ketamine vs mushrooms

Ketamine vs Psilocybin: Which One is Right for You?

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs, such as ketamine vs. psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Both are powerful tools for treating a range of mental health disorders. But which one is right for you?

In the following sections, we’ll explore the science behind each drug and discuss their potential therapeutic uses so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment.

Psychedelics For Therapeutic Use

Psychedelics are experiencing an exciting resurgence for both recreation and within the medical community.

For decades, these drugs have been used by indigenous cultures and in spiritual contexts throughout the world to promote healing and personal growth. However, in the 1950s, psychedelics such as LSD and magic mushrooms emerged in the western psychological and psychiatric community. Nevertheless, it was short-lived due to the prohibitive legislature in the mid-1960s effectively ending all major psychedelic research programs.

In recent years, though, there has been a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. This has led to a resurgence in research and clinical trials, exploring the use of these drugs to treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.

The two main psychedelics we’ll be focusing on in this article are ketamine vs psilocybin (commonly found in magic mushrooms). Both of these drugs have been studied extensively, with promising results. Let’s take a closer look at each one. 

The Science of Ketamine

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that has been used for decades in medical settings. Both Ketamine and its S enantiomer, Esketamine (Spravato), work by blocking certain NMDA receptors in the brain, which leads to a temporary dissociative state and increased circulation of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. This can lead to an antidepressant effect in some individuals, making it a potential treatment for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.

In addition, ketamine has been studied for its potential to reduce suicidal ideations, making it one of the only drugs that have been found to show promise in treating this condition.

With its high livability and short-acting effects, ketamine is shaping up to be one of the best treatment plans to combat conditions that seemed untreatable before.

The Science of Psilocybin

Psilocybin is a psychedelic found in certain species of mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms. Its “mystical” properties are traced back to its mechanism of action, or how it interacts with the receptors in our brains. Unlike ketamine, psilocybin works by agonistically interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to a range of effects including alterations in mood, perception, and cognition.

The therapeutic potential of psilocybin has been studied for a wide range of applications, from treating addiction to depression and PTSD. Studies show that it increases the cerebral blood flow to the frontal cortex (frontal hyper-frontality) while normalizing the hyperactivity of the medial prefrontal cortex. Both effects result in its anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects.

In addition, psilocybin has been studied for its potential to reduce cravings and help individuals overcome tobacco, cocaine, nicotine, or opioid addiction. Socially, psilocybin has also been used to help individuals with terminal illnesses find peace and acceptance, as well as reduce the fear of death.

Ketamine vs Psilocybin

Now that we’ve discussed the science behind these two psychedelics, let’s compare and contrast their effects and potential therapeutic uses.

Length of Psychedelic Effects

Both ketamine and psilocybin produce psychedelic effects, that is, alterations in perception, cognition, and mood. Psilocybin can last for hours with a lengthy come-down period while ketamine tends to last around 90 minutes with a relatively shorter landing period.

Therapeutic Uses

Ketamine has shown promise in treating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. Psilocybin has also been studied for its potential to treat depression and anxiety, as well as help individuals overcome addiction and find peace with terminal illnesses. However, more research on psilocybin is needed to extract its full potential and mitigate its side effects.

Current Research and Long-Term Effects

Currently, research has been limited mostly to humans with clinical trials. More studies are needed on the long-term effects of these psychedelics, psilocybin plants, and mushrooms.

Pioneering plant-based psychedelic research companies such as The Psyence Group, based in Canada, and the Biotech Research and Development Institute (BRDI), located in Jamaica are leading the charge in researching the therapeutic potential of psilocybin (magic mushrooms).

Safety and Regulation

Ketamine has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of mental health conditions in the United States since 1970, while psilocybin is currently illegal in most countries including the USA.  However, certain states have begun to decriminalize the possession of personal use quantities of mescaline and psilocybin mushrooms such as Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California.

These loosening regulations reflect the potential of these psychedelics to become more widely accepted for treating a variety of mental health issues as well as its socially approved uses.

Ketamine Therapy At Home

Ketamine and psilocybin both offer potential therapeutic benefits and have been the focus of considerable research in recent years. Although Ketamine is thoroughly researched and FDA-approved, more studies are needed to better understand psilocybin and its long-term effects. Despite this, both ketamine and psilocybin show promise for treating various mental health conditions and substance abuse problems.

At Impact Psychedelics, we provide ketamine therapy at home to help individuals suffering from treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Some conditions include major depressive disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and so on. We prioritize your comfort and safety, so you can be sure that our treatment plans are personalized and tailored to your needs.

Contact us today for more information about our ketamine therapy plans today!

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girl happily running towards sunset in green grass

Navigating the World of Esketamine and Ketamine: A Beginner’s Guide

Navigating the world of Esketamine and Ketamine for mental health can be like getting lost in a dark, winding forest. You know that somewhere out there is the right medication with the potential to help you achieve normalcy, but it’s hard to know which way to go or what direction will get you there.

Esketamine and Ketamine are two powerful drugs that have been used for many years to treat mental health disorders. But what is the difference between Esketamine and Ketamine? What research is being done on these medications, and what does the future of Esketamine and Ketamine treatments look like?

In this post, we delve into Esketamine vs Ketamine and how they can help you manage any mental health conditions.

Esketamine Vs Ketamine: What Are They?

Ketamine’s history is a long one. It was first synthesized in 1960 and has since been used as an anesthetic and analgesic drug. During this era, it was mostly used on soldiers during the Vietnam War and found its way into recreational use in the late 1990s. It also became the veterinarian drug of choice for veterinary anesthesia.

Esketamine, on the other hand, was developed slightly later and is the S form of Ketamine. Many may find the two drugs to be interchangeable, as Esketamine is considered a close relative of Ketamine. While both drugs have an effect on treating mental health disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, chronic pain, and depression, there are quite a few differences between the two.

The Differences Between Esketamine And Ketamine

When it comes to Esketamine vs. Ketamine, there are a few key differences to take note of.

Their Molecular Makeup

Esketamine is the S enantiomer of Ketamine, which means that Esketamine is the active ingredient in Ketamine. Esketamine (Spravato) has a lower bioavailability (54%) than intravenous Ketamine(100%), which means that Esketamine is less effective than intravenous Ketamine.

The Way They’re Administered

Esketamine is typically administered as a nasal spray and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine, on the other hand, is most commonly administered intravenously or intramuscularly.

Their Side Effects

Esketamine and Ketamine both have similar side effects such as confusion, disorientation, and drowsiness. Esketamine usually produces fewer and milder side effects than Ketamine. However, Esketamine is less likely to cause respiratory depression and has fewer cardiovascular effects, making Esketamine a safer option for those with heart issues.

Patient Experience

Compared to IV and IM treatments, Esketamine offers a much more comfortable and convenient experience for patients. IV Ketamine has to be administered three times a week which is burdensome for some, while Esketamine only requires outpatient administration that lasts a few minutes.

Medical Use Of Esketamine And Ketamine

When it comes to depression, Esketamine and Ketamine should not be the first line of treatment. Rather, if you fail at least two antidepressant treatments, Esketamine or Ketamine could be a valid option as they are effective for treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It is also effective against major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior.

The Mechanism of Action (MOA) of both Esketamine and Ketamine is the blockage of NMDA receptors, making them both CNS depressants. This also results in more serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine found circulating in the brain.

Legal and Regulatory Status

Esketamine (Spravato) was approved by the FDA in 2019 for the treatment of depression, and it is only available by prescription. Esketamine can be administered at certified medical centers or clinics where a healthcare professional can monitor and supervise the patient. Esketamine is a schedule 3 drug in the USA. Ketamine is also classified as a schedule III drug and is only available with written prescriptions from doctors.

Current Research and Future Developments

Esketamine is proven to be effective for treating MDD and TRD. In fact, it was shown that patients had a rapid and robust reduction of major depressive symptoms compared to the placebo group. Similarly, besides Lithium, Esketamine is the only additional drug that is proven to be effective in major depressive disorders with suicidal ideation.

Ketamine is an effective treatment for depression and has been used off-label to treat mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and chronic pain. Countless clinical research has shown that Ketamine is effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Recent studies show that Ketamine is effective in treating symptoms of depression with anxiety after 2 weeks and 1 month of the last dose of ketamine, it is promising for long-term use.

A True Breakthrough In Mental Health

Esketamine and Ketamine are two promising drugs for treating mental health disorders. Both drugs have proven to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, from depression to anxiety.

Here at Impact Psychedelics, we believe Ketamine offers an opportunity for those who have failed other treatments for MDD or also suffer from other mental illnesses. It is a true breakthrough for mental health and we strive to provide you with effective psychedelic treatment options to help you manage your mental health condition.

Learn more about how we can help you find a treatment plan that works for you.

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