How Old Do You Have to Be for Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine therapy offers a promising option for severe mental health disorders, particularly for those unresponsive to standard treatments. With rising mental health concerns among young people, interest is growing in its use for adolescents. 

This article will explore how old you need to be for ketamine therapy and the potential benefits and safety of ketamine therapy for those under 18.

Key Takeaways 

• Most ketamine therapies are designed for adults, with Spravato approved only for individuals over 18 years old.
• Some clinics are beginning to offer ketamine therapy for adolescents who have not found relief through traditional treatments.
• Clinics providing ketamine therapy to patients under 18 must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian.
• While promising, ketamine therapy for young people requires careful consideration due to potential risks and side effects.

Understanding Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine therapy is a new frontier in mental health treatment. Originally developed as an anesthetic, the drug is now being used in psychiatric settings to help treat several different mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and beyond. 

In the medical model of ketamine use, the drug is typically given through IV infusions or a nasal spray. Treatments are spread over several months, with the number of treatment sessions decided based on each person’s response and needs. This approach takes advantage of ketamine’s effects on the brain to help relieve symptoms of psychiatric disorders.

In Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), ketamine is combined with guided talk therapy and takes advantage of ketamine’s psychoactive effects. During a KAP session, a therapist helps the patient process thoughts and emotions that arise under the drug, supporting deeper self-reflection and emotional healing in a safe, supportive environment.

Advantages of Ketamine Therapy Over Traditional Medications

Ketamine works differently from conventional antidepressants by targeting glutamate, a neurotransmitter linked to learning and memory. This action increases measures of neuroplasticity, which enables the reorganization of neural pathways. Neuroplasticity can improve people’s ability to regulate emotions and change unhealthy patterns of thought and behavior. 

Unlike medications that can take weeks to start working, ketamine’s effects are often felt within hours after treatment. Ketamine also shows significant benefits for those who previously haven’t responded to conventional mental health treatments.

The Rise of Ketamine Clinics

With more research showing the therapeutic benefits of ketamine, there has been a surge in the number of clinics offering ketamine therapy over recent years. The number of ketamine ketamine prescriptions rose more than fivefold between 2017 and 2022.

A major development in ketamine therapy has been the introduction of Spravato (esketamine), which is a nasal spray form of the drug brought to market by Janssen and Janssen. Spravato was FDA-approved for certain types of depression in 2019, and so most insurance companies offer coverage, making it a more financially accessible option. 

Ketamine Therapy for Teenagers and Adolescents

According to the World Health Organization, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experience mental health disorders. Teenagers can be particularly prone to mental health issues because of the rapid brain and body changes that occur in adolescence. Moreover, modern pressures like social media and academic demands can take a severe toll on young people’s well-being. 

While conventional therapies such as antidepressants and talk therapy can be effective for some, not all teens respond well. One long-term investigation found that 40% of young people with depression remained depressed after months of undergoing standard therapies. This has led to a growing interest in exploring ketamine therapy as a potential option for this demographic.

Although research is still limited, some studies suggest that ketamine may be effective for adolescents. In one trial, six ketamine infusions were administered to participants aged 12 to 18 with treatment-resistant depression. At the six-week follow-up, symptoms significantly reduced or disappeared in three of the thirteen participants,

Another study involved 17 participants aged 13-17 diagnosed with major depressive disorder who received a single intravenous infusion of ketamine or a control drug. Twenty-four hours after the ketamine infusion, depressive symptoms were significantly reduced compared to the control group. Three days after treatment, 76% of those who received ketamine showed marked symptom improvement.

Safety Considerations for Ketamine Treatment

While ketamine therapy may offer hope for young people facing mental health challenges, especially those with treatment-resistant disorders, there are significant concerns about its potential side effects.

Ketamine can cause various physical and psychological side effects, such as increased heart rate, nausea, and dissociation–feeling separate from one’s body and sense of reality. Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic in children and teenagers for many years, and though these side effects are common, they tend to disappear once the drug effects have worn off. 

As young people’s brains are still developing, they are more sensitive to neurochemical changes caused by psychoactive substances. As such, experts have raised concerns about the risk of psychotic disorders and cognitive problems when ketamine is used at a young age. 

Moreover, ketamine has the potential for abuse and addiction. Given the brain sensitivity of young patients, this could mean addictive patterns more easily form. Ketamine is widely available in recreational drug markets, and there has been a rise in its use among teenagers in recent years.

In the studies mentioned above, there were no lasting side effects of concern following ketamine treatment. However, since these studies were relatively short, the outcomes don’t accurately represent real-life situations where individuals undergo treatments over a lifetime. Therefore, there is currently insufficient data to assess the long-term risks of ketamine therapy in young people.

Eligibility Criteria for Ketamine Therapy

Due to the potential side effects and risks of ketamine, there are specific circumstances when the therapy isn’t suitable. For example, it is unsafe for individuals with hypertension or a history of heart attacks. Additionally, its psychological risks mean that people with substance abuse problems or a personal or family history of psychosis are recommended to avoid this treatment.

How Old Do You Have to Be for Ketamine Therapy?

Age is a big factor in deciding who can get ketamine therapy, and most clinics only treat adults. This is especially true for Spravato, the nasal spray version of ketamine, which is only approved for people over 18.

Still, some clinics have started offering ketamine therapy to teens who haven’t responded to standard treatments. For example, Ballen Medical Wellness in Colorado has a program just for teens, combining ketamine infusions with counseling and other holistic therapies.

Any clinic that treats patients under 18 will need a parent or guardian’s consent before starting ketamine therapy.

Addressing Trauma with Ketamine Therapy

Traumatic circumstances can severely impact young people. Experiences like bullying or family abuse can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms and negative self-perceptions that can cause or exacerbate things like anxiety and depression. Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP) offers a unique way for people to address and work through these traumas early on.

Through its dissociative effects, ketamine can help people experience their emotions and memories differently. This can lead to increased insight into the roots of their psychological problems and an increased ability to make positive changes. 

By working with a psychotherapist, ketamine experiences can be directed to promote healing. Psychotherapists can also support young people through any confusion or fear that might arise during these experiences. 

The Future of Ketamine Therapies for Young People 

In one study, parents were asked about their perspectives on ketamine therapy and were generally supportive of it being used in young people with suicidality, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. They indicated a preference for less invasive therapies, such as using sublingual tablets rather than IV injection and having shorter length treatment.

Refining treatment protocols could make ketamine therapy a valuable option for young people facing serious mental health challenges. Scientists have called for more research into the long-term safety of ketamine to understand better and manage potential risks for this demographic.

FAQs

Sources

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9053551/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6493357/
• https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2022.170401
• https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/ketamine-plus-psychotherapy-for-ptsd/