Ketamine for OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health condition that affects up to 3% of the world population. OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions), which can significantly interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Unfortunately, 40-60% of patients with OCD cannot find adequate relief with traditional treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). IV Ketamine therapy has emerged as a promising new approach for treatment-resistant OCD.

What is Ketamine for OCD?

Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that has shown great benefit in relieving symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic fatigue, PMS and PMDD, postpartum depression, addiction (with addiction specialist collaboration), chronic pain, and even cognitive deficits. IV Ketamine has been used safely for over 50 years, in both adults and children.

Unlike traditional antidepressants that primarily target serotonin levels, ketamine works by modulating levels of another neurotransmitter, including glutamate and GABA. Ketamine blocks the NMDA-receptor and has many cascading effects that stimulate production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to form new connections, is believed to be crucial in ketamine's ability to alleviate symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

How Effective is Ketamine for OCD?

In 2011, IV Ketamine was shown to rapidly reduce OCD symptoms within hours. Ketamine was later demonstrated to have rapid effect in reducing obsessive thoughts, with improvements lasting over a week in some individuals after just one infusion. Patients with more constant intrusive thoughts and obsessions experienced greater symptom relief with ketamine than other patients.

The more constant the intrusive thoughts, the greater the improvement with IV Ketamine

A growing number of trials have continued to demonstrate improvement in OCD symptoms with IV Ketamine.

Ketamine Provides Faster Relief Than Other NMDA-Receptor Blockers

Memantine is sometimes used to enhance the effects of other medications in treating OCD. However, these improvements can take 8-12 weeks to kick-in, compared to IV Ketamine's rapid effects.

How Does Ketamine Help Reduce OCD Symptoms?

We don't yet know exactly how IV Ketamine alleviates OCD symptoms. We patients find relief for several reasons:

• Impaired fear response: patients with OCD have dysregulated fear response, leading to the brain having an overly sensitized "fear alarm." In OCD, this alarm may be overly sensitive and difficult to turn off, even when the threat is gone. IV Ketamine can significantly help patients with PTSD who also have impaired fear responses.
• Disrupting dysfunctional brain circuits: OCD is associated with abnormalities in certain brain circuits, particularly those involving the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop. Ketamine is thought to disrupt these dysfunctional circuits, potentially "resetting" them and allowing for more adaptive functioning.
• Improving depression: depression is incredibly common in patients with OCD. IV Ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects may also improve OCD symptoms.
• Enhancing neuroplasticity:  ketamine's ability to promote neuroplasticity may enable the brain to break free from rigid thought patterns and compulsive behaviors, facilitating new learning and behavioral change.
• Reducing inflammation: inflammation in the central nervous system may contribute to OCD symptoms. Ketamine's anti-neuro-inflammation properties may hence be beneficial in OCD.

What to Expect During an IV Ketamine Infusion

At Clarus Health, IV ketamine therapy for OCD is administered in a compassionate and supervised medical setting with your doctor, an anesthesiologist or emergency room doctor. You can learn more about the IV Ketamine experience here.

Combining IV Ketamine with Therapy

The effects of OCD relief with IV Ketamine may be greater when combined with therapy, particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy.

ERP is a type of CBT that involves gradually exposing individuals to their feared situations or objects while preventing them from engaging in their usual compulsions. Ketamine can enhance the effectiveness of ERP by reducing anxiety and fear, making it easier for individuals to engage in the therapy and learn new coping mechanisms.

Is Ketamine Right for You?

The decision to pursue IV Ketamine therapy depends on many factors, including the holistic benefits of treating your mental health. You deserve to learn your treatment options for safe and rapid results. You should always speak with your doctors to learn about the risks and benefits of IV Ketamine therapy so you can make an informed decision. Learn more about the options for your depression by contacting Clarus Health today.