During the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, U.S. military doctors used ketamine to help relieve severe pain in injured soldiers. Even today, doctors use ketamine through IV therapy to help relieve chronic pain. This powerful but often misunderstood drug is changing the way we treat both chronic and sudden pain. It targets the pain receptors in the brain in a unique way that most medications fail to do so. The best thing is that it can start relieving pain within minutes, sometimes as quickly as 30 seconds to 10 minutes after it’s given.
Timeframe for Ketamine to Begin Easing Pain
Ketamine helps relieve pain mainly by blocking the NMDA receptors in the brain and spinal cord. These receptors are involved in sending and increasing pain signals, especially in long-lasting or intense pain. By blocking them, ketamine helps stop pain signals, lowers sensitivity to pain (called hyperalgesia), and can even make opioid medications work better.
Besides NMDA receptors, ketamine also affects other parts of the nervous system, including opioid receptors, certain mood-related chemicals, and pathways involved in inflammation. It even helps the body’s natural pain-control systems work more effectively.
Ketamine can give fast and strong pain relief, often within 30 seconds to 10 minutes after an IV treatment. Depending on the dose and treatment length, the relief can last from a few minutes to several days or even weeks.
Ketamine Dose for Chronic Pain
Ketamine dosing for chronic pain depends on how it’s given and the patient’s needs. The goal is to use low doses to reduce side effects while still helping with pain.
IV (intravenous) infusions
These infusions are usually done in a clinic. Starting doses are often around 0.1 to 0.3 mg per kg of body weight as a one-time dose, repeated every few hours. It may also be given continuously at 0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg/hour. In some cases, specialists may go up to 1 mg/kg/hour. For conditions like complex regional pain syndrome or spinal cord injuries, IV infusions may last several hours a day over a few days, using doses between 0.25 and 0.75 mg/kg/hour.
Oral ketamine
Usually starts at about 0.5 mg/kg per dose, taken 3 to 4 times a day (around 150 mg per day). The dose can be slowly increased depending on how the patient responds. Though it’s not studied as much, oral ketamine can be helpful for long-term nerve pain.
Subcutaneous infusions
This method uses a small needle under the skin and delivers a steady, low dose (like 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg/hour). It’s usually done under the care of a specialist using a smart pump to control the dose accurately.
How Often Do You Get Ketamine Infusions for Pain?
Ketamine infusions for pain are usually given in a series of treatments. Most people start with six to eight sessions over two to three weeks. This phase is called the “induction phase” and helps build up pain relief over time. After that, some people need follow-up or “booster” infusions every few weeks or months to keep the pain under control. These booster sessions are usually spaced one to three weeks apart, but the schedule can vary depending on your condition and how well you respond to the treatment.
Closing Note
Chronic pain can take away your comfort and affect your daily life. However, solutions like ketamine infusions work in seconds for quick pain relief. Since treatments happen in a medical setting, your care is closely watched and adjusted to fit your needs.
Visit our medical professionals at Balanced Ketamine for a personalized treatment plan that helps manage chronic pain conditions. Call us at (913) 871-9888 to book an appointment.