Have A Child With Severe Depression? Ketamine May Help

Childhood depression is a serious problem that can lead to lifelong issues. However, a growing number of parents are considering the use of ketamine for these symptoms. How can this drug help?

The Origin Of Ketamine

Before considering ketamine for a child's depression, it is important to understand its varied history. It was first synthesized in 1962 and was found to be an effective replacement for PCP. The latter drug was once used as an anesthetic before its hallucinogenic properties were fully understand. Ketamine was a useful and safer alternative and one that was found to affect mental acuity in a variety of ways.

Unfortunately, ketamine has been abused as a club drug for about 30 years. However, it is still possible to get it in a prescription form from doctors. While it is still most often used for anesthetic purposes, a growing number of specialists are considering its use as an anti-depressant.

The Possibility As A Depression Treatment

Up to five percent of the population of young children suffer from serious depression. While that number is small compared to the 13-14 million adults who suffer from depression every year, it is still problematic. Childhood depression can worsen and influence a young person's life all the way up into adulthood and make it more difficult.

However, ketamine has a variety of intense depression benefits that have show it can be used to help a person with severe depression. These benefits may be possible for young children who are suffering from severe and clinical depression those who are occasionally sad or bummed out probably don't need to consider ketamine.

Is It Right For Your Child?

Deciding if ketamine is right for a child is a difficult task for any parent. While it has shown many positive benefits when given to a person intravenously over a very slow period, it may not be right for certain types of people. For example, those who have suffered from opioid addiction in the past may want to avoid ketamine as it affects opioid receptors.

While most young children are likely not addicted to opioids, there is a chance they may have been exposed to them in the womb. This exposure could have occurred due to a mother's use of medicinal or illicit opioids. As a result, the child may be more sensitive to ketamine and react to it in a negative way.

It is important to talk to a doctor, such as at IV Wellness Center, about this possibility before taking it. Interestingly, for children who may suffer from opioid addiction, it may be a useful cessation aide. As a result, it can serve multiple purposes in a variety of settings.