Analgesia

Navigate the world of Ketamine with clarity and confidence. Our glossary simplifies the essential terms, empowering you to support every learner’s journey.

What is Analgesia

Analgesia refers to the process of reducing or taking away pain while the person is still awake and alert. It is commonly used in medical care to help people feel more comfortable during treatments or after injuries. Analgesia can also be helpful in mental health treatment because physical pain can sometimes make emotional symptoms worse. By easing pain, analgesia can help people feel better both physically and emotionally.

Types of Analgesia

Non-Opioid Analgesia

These include medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen, used for mild to moderate pain. They reduce inflammation and discomfort without significant side effects or addiction risk.

Opioid Analgesia

Strong painkillers such as morphine and fentanyl fall into this category. They are typically reserved for severe pain and act by blocking pain signals in the brain. Due to their addictive potential, they require careful medical oversight.

Local Analgesia

These medicines numb a small, specific area of the body and are commonly used in dental procedures or minor surgeries. They allow the patient to remain awake without feeling pain in the targeted region.

Pain and Mental Health

People with mental health conditions frequently experience physical pain
Pain may stem from tension, stress, or past trauma
Common complaints include back pain, stomach pain, and muscle aches
Ongoing pain can worsen emotional symptoms like anxiety or depression
Managing physical pain often contributes to emotional healing

Ketamine and Pain Relief

Ketamine is sometimes used in mental health treatment
It can reduce both physical and emotional pain
Administered in low, controlled doses by a medical provider
May help alleviate symptoms of depression and PTSD

Risks of Analgesia

Opioid analgesics carry a risk of addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal
Overuse of non-opioid painkillers can harm the liver or kidneys
Local anesthetics can cause allergic reactions or numbness beyond the target area
Improper use may mask underlying health issues, delaying diagnosis
Mixing medications without guidance can cause dangerous drug interactions

Safety Tips

Always follow your doctor’s dosage and usage instructions
Never exceed the prescribed amount
Use caution with opioids to prevent dependence
Report side effects immediately to your healthcare provider
Pain relief should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan

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What to Expect from Ketamine Therapy?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes hard-to-control worry about everyday life on most days for at

Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is the low-mood phase of bipolar disorder, with sadness, low energy, poor focus,

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation means thoughts about death or ending one’s life, from passive wishes not to

Booster Infusion

A booster infusion is an IV ketamine session given after the initial treatment series when

GAD-7

The GAD-7 is a seven-question screening tool that measures anxiety symptoms over the past two

PHQ-9

The PHQ-9 is a nine-question tool used to screen for depression and measure symptom severity

MAO Inhibitor (MAOI)

MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) are older antidepressants that slow the breakdown of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor)

SNRIs are antidepressants that increase serotonin and norepinephrine signaling by reducing their reuptake. They are

SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)

SSRIs are common antidepressants that reduce serotonin reuptake, increasing its availability between nerve cells over

Induction Series

An induction series is the first, more frequent phase of ketamine-based treatment. For Spravato, the

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment using focused magnetic pulses to stimulate mood-related

Racemic Ketamine

Racemic ketamine contains equal amounts of ketamine’s R and S forms. In psychiatry, IV racemic

Spravato

Spravato is the brand name for esketamine nasal spray, an FDA-approved treatment for adults with

REMS Protocol

The Spravato REMS is an FDA-required safety program for risks such as sedation, dissociation, breathing

Off-Label Use

Off-label use means an FDA-approved medicine is prescribed in a way not approved on its

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein that supports neuron growth, survival, and synaptic plasticity.

Glutamate

Glutamate is the brain’s main excitatory chemical messenger and supports learning, memory, and nerve-cell communication.

NMDA Receptor

The NMDA receptor is a type of glutamate receptor involved in learning, memory, and synaptic

Esketamine

Esketamine is the S form of the ketamine molecule and the active ingredient in Spravato