By Gia Nevel, PMHNP
Ketamine is a transformative therapy that has a unique ability to rapidly alleviate mental health
conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, and other conditions. Ketamine is a catalyst for growth and renewal, both on a
cellular and a psychological level. In this article, the main biological effects of ketamine on the
brain will be illustrated through an analogy of a garden.
Neural pathways
Imagine the brain as a lush garden with a web of roots beneath the soil, representing
our mental landscape. Each plant’s root system represents a network of neurons, and the tiny
rootlets and tendrils branching out symbolize synapses and dendrites. The health of a plant is
closely related to its root system. Ketamine acts on our ‘root system’ or
neural pathways by growing new dendrite branches and strengthening
existing neural connections.
Synaptic Plasticity
Ketamine acts on the brain’s neural pathways through synaptic plasticity. Synaptic
plasticity is akin to how a plant naturally balances the growth and pruning of its roots
in response to its environment. Your brain’s corresponding neural
connections change as you learn, have new experiences, or repeatedly engage
with a particular thought or skill. Conversely, Plants or neural networks without adequate
nurturing or when under stress might see their roots shrivel and retract. In many psychiatric
conditions, maladaptive changes in neural pathways occur in areas of the brain involved in
cognition and mood. By restoring balance to these neural pathways, ketamine can improve
symptoms. Ketamine restores balance by inducing neurons to release proteins and other
chemical messengers involved in cellular signaling. Two of these, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic
Factor and Glutamate, will be discussed below.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
Ketamine works by activating a cascade of downstream cellular pathways. Ketamine triggers
the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. BDNF can be considered a potent and
naturally occurring fertilizer scattered throughout the soil in the brain ‘garden’. When the roots,
or neurons, come in contact with this fertilizer, they grow faster, become healthier, and sprout
new rooting tendrils, or dendrites. With adequate BDNF, plants in the brain’s garden are resilient
and thrive.
Glutamate
Ketamine primarily works through the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate can be thought of
as sunlight, essential for the growth of plants. Just the right amount ensures that the garden
thrives. However, too much or too little can hinder growth or even damage the plants.
In the presence of Ketamine, the usual pattern of sunlight distribution, or glutamate, is altered.
This shift creates opportunities for new roots to sprout and existing ones to recover or grow
differently. Ketamine rebalances the ‘garden,’ helping the brain heal and grow in
healthier, more beneficial ways.
The Disconnected Mental Garden
Looking at the brain or garden from a mental health perspective, we can better understand
ketamine’s therapeutic role. When the garden faces chronic stress and environmental
disruptions, it can cause the roots to detach from one another, become sparse and
disconnected, and the plants to wither. These weakened neural connections, especially in areas
regulating emotions and attention, make the garden appear desolate, fostering an atmosphere
of isolation and negativity. The fading of the garden reflects the onset of depression – a gradual
disconnection from the world, our loved ones, and ourselves.
The Role of Ketamine in Renewal and Healing
Just as a garden thrives with the right balance of nutrients and sunlight, Ketamine can help the
brain flourish again by balancing and reconnecting neural pathways. Traditional nurturing
methods akin to therapy and antidepressants are like the slow, gradual tending to the garden.
Ketamine speeds up the rejuvenation process and allows the garden to grow vibrantly again. By
modulating neurotransmitters like glutamate and enhancing factors like BDNF, ketamine
reinvigorates the brain’s landscape, allowing new connections to blossom and old
ones to strengthen. This accelerated renewal process not only alleviates symptoms but
fundamentally alters the terrain of the brain, growing a healthier, more resilient mental
garden.
If you or your loved one are suffering with depression, ketamine therapy may be a great next step for you. Feel free to call Kure Medical or your local ketamine center to learn more about ketamine infusion therapy. If this is an emergency please call the National Mental Health Hotline: 988 or call the National Emergency Hotline: 911
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for personalized recommendations and guidance regarding ketamine therapy.
