Antidepressants vs Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato) and Weight Gain
The Relationship Between Depression, Antidepressants and Weight Gain
When people think of depression, they often associate the illness with sadness and a loss of energy. The truth is, clinical depression is more than a period of being “stuck in the blues.” It is a persistent mental illness that can occur cyclically and last for long periods of time. Depression can also lead to weight gain and obesity. In fact, studies show a person who is depressed has an increased risk of becoming obese. Alternatively, a person who is obese has an increased risk of becoming depressed.
When a person is depressed, the part of their brain responsible for emotion is known as the limbic system, which controls our fight or flight response, appetite, and sexual desire.
Traditional treatments for depression include medications like SSRIs or SNRIs or other new generation antidepressants. Unfortunately, some studies show that certain antidepressant medications can cause a weight gain of 10 pounds or more.
The relationship between depression, weight gain and antidepressants is complex. Inactivity and overeating are two factors commonly associated with depression. These two elements, combined with an antidepressant linked to weight gain, can cause a person to fall into a deeper depression if body issues arise.
A New Treatment for Depression Without the Weight Gain Side Effects
Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato) is an innovative antidepressant that provide rapid relief of depressive symptoms without causing weight gain as a side effect.
Some patients report relief within hours after treatment. Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato)’s rapid action can help lift the depression veil and help a patient feel better much sooner than traditional antidepressants. This type of rapid treatment can help people return to a healthy lifestyle which, in theory, eliminates the unhealthy side effects (like overeating and inactivity) associated with depression.
Patients who come to The Centers of Psychiatric Excellence (COPE) clinics have tried other treatments, to no avail, and are looking for something more revolutionary than the standard protocol. If you or someone you love is suffering from one of these treatment-resistant mental illnesses, we encourage you to reach out to a COPE supported center today.