Ketamine works directly on your brain, targeting Glutamate NMDA receptors there. Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter that can cause neurotoxicity when unregulated. The drug blocks NMDA receptors from receiving Glutamate attack. Your body can then create new pathways in your brain and even generate new synapses.

Mental and physical illnesses can damage the synapses in your brain. Without healthy synapses, it’s hard for your brain to recover. But ketamine helps your brain regenerate and heal itself. More than 75% of people who try ketamine feel some therapeutic benefits. Most patients report an improvement in their mood, better energy levels, and less physical pain.

Ketamine is only FDA-approved for use as an anesthetic. Ketamine therapy refers to the off-label use of the medication for psychiatric conditions and brain disorders.

The psychiatric practice also provides the FDA-approved Intramuscular (IM) Injections.

Researchers are still unsure of how ketamine therapy helps those suffering from psychiatric disorders or brain conditions. However, it’s theorized that by blocking NMDA receptors, which is responsible for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, it activates other receptors in your brain and creates new pathways for neural communication.  

Referred to as synaptogenesis, the creation of the new pathways may lift your mood and change the negative thought patterns associated with your psychiatric disorder.

Unlike other psychiatric treatments, including antidepressants, ketamine therapy works almost immediately

Intramuscular (IM) Injections. This is a single shot of Ketamine that is administered via a needle into muscles (usually shoulder or thigh). The medication is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually reaches the brain. It provides relatively easy and quick responses with a lower cost than IV Infusions. Following the successful improvement of symptoms, patients would then return as needed for single “booster” injections.

Nashville Brain Institute emphasizes individual treatment based upon deeper understanding of the brain chemicals and brain functions. We do Brain Executive Function Testing, Neurotransmitter Assessment, and Pharmacogenetics Testing. This clinical information will give a better predictions to guide the Ketamine treatment with higher response rate. If you’re not sure whether ketamine is right for you, Nashville Brain Institute will provide consultation. During your consultation, you meet with a licensed physician or Nurse practitioner (NP).  Your provider reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms. They help you decide if ketamine is a good fit.

Compared to recreational use of ketamine, the ketamine IM treatment uses low dose of ketamine and intermittent injection under restricted clinical supervision. Therefore, the chances of developing addiction and dependence are very low.

Intramuscular injections allow your body to absorb the medication right away. Ketamine itself is also fast-acting, and many patients notice results within 24 hours.

These qualities make intramuscular ketamine injections an excellent option for people with:

• Treatment-resistant depression
• Chronic pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Anxiety
• Migraines
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Ketamine works best when used as part of a broader treatment strategy. During your consultation, your provider helps you create a personalized treatment plan. They let you know when you can expect to see results.

After your injections, the Nashville Brain Institute team observes you carefully. The team also helps you if you have adverse reactions and adjust your dosage or plan for your next treatment.