Who is Not Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?

For years, ketamine therapy has been praised as an effective strategy for managing depression and anxiety. It has even found its application in managing several other mental health conditions and pain. However, understanding who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy can guarantee safe outcomes after treatment.

If you are here, chances are you also want to know whether ketamine is right for you or not. So, without wasting another minute, let's discuss this in detail.

What is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic agent. It was first used to induce and maintain anesthesia during surgical procedures. However, later, with the advancement of medical science, experts find its use in managing mental health conditions, especially depression and anxiety.

Who is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?

Before we discuss who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy, let's first discuss who can consider going for it in the first place.

Generally, candidates for ketamine therapy include individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression and anxiety disorders. These patients typically have not responded to conventional treatments.

Most of them are those who would want to seek alternative options to have good control over their condition.

Who is Not a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?

Here in this section, we have assembled a list of the medical conditions in which you should not consider going for ketamine therapy to avoid damage to your overall health.

Cardiovascular Disorders

Ketamine is known to have a stimulating effect on the heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, those with uncontrolled hypertension, severe heart disease, or a history of stroke are often advised against ketamine therapy.

Psychiatric Disorders

People with certain psychiatric disorders, like schizophrenia, are found to experience exacerbation of psychotic symptoms after ketamine administration. Additionally, people with personality disorders are also known to experience unpredictable outcomes. Therefore, such people are not good candidates for this novel therapy.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnant or breastfeeding women are generally advised against ketamine therapy. The effects of ketamine on the developing fetus or nursing infant are not well-studied. Therefore, the potential benefits should outweigh the risks if you are considering the treatment.

Age

Age is also a determining factor of whether someone is a good candidate for ketamine therapy or not. Both extremes of ages, children and older adults, are advised against ketamine therapy. This is due to the limited data in the literature about the safety of the procedure in these selected age groups.

The Bottom Line

Just like any other procedure, having the right knowledge about ketamine therapy can help you make an informed decision about your health. Just to recap, people with a history of heart disease, psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse are not good candidates for ketamine therapy. Additionally, women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding should also consult their healthcare provider to weigh out the possible risks and benefits.