can be triggered by factors in the environment, such as job stress or relationship problems.

What are typical treatments for anxiety?

There are a number of different types of treatment available for anxiety. These can include:

• Psychotherapy: This can help people learn about their anxiety and how to manage it.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This type of therapy can help people change the way they think about and react to anxiety-provoking situations.
• Medications: There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta-blockers. Psychedelics are a new class of medicine that is being leveraged to treat anxiety.
• Relaxation techniques: This can help people learn how to control their anxiety symptoms.
• Exercise: Exercise can help to relieve anxiety by reducing stress and improving mood.

What are the benefits of ketamine for anxiety?

There are a number of potential benefits of using ketamine for anxiety treatment. These can include:

• Relief from anxiety symptoms: Small studies suggest that ketamine may be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
• Rapid onset of action: Ketamine is thought to work quickly, with some people reporting relief from anxiety symptoms within a few hours of taking the medication. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, on the other hand, can sometimes take several months to effectively treat anxiety.
• Long-lasting effects: The effects of a single dose of ketamine may last for a few days or weeks, which is longer than most other anxiety medications.
• Increased access to treatment: Ketamine is available as an at-home treatment option, which can increase access to care for people who live in rural or underserved areas.
• Reduced need for hospitalization: For people with severe anxiety, ketamine may reduce the need for hospitalization.

What is the evidence for anxiety treatment using ketamine?

A small study published in 2016 in the journal Biological Psychiatry found that a single dose of ketamine was associated with a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD).

The researchers noted that the effects of ketamine were not just due to the medication's anesthetic properties. They suggested that ketamine may work by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, such as glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are thought to be involved in the development of anxiety and depression.

Another small study, published in 2018 in the journal Nature, found that a single dose of ketamine was associated with a reduction in symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder (SAD).

The researchers suggested that ketamine may work by reducing activity in the amygdala, a region of the brain that is involved in the processing of fear and anxiety.

Ketamine for anxiety is still being studied, and more research is being published each year. If you’re considering ketamine for anxiety, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.

How does at-home ketamine therapy work?

If you are interested in at-home ketamine therapy for anxiety, you will work with a provider to develop a treatment plan. This usually involves meeting with the provider to discuss your symptoms and create a plan that includes a dosing schedule.

During treatment, you will self-administer ketamine via orally disintegrating tablets. The exact dose and frequency of treatment will be determined by your provider. These tablets are held in the mouth until they dissolve. After ten minutes of swishing, the medicine is either spit out or swallowed. Spitting is recommended for most patients to reduce nausea that is sometimes experienced with ketamine.

For some patients, ketamine is combined with therapy in a process known as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. KAP usually includes weekly therapy sessions while you are experiencing ketamine, as well as integration sessions that take place after your ketamine experiences. These sessions provide an opportunity for you to discuss your progress and any challenges you are experiencing, and work with your psychotherapist to process your experience. Your provider may also adjust your dose or frequency of treatment based on your response to therapy.