Ketamine has been making a life-changing impact on those who suffer from depression, especially treatment resistant depression. An estimated 70% of those who receive ketamine infusions for a mental health condition experience profound relief, and the benefits of ketamine continue to last, even after the medication has been metabolized.
Ketamine takes action on glutamate receptors in the brain, regrowing and reactivating synapses that support the brain’s ability to change, helping it to shift out of depression. While ketamine is not a golden ticket to never being depressed again, it can allow the brain to rise above the fog of depression long enough to enable patients to engage in supporting treatments that may not have been viable options before. It is vital for ketamine patients to incorporate other wellness practices into their lives in order to extend the benefits of their ketamine treatments—such activities as therapy, antidepressant medications, exercise, meditation, and even CBD.
A recently-published study by a team of researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil shows that ketamine therapy—when combined with CBD—could limit the negative side effects of ketamine, while still preserving the therapeutic potential.
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for the psychoactive effect, CBD does not cause a high.
Scientists have learned how to isolate CBD for a variety of uses, including lotions, oils, edibles, cosmetics, and supplements. Medicinally, CBD has therapeutic effects for reducing inflammation, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and even alleviating symptoms of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
CBD works by reacting with the serotonin receptors, the same receptors that affect mood and emotional balance. By modulating these pathways, CBD can cause a sense of calm and relaxation, reduce stress, and stabilize mood, all of which can support and prolong the effects of ketamine therapy.
Understanding the Different Types of CBD
CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years. But not all CBD products were created equally. How do you know which type to buy, which are sourced using responsible practices, and what kind is best for you?
CBD isolate products only contain CBD from the cannabis plant. There are no other compounds, such as THC, present. CBD-only products, such as CBD isolate, can help a person gauge the effectiveness of CBD without confusing it with other compounds.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains other compounds and cannabinoids found in the plant, such as CBC, CBN, or terpenes, such as myrcene, limonene, or pinene. However, broad-spectrum CBD does not contain THC.
Full-spectrum CBD contains the same compounds as broad-spectrum CBD products in addition to a small amount of THC, usually under 0.3%. This small amount is not enough to create a high effect, but it is enough to help create the “entourage effect.” The entourage effect is when the presence of multiple compounds from the cannabis plant and its extracts maximizes its health benefits.
How Ketamine Therapy and CBD Work Together
While each therapy works through different mechanisms in the brain, both treatments can complement each other to provide long-lasting relief from depression and anxiety.
As previously mentioned, ketamine therapy targets the glutamate system and promotes the brain to form new and healthier neural connections. This process allows one to reset their mood and experience relief, helping them break through negative thought patterns. The effects of ketamine often appear within hours to days of treatment, giving patients the space to calm their anxiety, gain motivation, and engage more effectively in healing therapies. By engaging in therapies and positive lifestyle changes, one strengthens these neuro-connections, helping the brain continue to heal and rewire.
CBD therapy acts on the endocannabinoid system and serotonin receptors, which help regulate mood and reduce inflammation, further supporting the nervous system in relaxing and resetting. When used with ketamine, CBD for depression keeps stress low and supports emotional balance.
Research shows that CBD can reduce some of ketamine’s temporary side effects, including dissociation, nausea, or mild anxiety caused during or after the infusion. Because CBD promotes relaxation and steadier serotonin activity, it helps the nervous system stay calm, while ketamine promotes deeper changes in brain chemistry, offering similar effects of antidepressants, but with lower side effects and quicker onset.
Contact Ketamine Greater Boston
At Ketamine Greater Boston, we encourage our patients to explore alternative depression therapies to enhance the positive effects of ketamine for depression. CBD’s natural ability to calm, stabilize mood, and reduce inflammation makes it a powerful complementary therapy to ketamine treatments.
To learn more about ketamine infusion safety and how to properly incorporate CBD to enhance your results, contact us for a free consultation, or fill out the brief form below. Someone from our clinical team will reach out to you to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
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