FAQs

Ketamine is an anesthetic & analgesic medication created in 1962. It is classified as a dissociative anesthetic and was approved by the FDA in 1970.

Ketamine is a versatile medicine and possibly the most widely used anesthetic in the world. The World Health Organization has listed ketamine on their Essential medicines List since 1985.

As an anesthetic drug, it is safer than others as it does not depress breathing or lower blood pressure and does not require expensive monitoring equipment.

In 2000, research was started on the use of Ketamine for depression. Its dissociative effects are what appears to be helpful in the use against depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and PTSD.

Ketamine is frequently used as a better choice of medication for children and the elderly because it is safer than other anesthetics as it does not depress breathing or lower blood pressure and does not require expensive monitoring equipment.

Ketamine overdose and dependence is rare, however chronic abuse can cause side effects which include urinary tract problems.

Ketamine can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, so you must be screened prior to treatment. This is a temporary effect, but If you currently have hypertension or heart conditions it must be well managed by your family doctor, before receiving ketamine treatments.

Ketamine can produce feelings of drowsiness, floating, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision and feelings of detachment or disconnection from reality may arise.

Most of these feelings are temporary and go away when the treatment is over.

Blocking Glutamate receptors and quieting the DMN has shown to have positive effects for people that suffer from:

• Treatment Resistant Depression
• Post-Partum Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Severe Anxiety and other Mood Disorders
• Drug/Alcohol Addiction
• Chronic pain syndromes like CRPS and Fibromyalgia

Our Ketamine treatment is at a low dosage, spaced days apart and delivered under professional guidance making the risk incredibly low.

Ketamine has been used as an illicit party drug for several decades and has the potential for addiction if used frequently in large amounts.

Ketamine dependence is rare, however chronic abuse can cause side effects including urinary tract problems.

As a medicine, ketamine is only a tool, not a cure.

Ketamine triggers the release of certain neurochemicals and effects certain areas of the brain.

Ketamine’s altered state can create conditions of relational and psychological openness.  

Psychotherapy sessions are meant to build that sense of connection and trust between you and your treatment team.

Combining ketamine with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and lifestyle modifications such as nutrition, mindfulness and meditation, creates the best combination for relieving your suffering.

Delivering medications intravenously is the fastest and most accurate way to give Ketamine. 

The delivery can be adjusted easily to tailor the dosage that works best for each person. Individuals require a range of dosage to be effective, by using an IV  the amount of ketamine you receive can be easily tailored to your treatment.

Spravato, is a nasal spray approved by the FDA in 2019 for treatment resistant depression.

It works like IV ketamine for depression but is harder to tailor the dosage and does not deliver the same effects reliably as IV ketamine. Spravato, does also need to be given in an office space so that you can be monitored closely.

Spravato works well for booster treatments and provides another tool in the treatment for depression.

Prior to treatment a health history and screening will be performed.  Anyone with uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, history of psychosis, current substance abuse or dependence do not qualify for ketamine treatment.

Anyone with a history of interstitial cystitis or bladder problems will need further screening and medical clearance.

Ketamine for depression, anxiety, mood disorders and chronic pain are considered “off label” uses of an FDA medication.

Off label uses of medications are not covered by most insurance plans. You may use your HSA or FSA funds to pay for treatment.

You may be able to seek reimbursement for the consultation/evaluation session and integration sessions with your psychotherapist. We can provide you with billing statements to submit to your insurance plan.

https://reason.com/2017/03/21/american-psychiatric-association-says-ke/

YES, you should continue taking your prescribed medications. Some people will find they can begin reducing or eliminate their prescriptions. It is dangerous to stop taking them altogether and you should work with your doctor or therapist to adjust your antidepressant medications. 

The best results happen when performing Ketamine Assisted Therapy with a mental health provider.

Since nausea can affect some people during Ketamine treatment it is required to have nothing to eat prior to your treatment. You may eat afterwards If you feel good.

Plan for 90 mins to 2 hours for the first one or two treatments which include consultation and thorough review of your medical history. Subsequent treatments will generally only take around 1 hour.

Since Ketamine is an anesthesia medication, it is unsafe to drive the day of your treatment. A ride home will need to be present.