Anybody try Ketamine therapy for depression?

[[Ho...]]

Just spoke with an alternate therapy specialist about Ketamine. He works with a group that's supposed to be Benzo-wise according to the Benzodiazepine Coalition.

He says that Ketamine frees glutamate. That got me really, really scared. Don't we, as benzo recoverers-in-process, have too much glutamate? 

I'm 15 months off and looking to address my depression. I'm not at 70% yet but about 60% better. I'd rather gut it out than get into trouble, but I realize the depression may be feeding things too.

Does anyone have experience with Ketamine Therapy that they can share?

[[ke...]]

I also want to know more about this. I am managing, but suffering from protracted withdrawals going month 18. I am worried that putting more drugs into my body and brain is not what I need when im trying to get my brain to correct itself, but I am open to the possibilites that something could help.

[[ve...]]

I read an article here in BB and I would try it knowing that ketamine is a dissociative that lets you see stuff in a detached way.  Being low dose it doesn't put you into the k-hole.

[[Da...]]

@[Ho...] @[ke...] @[ve...]

 

Hi, I did Ketamine Therapy, intravenous...the initial six dose/2 week regimen was great...I then had 2 follow up boosters, four week apart...but I was already in severe Benzo tolerance withdrawals......The thing about Ketamine, at least here, they do not do proper screening...my psychiatrist just referred me with no screening questions.   After the initial 2 week treatment, I had 2 monthly sessions and felt pretty good for about 8 weeks (apparently I was to go back EVERY month).  We then did 1 session for four weeks and then I did another 2 sessions 4 weeks apart.  It did not do anything for me except increase my anxiety and I think it caused dp/dr.  However, I was on benzos and it is noted to be ineffective in that case.  I talked a lot with the administrator of the Ketamine and we decided that it would take a long time for it to work for me.  The thing about it is that, according to him, people will usually need it every 3-4 weeks for life.   If you are already off benzos.....it may be worth a try.  I felt a notable effect after the first treatment.  Big Pharma has nothing to do with it so that's a bonus.  There isn't any long term research yet so I stopped.  Feel free to ask me any questions.

[[ve...]]

@[Da...] What were the effects of Ketamine in the first 2 hours after taking it?  Did it feel like a mind-altering drug?  What were the effects in the weeks afterwards?

Edited January 14 by [ve...]

[[Da...]]

Hi, yes it was disassociating absolutely, Initially, I did 6 sessions in 2 weeks....  During the first session I laughed a lot.  The effects lingered with me...just a little brain fog and not feeling quite there, but for most people it just wears off.    During the 2nd session I was freaked out about how fast the time went.  The third session was scary and I cried a lot, but the following ones were okay.  I felt good, I remember even thinking, "Hey this will help me get off Benzos".  I couldn't tolerate alcohol after and still can't.  The next 2 months I had maintenance doses....and then stopped.  Then my symptoms got worse than pre-ketamine.  So I did more.  I can't say that it wouldn't have worked if I kept going.  However it is better for depression, not anxiety.  And it is 3 hours away from me.  I am glad I tried it.  When I am off Benzos it is something I may consider again.