Understanding How Ketamine Benefits Cognitive Function and Mood
Oct 10, 2024
Ketamine has quickly gained attention in recent years for its powerful ability to provide relief from the symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Oftentimes, these mental illnesses are resistant to traditional forms of treatment such as medication and therapy. However, ketamine has proven that it can offer a break in oppressive symptoms quickly and effectively. This has been monumental for those struggling with severe mental health symptoms such as panic attacks or suicidal ideation.
Although this drug has been around for quite some time, its effects on the brain are still being discovered. So, our team at Greenwich Avenue Psychiatry in Greenwich, Connecticut, explores all the ways we know ketamine can impact cognition and mood in this month’s blog.
Cognition is a blanket term that refers to the set of skills required for thinking, processing information, creating memories, learning a new skill, staying focused, and perceiving the world around you. Unfortunately, when you have a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, your cognition becomes impaired.
Neurotransmitters in your brain are required to perceive and interpret information all around you. Depression and anxiety can either cause your neurotransmitters to become too busy or too idle.
As a result, you may have issues paying attention, learning anything new, remembering information, or processing new information quickly. This is often referred to as “brain fog” or “cognitive impairment.”
Similarly, brain neurotransmitters are also a huge part of mood regulation. When certain neurotransmitters are hyperactive or hypoactive, you can experience mood disorders such as major depressive disorder, or depression.
Out of all the neurotransmitters in your brain, glutamate carries the most weight. It’s involved in 90% of your brain’s functions and is incredibly effective at communicating necessary information quickly. In addition, glutamate helps send out chemical messengers responsible for mood and builds roads for new brain connections, which is foundational for learning, focus, and memory.
Ketamine is so effective for treating mental health issues because it boosts the amount of glutamate in your brain. This means that not only is your mood going to be better regulated, but it also encourages positive thinking and clearer cognition.
At Greenwich Avenue Psychiatry, we offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, meaning we’re purposefully talking through your depression or anxiety as your brain is actively creating new pathways. The effectiveness of ketamine can only be boosted when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
To learn more about how ketamine can transform your brain, schedule a consultation with our team by calling or using our online booking feature today.