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Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, is now gaining recognition for its rapid and effective treatment of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Unlike SSRIs, which can take weeks to work, ketamine often provides relief within a few days. However, it must be administered in a clinical setting due to its dissociative effects and potential side effects, such as nausea or headaches. When used properly, ketamine promotes brain health by fostering new neural connections, making it a powerful therapeutic tool.

Our treatment protocol is tailored based on symptom severity, often combining ketamine infusion therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. While not everyone qualifies, we aim to address the root issues. Many patients report reduced reliance on antidepressants after undergoing treatment, though long-term data is still being gathered.

Inflammation, while sometimes beneficial in short-term injury recovery, can become problematic when it turns chronic, leading to a harmful feedback loop. Ketamine helps downregulate inflammatory cytokines, while treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy further reduce inflammation, offering relief for those suffering long-term.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can exacerbate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as both involve physiological changes in the brain. PTSD leads to an overactive hindbrain and amygdala, keeping individuals in a constant state of fight or flight, while the underactive prefrontal cortex struggles to calm this response. This imbalance causes inflammation, and treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation can help restore balance.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can lead to long-term damage at the cellular level, where neurons break down like Legos. Glial cells, the brain’s immune defense, try to clean up the debris but can get stuck in “kill mode,” leading to toxic buildup and neurofibrillary tangles, disrupting brain function. Sleep is critical for clearing out these toxins, but TBI often disrupts sleep, worsening the condition over time.

Ketamine therapy has shown promising results in reducing inflammation and relieving chronic headaches, especially for those suffering from traumatic brain injuries. By the second or third infusion, patients often experience significant relief from migraines and brain fog, improving their quality of life.

This post shares the story of a former Army bomb technician’s struggle with panic attacks and PTSD. It highlights innovative treatments like ketamine, TMS, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which offer relief and hope for veterans and others facing mental health challenges.