Is Ketamine an Opioid? A Thorough Investigation

As ketamine therapy is one of the newer formats out there today and many people are not entirely familiar with it, a number of common questions come up regarding it. One such example: Is ketamine an opioid?

At Mind's Journey, we're proud to offer the very best ketamine treatment services to clients around Sandy, Draper, Riverton, South Jordan, Herriman, Bluffdale and nearby areas of Utah. We offer ketamine therapy for depression, PTSD, anxiety and related symptoms. The basic answer to the above question is no, ketamine is not an opioid - here's a deeper dive into some of the confusion and misconceptions surrounding this topic, plus some of the important differences between ketamine therapy and opioids.

They Do Have Some Similarities

At a foundational level, it's easy enough to see why ketamine and opioids can sometimes be mistaken for one another or considered to be the same thing. Ketamine therapy can indeed product a few effects that are similar to certain opioids, including:

• Relaxation: Many opioids are known for their ability to produce a sense of relaxation and well-being, and the same can often be said of ketamine therapy.
• Pain relief: While not all opioids are meant specifically as painkillers, many are - and the same goes for ketamine therapy. It's often used to alleviate both physical and emotional pain.
• Dissociative feelings: As with opioids, ketamine can sometimes produce a sense of being detached or "out of body." This is often why some people refer to it as a "trip" or even an "escape."
• Dependence potential: While not all opioids are addictive, many have the potential for dependence - and the same goes for ketamine. However, the risk of addiction or dependence is much lower with ketamine therapy, and modern ketamine therapy programs are heavily focused on avoiding any kind of dependency issues through careful monitoring and dosages.

What Sets Ketamine Therapy Apart?

So if there are all these similarities between opioids and ketamine therapy, what makes them different? There are several key factors that set them apart:

• Mechanism of action: Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which can produce the above effects plus others. Ketamine, on the other hand, blocks a certain type of glutamate receptor - this is why it's often referred to as a dissociative anesthetic.
• Dosage levels: While many opioids require higher and higher doses over time to produce the same effects (which can increase tolerance and risk of dependence), ketamine therapy does not have this issue. In fact, some studies suggest that lower doses of ketamine may actually be more effective for treating depression than higher ones.
• Duration of effects: Opioids tend to provide relatively short-term relief from symptoms like pain or anxiety; once they wear off, patients typically need another dose. With ketamine therapy, however, treatment sessions are typically spaced further apart - for example, at Mind's Journey we recommend between 4-6 treatments over a two week period, with maintenance treatments once every few months.

Ketamine Is Still a Schedule III Controlled Substance

It's important to recognize that despite the reality that ketamine therapy is not an opioid, it remains a Schedule III controlled substance in the US. This means that it has a potential for abuse and dependence, but still has some accepted medical uses.

Again, this highlights the importance of working with professional, experienced ketamine therapy providers like the team here at Mind's Journey. We'll help ensure you receive the right dosage, frequency and monitoring to keep your treatment effective without any risk of dependency or other issues.

Talking About Ketamine Therapy

At Mind's Journey, we've found that some of our patients still experience some stigma or judgment when discussing ketamine therapy with friends, family members or acquaintances. We're here to tell you that there's nothing to be ashamed of - seeking help for depression, PTSD, anxiety or any other mental health concern is a brave and necessary step towards improving your well-being and quality of life.

If anyone questions the validity of ketamine therapy as a treatment option, remember what we've discussed above: It's not an opioid, it has unique mechanisms and dosages compared to opioids, and it can provide long-term relief from symptoms with careful monitoring.

Don't let misconceptions prevent you from exploring this life-changing treatment option - contact Mind's Journey today to learn more about our ketamine therapy services or our medical cannabis solutions around Sandy, Draper, Riverton, South Jordan, Herriman, Bluffdale and nearby parts of Utah!