Ketamine therapy is a fantastic option for those seeking treatment for certain mental conditions. However, like all treatments, ketamine therapy may not be a great option for everyone.
So, who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy?
Understanding who should or shouldn’t try ketamine therapy is key to making the best choices for your health and wellness. So, let’s talk about criteria, candidacy, and more below.
Key Takeaways:
- A Brief Introduction to Ketamine Therapy: Ketamine therapy uses low doses of ketamine to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, offering fast-acting relief for some individuals.
- Criteria for Ketamine Therapy Candidacy: Candidates include those with treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, or suicidal ideation, and individuals in stable physical health with strong support systems.
- Who Should Avoid Ketamine Therapy: People with schizophrenia, severe personality disorders, a history of substance abuse, uncontrolled hypertension, or liver and kidney issues should generally avoid ketamine therapy.
- The Impact of Pregnancy and Certain Medications: Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, as well as those on medications like benzodiazepines or antipsychotics, may not be good candidates for ketamine therapy due to potential risks.
- Alternatives to Ketamine Therapy: Alternatives such as psychotherapy or medications like antidepressants offer effective solutions for those not suited for ketamine therapy.
A Brief Introduction to Ketamine Therapy
Quickly, it’s important to understand what ketamine therapy is. This type of therapy utilizes low doses of ketamine, a drug originally developed as an anesthetic, to help manage a range of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and more.
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which target serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine, ketamine acts on the brain’s glutamate system. Glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain, playing a crucial role in mood regulation, cognitive function, and overall brain health.
Ketamine works by blocking a specific receptor in the brain called the NMDA receptor, which leads to an increase in glutamate production.
This glutamate boost enhances the brain’s ability to form new connections between neurons, a process known as synaptogenesis.
In simpler terms, ketamine helps the brain essentially rewire itself, allowing for the healing of neural pathways that may have been damaged due to stress or prolonged mental health issues.
Criteria for Ketamine Therapy Candidacy
Before we talk about who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy, let’s talk about what the criteria are for treatment.
To qualify for ketamine therapy, you’ll likely need to meet requirements similar to the following:
- Those who have treatment-resistant depression or anxiety
- Individuals with chronic suicidal ideation
- Those with chronic pain conditions
- People in stable physical health
- Individuals with support systems in place
If you meet those qualifications — along with an extensive mental and physical health exam — you likely qualify for ketamine therapy.
Who is Not a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?
Yes, ketamine therapy offers incredible benefits to many people — however, it’s simply not for everyone. Some individuals may face higher risks or limited effectiveness from the treatment due to specific health conditions, medications, or personal circumstances.
Here are the key categories of people who should typically avoid ketamine therapy.
Those With Certain Mental Health Conditions
Doctors may not suggest ketamine therapy for those with specific mental health conditions.
While it can be highly effective for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, some mental health disorders can worsen with ketamine use. This includes the following:
- Schizophrenia or Psychotic Disorders: People with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or any other psychotic condition are generally not good candidates for ketamine therapy. Ketamine can potentially trigger or exacerbate psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions.
- Severe Personality Disorders: Individuals with severe personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD) or antisocial personality disorder, may not respond well to ketamine therapy. These conditions can complicate treatment and may require alternative therapeutic approaches.
- History of Substance Abuse: Ketamine’s potential for misuse means that individuals with a history of drug or alcohol addiction may not be ideal candidates. Those in recovery must approach ketamine therapy cautiously, as it could lead to relapse or misuse.
Physical Health Concerns
Certain physical health concerns can also pose risks for those interested in ketamine therapy.
Thankfully, a thorough medical evaluation helps determine whether the treatment is safe. However, you will likely get turned down if you have concerns like the ones below:
- Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure: Ketamine can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension or heart conditions like arrhythmias, recent heart attacks, or severe heart disease should avoid ketamine therapy as it may further elevate cardiovascular risks.
- Liver or Kidney Disease: People with significant liver or kidney problems may not tolerate ketamine well. The body processes and eliminates ketamine through these organs, and impaired function could lead to toxicity or adverse effects.
- Glaucoma: Ketamine can raise intraocular pressure, which makes it risky for individuals with glaucoma. This condition requires alternative treatments that do not exacerbate eye pressure.
Pregnancy and More
Finally, for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, ketamine therapy can pose various potential risks to the fetus or baby. To prevent any potential harm, people who are nursing should avoid ketamine treatments until they have finished breastfeeding.
Finally, some medications, especially those that affect the central nervous system (such as benzodiazepines or antipsychotics), may interact negatively with ketamine.
Those taking these drugs should consult their healthcare provider to assess whether ketamine therapy is appropriate or if adjustments to their medication regimen are necessary.
Alternatives to Ketamine Therapy for Those Who Aren’t Suitable
If you happen to not be a good candidate for ketamine therapy, don’t panic! There are still several options you can try that may be able to help your mental health. Let’s take a look at alternatives like psychotherapy, medications, and other treatments.
Psychotherapy
If ketamine therapy isn’t right for you, psychotherapy may be another great option. Psychotherapy is one of the most effective and widely used treatments for mental health conditions, and it offers long-term benefits.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or even trauma-focused therapy all prove to be good alternatives with proven benefits and success rates.
Find out more about psychotherapy groups in Round Rock, TX, in our blog.
Medications
If you can’t try ketamine therapy, medications provide another avenue for relief. Some of the most common options include:
- Antidepressants: Traditional medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) remain a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety. These medications increase the availability of mood-regulating neurotransmitters in the brain.
- Mood Stabilizers: For those with mood disorders like bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium or lamotrigine) help regulate emotional highs and lows and prevent manic or depressive episodes.
- Anti-Anxiety Medications: Benzodiazepines or non-addictive alternatives like buspirone may be prescribed to manage acute anxiety, though long-term use of benzodiazepines is typically avoided due to dependency risks.
Other Options
Finally, other non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments can be highly effective for those who cannot experience ketamine therapy.
These options include Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), one of the most effective treatments for severe depression. t involves the use of electrical currents to induce controlled seizures, which can reset brain chemistry and alleviate symptoms of severe mental health conditions.
So, don’t worry if you do not qualify for ketamine therapy. There are still many options for you and your mental health — and we’re here to help you explore them in whatever ways you need.
See if Ketamine Therapy is Right for You
Are you ready to see if ketamine therapy is right for you? Therapy Unlocked is a great place for those in Texas to experience this kind of unique relief. And, if ketamine therapy isn’t right for you, we have plenty of other treatment options to provide you with support.
Contact us today to learn more about ketamine therapy and what it can do for you.
