Information Veterans Should Know

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Many Americans view emotions as intangibles, but they are created within our brains. Our brains can degenerate or heal like many other parts of our bodies, but so many Americans don't view mental health symptoms the same way they view physical symptoms.

For example, would you fault an athlete for using protein supplements to encourage muscle growth? Or using ice and heat therapy to accelerate healing in an injured joint? Of course not. Those practices are so common that many people who aren't athletes do them, too.

That same thinking should apply to mental health, especially among veterans experiencing depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Let's use a new analogy: Think of your brain as a complex urban highway system full of connecting ramps, bridges, and overpasses. Your brain's highway workers are constantly (but slowly) building more bridges, but depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other mental health disorders can slow or stop this process.

Research shows ketamine can fix the existing bridges and make that existing infrastructure more open to growth and healing. That growth and healing within the brain spurs improvement in mental health symptoms.

That's why the experts at Aurora Mental Health & Wellness are using ketamine to try to help patients with treatment-resistant mental health disorders — and often see better results than other common medications. In addition, ketamine doesn't have those pesky and sometimes embarrassing side effects associated with traditional antidepressants that you take daily.

Research shows that 70 percent of ketamine patients see significant improvement in symptoms of treatment-resistant depression after the initial six loading doses, compared with the 40 percent success rate for traditional anti-depressants, said Dr. Paul Colligan, CEO and a provider at Aurora.

Below you will find some of the best current working theories around ketamine’s acting mechanisms and benefits, as compiled and explained by Dr. Colligan. 

1) NMDA Receptor Antagonism: Ketamine primarily works by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which is a type of glutamate receptor in the brain. By doing so, ketamine modulates the release of several neurotransmitters, including glutamate and dopamine. This modulation of neurotransmitter activity may play a role in alleviating symptoms of depression. 

2) Synaptic Plasticity: Ketamine has been shown to promote synaptic plasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to reorganize its neural connections in response to learning and experience. This effect may help to reverse the atrophy of certain brain regions associated with depression and other mood disorders. 

3) Anti-inflammatory Effects: Some studies suggest that ketamine may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could be relevant since inflammation has been implicated in the development of mood disorders. By reducing inflammation in the brain, ketamine may help to improve mood and cognitive function. 

You can read more about the science behind ketamine's mental health uses here, but you probably see a pattern: Ketamine addresses physical aspects of the brain that are affecting patients' emotions and mental health. It's not a matter of how mentally tough they are or how hard they are "trying" to overcome their symptoms.

Aurora Mental Health & Wellness also manages traditional oral medications, and some patients are receiving both oral medications and ketamine treatment. They work with patients who have never received mental health treatment before, as well as those who have tried a variety of treatments.

If you're wondering if they can help you or a loved one, visit the Aurora Mental Health & Wellness website or call 320-390-7338 to schedule a consultation.