#treatment-resistant-depression

#treatment-resistant-depression

The standard explanation is that ketamine blocks NMDA receptors. These receptors bind glutamate, which is a chemical messenger found throughout the brain and body. By blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine increase "brain-derived neurotrophic factor" (BDNF), a protein which I refer to as "Miracle-Grow for the brain." BDNF promotes neuroplasticity-which is the growth of new connections (synapses) in the brain. This has traditionally been viewed as the primary mechanism responsible for ketamine's therapeutic benefits. But ketamine does so much more!

Statistics show that about one-third of people with depression achieve remission-meaning their symptoms are gone-with traditional antidepressant medications. This matched my experience treating people, and I had grown to accept that this was as good as it gets. Although I wasn't thrilled with the fact that many people continued to struggle with significant symptoms of persistent depression, it seemed this was as good as we could do.

Summer passed Valerie Zeko by when she was 27, as she vegged out on the couch watching TV instead of seeing friends or exploring the overcast beach near her house. She later learned that period was her first episode of depression. I felt like the fog was in my head as well as outside, said Zeko, now 57, describing the mood disorder that would squelch her happiness, motivation and self-esteem for 28 years until she finally found effective treatment.

Laughing gas could offer rapid-acting treatment for depression, a study has found. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colourless gas that is inhaled and commonly used as a painkiller. The gas, which was banned for recreational use in 2023, can make people feel light-headed, dizzy and relaxed - but heavy use can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can damage nerves in the spinal cord.