Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) afflicts up to 10% of adolescents. Ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has shown potential as a rapid-acting and long-lasting treatment for MDD in adults. While ketamine therapy is primarily known for its efficacy in treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD, its direct connection to weight loss is not well-established. In this article, we delve into the potential relationship between ketamine and weight loss, examining the available research, potential mechanisms, and the impact of ketamine on body composition.
Ketamine: An Overview
Ketamine has a long history of use in medical settings as an anesthetic and analgesic. Its effectiveness and safety have made it a valuable tool in surgical procedures and pain management. Ketamine's ability to modulate neurotransmitter activity in the brain has led to its exploration as a potential treatment for depression and anxiety. Unlike traditional antidepressant medications, which often require weeks to take effect, ketamine has been shown to rapidly alleviate symptoms in some individuals.
In addition to its use as an antidepressant, ketamine has also been utilized in the management of chronic pain. Conditions such as fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain can cause significant discomfort and decrease quality of life. Ketamine therapy can provide numerous benefits for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, or chronic pain. The rapid onset of its effects allows for quick symptom relief and increased functionality.
Ketamine's Impact on Mental Health
Ketamine is widely recognized for its rapid antidepressant effects, particularly in individuals who have not found relief with traditional treatments. It is also used in lower doses for managing chronic pain conditions, providing significant relief to patients suffering from long-term pain. Ketamine might have a positive effect on sleep, especially in people with treatment-resistant depression. Research shows that not only does ketamine lift mood, but it also improves sleeping patterns. This includes better slow-wave and REM sleep, which are important for restorative sleep. Deep sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings seem to play a significant role in reducing symptoms of depression and even stopping suicidal thoughts.
Beyond treating specific conditions, ketamine therapy benefits overall well-being by promoting emotional stability, reducing chronic stress, improving sleep patterns, and increasing neuroplasticity, which promotes healthier brain function.
Read also: Benefits of couples massage detailed
Depression and Weight Changes
Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Depression can affect appetite in different ways. Some individuals may experience a loss of appetite, leading to weight loss. They may have little interest in food and find it difficult to eat regular meals. On the other hand, some individuals may turn to food for comfort and emotional support.
Fluctuations in weight caused by depression can have a profound impact on physical health. Moreover, mood disorders like depression can affect overall well-being and motivation, making it challenging for individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. The correlation between depression and weight changes highlights the need for comprehensive treatment strategies that address both mental health and physical well-being.
Ketamine and Weight: Exploring the Connection
One of the common concerns surrounding ketamine therapy is whether it causes weight gain. While there is limited research specifically examining the relationship between ketamine and weight changes, some individuals have reported weight fluctuations during and after ketamine treatment. However, it is important to note that weight changes can be influenced by various factors, including individual differences, lifestyle factors, and concurrent treatments. Weight changes with ketamine use may vary from person to person, and it is crucial to consider the multifaceted nature of weight regulation. Therefore, it is essential to approach the topic of ketamine and weight gain with caution. While some individuals may experience weight fluctuations, it is not yet determined whether ketamine directly causes weight gain or loss.
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Ketamine on Metabolism and Appetite
Ketamine, a powerful medication used for anesthesia and pain relief, has notable physiological effects on the body. In the short term, ketamine has been shown to increase metabolism and suppress appetite. This means that individuals who receive ketamine therapy may experience an increase in their metabolic rate, which can contribute to weight loss. However, the long-term impact of ketamine on body weight is still being studied and is less understood. It is essential to note that weight changes associated with ketamine use can be influenced by various factors, including individual differences, lifestyle choices, and concurrent treatments.
Ketamine vs. Other Antidepressants: Weight Gain Potential
When considering the potential impact of ketamine on weight gain, it is important to compare it to other commonly prescribed antidepressants. Many antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been associated with weight gain as a side effect. Antidepressants can have various side effects, including weight gain. This is particularly common with SSRIs, which are frequently prescribed for conditions such as depression and anxiety. While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, it is believed that SSRIs may affect metabolism, appetite, and the body’s ability to regulate weight. Ketamine has a different mechanism of action compared to SSRIs, which may contribute to differences in weight gain potential. While ketamine is primarily used as an anesthetic and analgesic, it has shown promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant. Its impact on weight remains under investigation, but early research suggests that ketamine may have a neutral or even weight-reducing effect.
Read also: How digestive health affects weight loss
Ketamine as an Alternative Treatment for Weight Management
While ketamine is not specifically marketed as a weight management solution, it may indirectly contribute to healthier lifestyle choices. When individuals are struggling with mental health conditions, it can be challenging to prioritize healthy habits. Depression and anxiety can often lead to decreased motivation, poor self-care, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as binge-eating or emotional eating. Improvements in mood and motivation can lead to increased physical activity, making it easier for individuals to engage in regular exercise. Physical activity not only contributes to weight management but also improves overall health and well-being. Ketamine therapy primarily focuses on addressing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, and its effects on weight are secondary. Weight management requires a holistic approach, encompassing various factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, and emotional well-being.
Ketamine and GLP-1 drugs
Ketamine infusions and GLP-1 drugs are making waves in weight loss treatments. GLP-1 peptides include Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Ketamine, known for its mental health benefits, such as OCD, depression, and PTSD, is now being explored for weight management. Both options target the brain’s relationship with food. Ketamine may help reset neural pathways related to eating behaviors. These treatments go beyond traditional diet and exercise methods. They address the complex nature of weight gain and obesity. Healthcare providers are taking notice of these innovative approaches.
GLP-1 drugs have revolutionized diabetes and weight loss treatments. Medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide mimic natural hormones. These drugs slow down digestion and increase feelings of fullness. Users often report a significant reduction in hunger and cravings. GLP-1 medications are typically self-administered as injections. Patients usually take them once a week. Many users experience dramatic changes in their eating habits. They often feel satisfied with smaller portions and have less interest in snacking.
The idea of combining ketamine and GLP-1 drugs is gaining interest. Each treatment addresses different aspects of weight management. Ketamine might help reset the mental patterns around food. GLP-1 drugs could then maintain those changes physiologically. Some clinics are already exploring this dual approach. Early reports suggest it could be more effective than either treatment alone. The potential synergy opens up new possibilities in obesity treatment. It represents a more holistic approach to weight management.
Ketamine for Weight Loss: Study in Rats
Adolescent male rats (postnatal day [PD] 35) received two ketamine (0, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) injections, 4 hours apart, after exposure to day 1 of the forced swim test (FST). The next day, rats were re-exposed to the FST to assess ketamine-induced antidepressant-like responses. Separate groups were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to confirm findings from the FST. After these initial experiments, adolescent naïve rats were exposed to either 1 or 15 consecutive days (PD35-49) of ketamine (20 mg/kg) twice/daily. Ketamine's influence on behavioral reactivity to rewarding (i.e., sucrose preference) and aversive (i.e., elevated plus-maze, FST) circumstances was then assessed 2 months after treatment. Ketamine (20 mg/kg) reversed the CUS-induced depression-like behaviors in the FST. Repeated ketamine exposure resulted in anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses 2 months after drug exposure. Repeated ketamine exposure induces enduring resilient-like responses regardless of age of exposure.
Read also: Weight Loss Meds & BCBS
Exposure to CUS affected weight gain in adolescent rats (Figure 2A; n=31). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that while rats gained weight as they matured (within-subject main effect: F(18,522)=2707.444, p<0.001), CUS significantly reduced bodyweight (between-subject main effect: F(1,522)=57.081, p<0.001) when compared to controls. There was a significant interaction between days and stress (F(18,522)=50.181, p<0.001). Fifteen days of ketamine treatment reduced weight gain in both adolescent (Figure 4A) and adult rats (Figure 4B). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed changes in bodyweight across days (F(34,612)=2642.339, p<0.001), drug (F(1,612)=5.932, p<0.05), and as a function of day by drug (F(34,612)=6.907, p<0.001) in adolescents. Although ketamine-treated rats gained weight at a lower rate than controls, Noyholt corrections for multiple comparisons indicated significantly reduced bodyweights only on days 9 and 11 of treatment (p<0.05). Nevertheless, adolescents' bodyweight remained lower, and was accompanied by reduced daily food intake (t(18)=4.933, p<0.001; Fig.
Ketamine reduced adult weight gain in a similar fashion as the adolescents (Fig. 4B). The ANOVA revealed changes in weight across days (F(34,612)=45887.454, p<0.001), drug (F(1,612)=5.269, p<0.05), and as a function of day by drug (F(34,612)=3.83, p<0.001). Nyholt corrections revealed lower bodyweights on days 4, 6, and 8-10 of treatment (p<0.05); but similarly to adolescents, adult rats displayed lower bodyweights and reduced daily food intake (t(18)=4.476, p<0.001; Fig.
Ketamine Adjuvant Treatment (KAT) for Eating Disorders (EDs)
Eating disorders (EDs) significantly impair physical health and psychosocial functioning. Few effective therapeutic approaches exist for EDs, particularly in Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The use of ketamine, already characterized as a noncompetitive NMDA antagonist anesthetic in depression and suicidal ideations, could be an innovative adjuvant treatment for the AN spectrum.
From June 2021 to July 2023, KAT was offered to all patients with restrictive ED admitted to a full-time psychiatric inpatient unit at the University Hospital of Nîmes. Eligible patients had previously not responded to standard treatments aimed at improving food intake and weight gain and did not have other somatic comorbidities or affective disorder comorbidities. None of the patients who were offered KAT declined the treatment.
KAT consisted of perfusion of ketamine over 40-50 min, once or twice a week. According to the literature, the usual dosing of ketamine was based on 0.5 mg/kg. Doses were modified depending on clinical tolerance and response, with a minimum administered dose of 25 mg and a maximum of 40 mg in our sample.
KAT significantly improved BMI, with a coefficient of 0.71 (0.23-1.20, p = 0.002), with a tendency to improve weight regain dynamics from the fourth or fifth infusion onwards. It could also reduce AN psychopathology and obsessive-compulsive-like symptoms (ruminations, cognitive rigidity, guilt), improving clinical evolution.
These findings underscore the potential of KAT as a therapeutic approach for restrictive EDs as an adjuvant treatment or after failure of first-line treatments. It particularly addresses rigid thought patterns and neurocognitive biases that are notoriously difficult to target. Ketamine’s “pro-plasticity” and “pro-neurogenesis” properties may facilitate this effect. KAT represents a potential tool after failure of first-line treatments.
Potential Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy has shown promise in treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. By alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety, ketamine therapy can potentially improve motivation, mood, and overall well-being.
While ketamine therapy is not specifically designed for weight loss, it can have several indirect benefits that may influence weight:
- Improved Mental Health: Ketamine's ability to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety can lead to better lifestyle choices. Individuals with improved mental health are more likely to engage in physical activities and adopt healthier eating habits, contributing to weight loss.
- Reduction in Emotional Eating: Many people struggling with weight issues often turn to food as a coping mechanism for emotional distress. By alleviating the symptoms of depression and anxiety, ketamine therapy may reduce the tendency for emotional eating.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy
However, it is essential to consider the potential side effects of ketamine therapy. These may include dissociation, increased blood pressure, and dizziness. While ketamine therapy offers many benefits, it does come with potential short-term side effects, like dizziness, drowsiness, feeling “high,” or nausea. Some people may experience a sense of dissociation (feeling detached from themselves or reality) or mild euphoria during or after treatment. Less commonly, there can be increases in blood pressure or heart rate. When used frequently or in high doses, there’s a risk of memory issues, mood changes, or bladder problems.
As with any prescription medication, ketamine can cause adverse effects. When you receive ketamine therapy from a trusted, reputable professional, your risk of serious ketamine side effects is limited. Ketamine therapy can be safe when it is provided by a qualified professional in an appropriate environment. Also, you should never lose sight of the fact that ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic that can cause considerable harm if misused or abused. Yes, ketamine can be addictive. Part of your intake assessment should involve a review of your history with substance use and addiction.