Spravato and Neurotransmitters 

Recently, Rochester Holistic Psychiatry was pleased to announce that we now offer Spravato, an esketamine-based antidepressant. We look forward to future developments concerning Spravato and other medications to help our patients achieve a better quality of life. Today, we’re going to take a look at how Spravato works with our neurotransmitters. 

One of the main benefits of Spravato is that it boosts production of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate is one of the most important and abundant neurotransmitters in the brain. It has a great influence on our brain’s ability to communicate with itself and the rest of our bodies. It also helps regulate learning and memory. With increased levels of glutamate enabling our bodies to talk to itself more clearly, patients taking Spravato experience benefits like these: 

− Fewer anxiety attacks 

− Lower levels of ambient anxiety 

− Stronger brain cell development 

− Greater brain cell retention 

− Improved impulse control 

− A calmer, more stable disposition 

− Reduced instances of self-harm 

− Reduced suicidal ideation 

With improved information flow in the brain, Spravato patients benefit more from the production and transmission of other neurotransmitters. These include: 

− Dopamine, the “feel good” chemical, linked to our senses of pleasure and reward 

− Norepinephrine, low levels of which are linked to lack of energy and difficulty concentrating 

− Cortisol, the “stress hormone,” responsible for danger responses and keeping us alert 

Spravato is easy to administer and is done so under the supervision of a medical professional to make sure that it is taken properly and that the patient does not have any adverse reactions that could cause injury or distress. This close oversight is also meant to prevent abuse of the substance. Relief of symptoms is felt rapidly, sometimes within the hour. However, esketamine is not a curative, but rather a maintenance medication. 

Esketamine is not for everyone, and any new health regiment should begin with a consultation with your primary physician. Spravato is meant for patients for whom other treatments have not worked or no longer work. For more information, write to us on our website or call (585) 442-6960.