Plagued by Chronic Migraines? Ketamine Infusion Therapy May Be the Answer

Roughly 40 million Americans suffer from migraines, the third most prevalent illness globally, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Migraines can be debilitating, and they can also be notoriously difficult to relieve and prevent.

While some people have migraines occasionally — called episodic migraines — about 5% of Americans have migraines 15 or more days per month, a condition called chronic migraine. In addition to severe or throbbing head pain, these individuals may suffer from symptoms like nausea, intense sensitivity to smells or light, dizziness, and even changes in vision more than half of every month.

The good news (yes, there is some good news): Research shows ketamine infusion can be very effective in managing chronic migraines, especially for refractory migraines that don’t respond to more traditional therapies. In this post, Peter McAllister, MD, FAAN, and the team at Ki_Ketamine provide a quick overview of ketamine infusion therapy and how it works to quell chronic migraines.

Ketamine infusion 101

Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine has been found to be very effective in treating an array of medical issues in recent years, including mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder when typical treatments aren’t effective. 

Ketamine affects nerve signaling in the brain, optimizing nerve communication pathways while regulating chemicals used in neural communication. It’s these qualities that make ketamine effective in treating mental health issues and in managing migraines, too. 

While many antidepressants and similar medications target chemical neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, ketamine affects a different — and even more common — neurotransmitter called glutamate. Research shows that glutamate plays a key role in both the initiation of migraines and the perpetuation of symptoms.

Ketamine for migraines: How it works

Scientists are still learning the specific ways ketamine infusion affects migraines, but they do know that ketamine helps regulate glutamate levels in the brain, and that’s likely one major way infusion therapy provides migraine sufferers with relief.

Ketamine also helps reduce pain by acting on parts of your nerves called receptors — these areas are like locks designed to interact with specific chemical keys. Receptor interactions produce responses, including the recognition of pain. 

While many pain medications work on opioid receptors, ketamine primarily interacts with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors that play a major role in pain sensitization. In people with chronic migraines, the brain becomes hypersensitive to pain signals. By locking in with these receptors, ketamine may help desensitize the brain so it’s less affected by overactive pain signaling.

Find relief for your migraines

We administer ketamine infusion therapy via an IV drip delivered through a needle placed in your arm. During your therapy session, you simply lie back and relax while the infusion does its job. We supervise you throughout treatment, and Ki_Ketamine even has a therapy dog in the office to enhance your therapeutic experience.

Are you plagued by recurrent migraines? To find out if ketamine infusion is a good choice for helping you manage your migraines, request an appointment online or over the phone today with Dr. McAllister and the team at Ki_Ketamine in Stamford and Westport, Connecticut.