As the scientific community and the general population at large continue to understand mental health issues more, the stigma of those types of struggles is slowly lifting. That’s opened the door to new treatment options for conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
One of the more popular treatments for PTSD is ketamine infusions. However, despite promising signs that ketamine can help people struggling with PTSD, there are still some common misconceptions about the treatments. We’re here to dispel those myths and explain the real benefits of ketamine infusions for PTSD.
Fallacies people have about ketamine and PTSD.
Ketamine is a dangerous drug.
It’s easy to understand why so many people would think this, but it’s only partially true. Ketamine can be dangerous, but typically only when used recreationally. People who use it outside of a professional medical setting can take too much, and it can cause serious long-term health issues. It’s even possible to overdose on it. However, when you go to a medical professional for a ketamine infusion, you’ll be administered a safe and healthy dosage so that you won’t experience these adverse side effects.
Ketamine is just a party drug.
Similarly to the previous misconception, this myth has a basis in reality. Ketamine is, in fact, a popular drug known by the name “Special K.” It’s used recreationally because it makes the user feel like they’re in a dream-like state, but as mentioned, recreational use is often dangerous. However, ketamine infusions are used in a more professional setting to help treat issues like PTSD, and they’re administered in much smaller dosages than recreational ketamine.
Ketamine fixes PTSD.
You shouldn’t expect to undergo one ketamine infusion and all of a sudden, your mental health problems will go away. While it is an effective aspect of mental health treatment, it’s not a cure-all. Psychedelic medicine like ketamine infusions shows promise for helping with issues like PTSD, but it usually only works in conjunction with other treatment options. It takes preparation, dedication, and intense emotional processing to be an effective way to combat mental health problems.
Ketamine will make you lose your mind.
Again, recreational ketamine can lead to a type of psychosis where the user feels detached from reality and experiences delusional thoughts. However, that’s often only because the user takes too much in an unsupervised setting. Ketamine infusions, however, are more controlled. The medical expert administers a safe and healthy dosage to induce a dream-like state to help your body experience sensations differently. Those sensations are only temporary, though, and they end shortly after the infusion is over.
Ketamine is addictive.
In reality, ketamine doesn’t cause physical dependence when taking it safely. It’s no more addictive than your morning cup of coffee, and unlike most antidepressants on the market, there are withdrawal symptoms after stopping ketamine infusions. It’s perfectly safe to use in a professional setting where it’s administered in a healthy dose without worrying about becoming addicted or suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Treat your PTSD with ketamine infusions.
When it comes to treating mental health problems like PTSD, ketamine infusions have proven to be a safe and effective solution. At Long Island Ketamine Infusions, we can help you use it in a safe and professional environment. Based on a landmark study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, up to 70% of all patients can expect significant relief after a series of six ketamine infusions.
We’ve found that by curating the patient experience, providing an exceptional level of support, and setting realistic expectations, we consistently see outcome metrics that outperform the NIMH study. Learn more about how the process works, or check out our helpful FAQ for answers to any lingering questions you still have.