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This special guest blog post was written by a New Life Wellness patient
I was a Freshman in College when I first found New Life Wellness. I was struggling with anxiety and depression, unhappy with my antidepressants. I felt like they would work for a few months, but then I started feeling how I was feeling before I began taking them. I didn’t feel I was getting to the root of my problems; I felt I was merely masking my emotions with serotonin. I was unhappy with the side effects and looked for treatment options other than taking pills every day.
Read More: Can I Take Ketamine While on Antidepressants?
I discussed the issues I was having with my antidepressants with my therapist. He suggested that I look into ketamine infusions as an alternative treatment option. I then researched IV ketamine and found it to be a promising and safe option, which led me to think it might be worth trying. it. I was looking at at-home options for convenience like Joyus and Mindbloom, but when I found out there was a Ketamine Clinic in my city (New Life Wellness), that administered IV Ketamine in a safe and comfortable environment, overseen by medical professionals, I filled out a “get-in-touch” form and got a return call from them that very same day. Over the phone, I felt cared for and was assured that this was a safe treatment option for a college student. They even said that they would speak with my Parents if there were any concerns or questions about ketamine or the treatment
Read More: The Role of Family in Supporting Depression Counseling
I scheduled a consultation for when I was out of school. I was nervous about trying a new treatment option that seemed so innovative. When I came to the clinic for my initial consultation,everyone at the clinic was friendly and happy to answer any questions I had, from payment inquiries to what I should know before starting my treatment. They explained to me what I might experience during the infusion and the benefits of ketamine in the days, weeks, and even months after treatment. They explained to me that ketamine promotes “neuroplasticity,” which is where your brain repairs damaged neurological connections due to past trauma and daily life, as well as makes new neurological connections, which is the true magic of ketamine. I was told to think of it like a fertilizer or Miracle-Gro for your brain. No available antidepressant (SSRI) can do that. Through the treatment, I would literally help rewire my brain. After the consultation, I was deemed a good fit for Ketamine infusions. I then had my first session. It was a strange feeling yet oddly comforting at the same time. Each treatment I had after the initial infusion became better and better as I got more used to what I was about to experience.
During the actual ketamine infusion, I experienced a common sensation known as “dissociation”. This is where you might feel “out-of-body” and your mind takes you where it needs to go. It was a profoundly euphoric experience: one that left me feeling enlightened and helped me to gain a deeper understanding of myself. In a way, it felt like I was giving myself therapy as my mind was addressing the problems I was dealing with. It helped me cope and, in a way, to actually overcome some of the difficulties I was experiencing in life.. I truly felt for the first time that I was addressing the root of my problems. The staff explained that they could give me such a low dose that I don’t dissociate,yet still get the neuroplasticity benefits. I was comfortable with trying to dissociate, however.
Since the initial treatment, I’ve noticed myself being happier with life overall. My anxiety and depression haven’t gone away, but they have been significantly reduced. The ketamine infusions gave me a new look at life and a new appreciation for the world in which we live.
The days after treatment, I did notice the neuroplasticity taking effect as my mind felt clear for a change, and I felt “reset”.I continued to go to therapy, which I encourage anyone interested in the treatment to do, so you can really get the full benefits by further exploring changes and how ketamine may have affected you. Ketamine has altered my perspective on the connection between my mind and my body. I feel more like myself and experience more self-love between my body and mind.
It has been a few years since my initial infusions, and I continue to believe that the ketamine treatment was one of the best decisions I have made for myself. I have successfully gotten off my antidepressant and continue with therapy. I never thought there would be a treatment option that could help me and make me feel so much better that I was able to get off of daily medication.
If you or someone you know is struggling mentally and is in need of a new treatment option that is safe and effective, I encourage them to look into Ketamine treatment. It can seem scary at first, but at New Life Wellness, they do a great job of answering all of your questions and truly put their patients first.
Healing requires time and effort, but with proper tools and support, progress becomes more attainable. Ketamine helped me heal and become more whole. I thank all the staff at New Life Wellness for their efforts to help everyone who is interested in treatment, as well as ending the stigma behind ketamine and its true benefits if used in a medical setting. It’s never too late to seek help.
