Ketamine's Surprising Benefits for Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you’re suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you know how your life can change in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s from a car accident, fall, or sports injury, TBIs not only affect your brain, but your emotions, relationships, and sense of self.

Thankfully, we offer treatment for TBI at Wyckoff Wellness Center in Wyckoff, New Jersey. You may have heard about ketamine as a treatment for depression or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and now it’s showing promising results for people recovering from a TBI.

Our psychiatric specialist, Michael Gentile, MD, shares more about the benefits of ketamine infusion therapy for TBIs in this month’s blog, but first, let’s define what constitutes a TBI.

What is a TBI?

A TBI happens when a sudden jolt or blow to your head causes damage to your brain. This could range from a mild concussion to a more severe brain injury that interferes with your ability to think, manage emotions, and function independently.

Telltale symptoms of a TBI include:

Memory issues
Brain fog
Trouble concentrating
Volatile moods
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Depression
Anxiety

These symptoms can persist for months (and sometimes years) after the injury. Therapy and rehabilitation can help, but you may feel your progress is too slow.

Ketamine can fast-track healing with these surprising benefits

Ketamine is an anesthetic that hospitals throughout the world use safely. Lower doses of ketamine via IV infusions rapidly improve mood, especially in people with treatment-resistant depression.

Ketamine provides these incredible benefits when you’re dealing with a TBI:

Reduces brain inflammation, the key factor in TBI-related damage
Promotes neuroplasticity, which helps your brain form new connections
Reduces the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD that often occur after a brain injury
Improves cognitive performance

What’s more, ketamine acts fast, often within hours.

What to expect during ketamine treatment

At Wyckoff Wellness Center, Dr. Gentile administers ketamine treatment in a warm, calm, inviting environment. You recline or lie down comfortably while receiving a customized ketamine dose through an IV. You may feel a relaxing, floating sensation.

Sessions are typically about an hour, and Dr. Gentile monitors you during a short recovery time before you head home. Depending on your symptoms, you may need 4-6 treatments over a month or two.

Is ketamine right for you?

If a TBI has you battling brain fog, fatigue, erratic mood swings, or anxiety, turn to our compassionate and skilled expert, Dr. Gentile, to help you map a new path forward with ketamine infusion therapy. There’s help and hope beyond traditional approaches.

Call our office to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation. You can also contact us online to request an appointment.