Esketamine vs. Traditional Antidepressants: How New Therapies Are Changing Treatment Timelines
Esketamine offers rapid relief for treatment-resistant depression, often working within hours or days. Unlike traditional antidepressants, esketamine targets the brain’s glutamate system to enhance neuroplasticity. FDA-approved Spravato is administered via nasal spray in certified clinics under medical supervision. PMC Heal integrates esketamine into personalized care plans, combining therapy, medication, and support. If you’ve struggled with […]
Is Ketamine an Opioid? Why It’s Different — And Why That Matters in Mental Health
Key Takeaways: Ketamine is not an opioid; it does not act on opioid receptors or carry the same risks of physical dependence, despite being used for pain relief in medical settings. Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic, working on NMDA receptors to promote glutamate activity and synaptic growth, which can rapidly relieve depression and […]
What to Expect During Your First Esketamine Treatment
Key Takeaways: Thorough screening ensures esketamine is safe and appropriate, with detailed assessments before starting treatment. Treatment sessions are calm and supervised, with self-administered nasal esketamine and a two-hour observation period. Post-session care focuses on safety, including monitoring, guidance on side effects, and requiring a ride home. Esketamine is part of a broader care plan, […]
How Long Does Ketamine Relief Last? What Patients Should Know About Duration and Effectiveness
Key Takeaways Relief from ketamine infusion therapy can last from days to weeks, depending on the patient and condition. Esketamine and ketamine both provide fast-acting relief but may require maintenance sessions for lasting benefits. Treatment duration is influenced by the method used, the condition being treated, and each patient’s unique response. Esketamine’s long-term side effects […]
How Ketamine Infusion Therapy Is Redefining Care for Depression and Anxiety
Key Takeaways Ketamine infusion delivers rapid symptom relief by targeting glutamate, not serotonin, offering hope for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Sessions are medically supervised, with tailored dosing and a calm clinical setting designed to prioritize patient safety and comfort. Most patients start with six infusions over 2–3 weeks, followed by ongoing maintenance based on individual […]
Is Ketamine Addictive? Separating Facts From Stigma in Modern Mental Healthcare
Key Takeaways Ketamine is not considered addictive when used in a medically supervised setting for mental health treatment. Ketamine is not an opioid and works through the brain’s glutamate system to support neuroplasticity. Clinical protocols, including tailored dosing and in-clinic supervision, greatly reduce misuse risk. Esketamine contraindications, such as certain health conditions, are evaluated before […]
Ketamine Infusion Therapy Demystified: Safety, Science, and What to Expect from Treatment
Key Takeaways: Ketamine and esketamine are emerging, FDA-approved treatments for treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions, distinct from opioids and typically safe under medical supervision. Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants by promoting rapid synaptic growth and brain circuit repair through NMDA receptor modulation. These therapies are administered either through intravenous ketamine infusion therapy […]
Balancing Innovation and Tradition: The Role of Medication Management in Modern Mental Health
Key Takeaways: PMC Heal offers integrative medication management for depression that works alongside innovative treatments like ketamine therapy and TMS, rather than replacing traditional psychiatric medications. Our approach includes ongoing monitoring, side effect management, and coordination across providers to ensure safe, effective care tailored to each patient. Ketamine and psychiatric medications can often be used […]
Is Spravato Covered by Insurance? What Patients Need to Know
Key Takeaways: Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression and is often covered by insurance, though requirements and coverage vary by provider. Insurance approval typically requires documentation of past treatment failures, a formal diagnosis, and pre-authorization, which PMC Heal helps patients manage. PMC Heal offers comprehensive support—including insurance verification and billing assistance—to […]
TMS vs Ketamine: Which Alternative Depression Treatment Is Right for You?
Key Takeaways: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ketamine therapy are promising alternative depression treatments for individuals who haven’t responded to traditional methods. Ketamine acts quickly on brain chemistry to relieve symptoms and is especially effective in acute or treatment-resistant cases. TMS uses non-invasive magnetic stimulation to improve mood over several weeks and is ideal for […]