In the bustling city of Houston, a silent epidemic persists. 50 million Americans are currently battling mental illness, and only about half of them are finding the relief they need from antidepressants. Even in cases where an antidepressant does work, one out of every three people eventually notice their symptoms return—a term called “breakthrough depression.”
That’s where ketamine therapy comes in. This “anti-medication” solution for depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Ketamine regrows neural pathways at the source to induce long-term healing, unlike traditional treatments that only alleviate your symptoms.
We recognize that there’s a lot of contradictory information out there about ketamine therapy, and differentiating facts from fiction isn’t as easy as it seems. That’s why the expert providers at NueMind Ketamine & IV Wellness are breaking down everything you need to know about ketamine therapy in Houston in this blog!
What is ketamine therapy?
In Houston, we offer ketamine therapy as a breakthrough solution for treatment-resistant conditions, such as:
- Chronic stress
- PTSD
- Suicidality
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Mood disorders
- Alcoholism/addiction
Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic drug that has been routinely used for decades in anesthesia and emergency medicine around the world. Doctors tend to opt for ketamine for even the most fragile patients—from children to the elderly—thanks to its extensive track record as a safe, effective intravenous sedative and pain reliever.
That being said, ketamine has not yet been FDA-approved to treat psychiatric disorders or chronic pain—despite its revolutionary effects—and is therefore an off-label solution. Keep in mind that scientists have been studying ketamine as a mental health and chronic pain treatment for more than 40 years.
These specialists have found that this unique formula works at the receptor level, where the human nervous system triggers physical and mental pain responses, to precisely target and protect neurons from otherwise inherent damages. Unlike SSRIs and other antidepressants or Tylenol, ketamine targets the root of the issue instead of relieving the effects.
Is ketamine therapy safe?
So long as you visit a reputable ketamine clinic in Houston and the drug is administered by a licensed medical professional, ketamine therapy is safe. The same rules apply here as with any other pharmaceutical drug—casual, unsupervised use is dangerous, including instances of self-medication. Ketamine is only legal in the United States when administered by a registered medical practitioner in a professional setting.
Remember that ketamine is used every day as an anesthetic, and when administered by a professional, it is completely safe and effective. As one of the only two anesthetics listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “essential,” the healthcare industry relies on ketamine in a wide range of scenarios. Hence why the WHO requires that the drug is always available and affordable.
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How is ketamine therapy administered?
Just as it is often done in an anesthetic setting, ketamine treatment is administered through an intravenous (IV) infusion. This method expedites relief by delivering a controlled dose directly to your bloodstream. This way—unlike oral medications—the drug doesn’t need to pass through your digestive tract, where it loses much of its potency, to start working.
Ketamine Treatments for Mental Health
A single ketamine treatment can offer someone new hope, and that’s the heart of what we do.
When scientists realized the powerful capabilities of ketamine beyond anesthetics, they dove into extensive clinical research across the globe. They found that ketamine therapy effectively relieves a range of physiological disorders for at least 70% of individuals, including:
- Major depression
- Bipolar depression
- PTSD
- OCD
- Eating disorders
- Severe anxiety
All of these disorders share a common root cause—chronic stress. When high-stress levels go unmanaged, your brain cells change on a chemical level, cutting off communication from the prefrontal cortex altogether.
Your prefrontal cortex, otherwise known as your “personality center,” is the part of your brain that makes you who you are. This is where your thoughts and emotions are birthed, which is why ceasing communication signals can trigger depressive episodes. Unfortunately, traditional depression management, which consists of medications and/or psychotherapy, doesn’t offer lasting relief. Why? Because they don’t heal your brain.
Ketamine Treatments for Chronic Pain
Other ideal candidates for ketamine therapy in Houston are those struggling with chronic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, migraines, and fibromyalgia. Sadly, modern medicine hasn’t gotten to the point where these conditions are truly manageable, and patients often have to try a range of medications—and endure each one’s negative side effects—in hopes of finding one that works. In reality, only about 30% of individuals find the relief they need through this mainstream approach.
Again, all of these concerns are rooted in your brain’s neural pathways. Traditional medicine attempts to address these obstructions by interrupting these receptors. Ketamine takes things to another level, completely blocking these receptors. This sudden cut-off essentially presses the “reset” button on damaged pathways, triggering healing without exposing you to addictive opioids.
Where Traditional Care Falls Short
Let’s face it, our healthcare system is broken. Countless funds are poured into mental health treatment every year, yet millions of patients still aren’t seeing adequate results from traditional medications. Plus, these “solutions” tend to come with a laundry list of less-than-ideal side effects, from sexual dysfunction to weight gain and beyond.
That’s why we’re dedicated to removing the stigma around ketamine, shining a light on its science-backed mental and physical benefits that transcend the mediocre level of care that we’ve deemed the norm. We offer ketamine therapy in Houston to offer the fast-acting, long-lasting relief you deserve.
How Ketamine Rewires Your Brain
Ketamine is not a traditional medicine, so you don’t have to worry about the downsides and risks that—for whatever reason—doctors expect you to accept.
Scientists have conducted a range of imaging studies, which provide a visual “before and after” that prove ketamine’s positive effects. Here, we can see the switch that occurs after a patient receives ketamine therapy in Houston, as their brain activity shifts to quickly adapt to its new, repaired pathways. This is why patients can continue to enjoy the effects of ketamine for weeks or months after an infusion—even after the drug has completely left their systems.
What Makes Our Approach to Ketamine Therapy Different
We can’t emphasize this enough—where you go for ketamine therapy in Houston determines your results. At NueMind, we do things differently. Beyond scientific expertise, we’re curating first-class experiences to match, and that means leading with compassion.
Personalized Plans
At NueMind, we don’t believe in a standardized, “one-size-fits-all” approach. Our doctors are committed to making personalized, professional treatment accessible for everyone. That’s why we require ongoing check-ins—to track your progress and tweak your plan accordingly to optimize your experience every time.
Ongoing Medical Support
We recognize that once you’ve finished ketamine therapy in Houston, our work isn’t done. Living your best life is a daily choice, and it’s natural for your struggles and goals to evolve with time. That’s why we also perform post-infusion, next-day follow-ups, documenting your response through every stage with an objective mood tracker, which we’ll always share with you when you receive ketamine therapy in Houston.
A Unique, Serene Environment
As we’ve said, the setting for your therapy has a significant impact, and we’re not just talking about professionalism. Our clinic is filled with stunning, discrete treatment rooms, each of which we’ve intentionally designed to reflect your goals for your session. From inspiring colors to peaceful music, you’ll have everything you need to sit back and relax while we monitor your response to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the process.
Why NueMind Does Ketamine Therapy
In Houston, NueMind is breaking new ground for men and women from all walks of life battling chronic pain and mental disorders. As a family-owned and operated business, our clinic is dedicated to treating you like family.
Our founder, Dr. Ayesha McCoy, has nearly a decade of experience working as a board-certified anesthesiologist, granting her a unique understanding of the clinical capabilities of ketamine. When Dr. McCoy’s mother fell ill and was unresponsive to traditional medicine, she took it upon herself to dive deeper into researching ketamine’s therapeutic applications.
Upon unveiling the science behind ketamine therapy and seeing its real-life effects on her mother’s life, Dr. McCoy founded NueMind to share this new hope with others battling treatment-resistant conditions.
Take the First Step Towards Healing
At NueMind Ketamine & IV Wellness, we’re helping you reclaim control of your life. Your goals are our goals, and we view your success as our own. Our doctors are committed to personalizing your ketamine therapy in Houston to align with your unique goals, rewiring your brain to direct your thoughts, feelings, and life to healthier places.
Contact us to learn more about overcoming your negative habits and discovering the best version of yourself, whatever that looks like for you. We can’t wait to help you unlock your potential.
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