KETAMINE THERAPY
an adjunct to holistic care
the process
All clients will undergo a comprehensive preparation visit or visits, depending on the need. This will include a medical and psychiatric evaluation, and may require laboratory testing, urine pregnancy testing, and an ECG. We will also discuss your goals with seeking ketamine treatment to create a session tailored for your needs.
On the day that you will receive ketamine, we ask that you set aside 3- hours for the entire experience. The first 45 minutes we will take to do grounding exercises, including breathwork, meditation with or without sound, and discussing your intentions. Ketamine will then be administered intramuscularly in your upper arm, and the experience will last around 60 minutes. Your vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and respiratory rate, will be taken at at various points of your journey. You will be given the option to listen to music either live, recorded, or a mix of both, or remain in silence for the journey. Afterwards, we will spend 1- hour integrating the experience together, which can take many forms; sitting in silence, speaking about the experience, journaling, and more. You will not be able to drive after your session, so please arrange transportation home.
THE EVIDENCE
Ketamine has been shown to rapidly improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and has an excellent safety profile.
It also shows benefits in conditions including social anxiety disorder, chronic PTSD, and other treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, including OCD.
When combined with mindfulness-based practices, ketamine can promote abstinence in alcohol-use disorder by helping rewrite harmful memories around rewards with drinking.
Ketamine has been shown to support existential grief, depression, and anxiety at end-of-life.
FAQs
What does ketamine feel like?
Ketamine alters states of consciousness, and can produce visions, feelings of calm, euphoria, and relaxation. You may feel separate or distant from your body. People report that ruminating feelings or ideas lessen, giving more space from challenging feelings and experiences.
is ketamine therapy dangerous?
Ketamine at doses we administer are considered extremely safe. There are situations in which ketamine therapy can be dangerous for certain individuals, including those with liver disease, a history of psychosis or mania, cardiac/heart problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or dissociative disorders.
ARE THERE ANY NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS TO KETAMINE?
Ketamine can induce feelings of ‘intoxication,’ or dizziness, and can infrequently cause headaches or nausea during its administration. These symptoms resolve after the effects of the medicine wear off.
how does ketamine work?
Ketamine is an NMDA- receptor antagonist, and modulates glutamate, and excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. By controlling this neurotransmitter, it can help induce changes in brain chemistry, alleviating mental health symptoms.
is this covered by insurance?
Ketamine therapy is not covered by insurance at this time.
how frequently will I need ketamine therapy?
Every individual is different, and some may need more infusions than others. We recommend three infusions to begin, as data suggests repeated infusions to be more helpful in relieving mental health symptoms. Ketamine therapy is best supported by outpatient psychotherapy and/or integration to help ensure its maximal benefits.