We begin with a comprehensive evaluation to determine if esketamine is the right treatment option for you.

5 Benefits of Spravato (Nasal Esketamine Spray)

Spravato (Esketamine nasal spray) is a relatively new treatment in the world of psychiatry, and we are very excited about it. However, we totally understand why people may be skeptical about it. Esketamine is derived from ketamine, which is known as a party drug and has negative associations within our society. Over the years, there have been plenty of scientific studies that show the amazing benefits of Spravato (Esketamine nasal spray). Let’s go over these benefits, starting with the fact that it has FDA approval!

1. Spravato (Esketamine) treats depression

In 2019, esketamine nasal spray (with the brand name Spravato) became FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression in adults. It was also the only FDA-approved psychiatric drug for major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation in adults.

Spravato works at treating depression differently than antidepressants. Antidepressants traditionally target certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. However, Spravato uniquely targets the glutamate system. Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. With the dosage used to treat depression, esketamine binds to the inhibitory neurons in your brain. The result causes net excitation in the areas of the brain that are part of the depression circuit. (Very scientific stuff, yes.) 

Ultimately, Spravato functions differently in the brain compared to medications and antidepressants. If you’ve been trying antidepressants with no relief of your symptoms or have experienced bad side effects, then maybe Spravato could work better for your brain or body. We’ve found that 69% of patients show improvement in their depression symptoms with Spravato after just eight treatments.

2. It can help with other mental health disorders, too

While Spravato is only FDA-approved for adult treatment-resistant depression and MDD with acute suicidal ideation, it can also help with other mental health conditions. Many people who get Spravato for their depression also experience other conditions like OCD, anxiety, or an eating disorder. Again, Spravato is only approved for depression, but it is possible that you may experience relief in other areas of your mental health when going through esketamine treatments.

3. Spravato (Esketamine) helps your brain to grow and change

When it comes to depression and other mental health conditions, people tend to develop a habit or pattern of negative thinking that gets ingrained over time. Spravato activates neuroplasticity, which is the ability of your brain to grow and change. Because of this benefit of activating your brain’s neuroplasticity, you are better able to become “unstuck” from those negative thought patterns. Becoming unstuck helps people overcome their depression and can be another reason why people find that Spravato can also help with other mental health conditions.

4. Enter an expanded state of consciousness

While this can sound quite woo-woo, Spravato allows people to enter an expanded state of consciousness. It does this by creating a dissociative effect in the user, which is a natural effect of the medication. The word “dissociation” can have a negative meaning as many people think of it as a trauma response. However, when talking about Spravato, the word takes on a different meaning.

During treatment, you may feel removed from yourself and experience a distortion in your senses. For example, some people say they feel like they’re watching themself in a video game or they see themself in a field. Or it looks like one hand is larger than the other or that it feels like two hours went by in 15 minutes. Everyone’s experiences can be unique. This effect doesn’t cause delusions or hallucinations but an expanded state of consciousness, as most people still feel very grounded in where they actually are our providers often tells patients to not be afraid but curious about it.

5. Spravato (Esketamine) can help with processing past events

When tapping into this expanded state of consciousness through dissociation, it’s quite common for people to access and experience prior memories. These memories can be good ones, but they can also be bad memories that might have been walled off in some way as a type of defense mechanism. When this happens, people can work through those memories and process those events in a way they haven’t been able to before.

Our providers have witnessed patients work through very painful memories during their sessions and experience immense relief afterward. She believes this factor is one of the bigger Spravato benefits.

Experience the benefits of Spravato (Esketamine nasal spray)

When it comes to mental health treatment, it is worth it to explore your options. If you have any questions or would like to find out more about Spravato, contact CNS Mental Wellness today by calling at (240) 439-4110 or by using our appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you!

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