What is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy involves the controlled administration of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, at sub-anesthetic doses for the treatment of various mental health conditions.
How do I know if ketamine is right for me?
- You must have a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, amongst others and are resistant to standard therapies for mental health disorders and chronic pain management.
- Must be 18 years or older. We will consider treatments for patients younger than 18 years old on a case-by-case basis.
- We ask that you fill out a screening form and a release of information consent form to obtain your medical records. We will then schedule you for an initial consultation either via phone or in person to ensure that we feel you are a good candidate for ketamine infusions.
- Once we think you are a good candidate, we can go ahead and schedule your infusions.
Do I need a provider referral?
- Patients are welcome to self-refer. We do require you to sign a release of information to obtain your medical records. We will review your medical records and schedule an initial consultation with you to ensure that you are a good candidate for ketamine infusions.
- We do require that patients are already under the care of a mental health professional, primary care provider, neurologist, or chronic pain specialist to ensure we are providing the best outcomes for your care and experience.
How many infusions do I need?
- We recommend 6 infusions over the course of 2-3 weeks for patients with mental health diagnosis.
- We recommend 8 infusions over the course of 3 weeks for chronic pain patients.
- After the loading phase of 6 or 8 infusions, patients require maintenance infusions that are individualized to meet your needs.
- Some patients experience relief after one infusion but typically patients experience a gradual improvement over the course of treatments.
What is the ketamine experience like?
- Every patient is a little different, but many describe the experience as extremely peaceful and calming. Some patients describe a feeling of floating or “out-of-body.” Many people have different visual experiences and can face certain difficult times in their life with a new perspective.
- Some patients experience some side effects, most commonly nausea. We provide anti-nausea medications during your experience to hopefully prevent this side effect.
- Typically, most patients have returned to their baseline about 2 hours after their infusion.
What is your infusion day like?
- We ask that you only ingest clear liquids up to 2 hours prior to your infusion.
- When you arrive, you will be escorted to your private infusion room.
- We will start an IV and check a baseline set of vital signs, such as your blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate.
- Once we start the infusion, it lasts about 45-60 minutes for patients for mental health. Patients receiving ketamine for chronic pain, the infusions take 2 to 4 hours.
- Our nurse and CRNA will be monitoring your vitals signs closely throughout your infusion.
- The infusion rooms are private and quiet. We make every effort to make the experience comfortable for you. We offer dimmer lighting and soothing music or many patients bring their own choice of music and headphones.
- You must have a ride from the clinic and not be allowed to drive after your infusion.
Is Ketamine safe?
- Yes. Ketamine has been used extensively in hospitals and clinics with low risk profiles. See the science of ketamine section for more information.
- Our team has been using ketamine for years in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
- Kelle Logan, CRNA has been providing ketamine infusions for over 2 years and has even more experience in providing anesthesia to patients.
- See our provider bio’s and about us section for more information on our staff’s experience with ketamine.
Does insurance pay for ketamine treatments?
- At this time, ketamine treatments are typically not covered by insurance.
- However, we can offer you a superbill that you can send to your insurance company. Some companies may consider an out-of network reimbursement. We recommend that you check with your health insurance company to see what options you have.
- You may be able to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for your treatments.
- There are financing options through medical lenders. Contact us for more information.
How much do treatments cost?
We will go over pricing with you during our initial consultation with you either via phone or in person with one of our providers.
How Does Ketamine Work as a Therapy?
Ketamine is believed to modulate certain neurotransmitter systems in the brain, particularly glutamate, leading to rapid antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.
What Conditions or Disorders Can Ketamine Therapy Treat?
Ketamine therapy has shown promise in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders (including PTSD and OCD), bipolar disorder, and chronic pain syndromes.
What is the Treatment Process Like?
The treatment process typically involves a series of sessions, often administered via intravenous infusion, nasal spray, or oral lozenges. The frequency and duration of sessions vary depending on individual response and the condition being treated.
Are There Any Pre-existing Conditions That Exclude Someone from Ketamine Therapy?
Certain medical or psychiatric conditions, such as uncontrolled hypertension, substance use disorders, or psychotic disorders, may contraindicate ketamine therapy. A thorough medical assessment is necessary to determine eligibility.
How Long Does it Take to See Results?
Some individuals may experience rapid improvement in symptoms within hours or days of the first session, while others may require multiple sessions to notice significant effects. Response times vary among individuals.
Are There Alternatives to Ketamine Therapy?
Alternative treatments for mental health conditions include traditional antidepressants, psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and lifestyle modifications. The effectiveness of these alternatives may vary depending on individual circumstances.
What is the Difference Between Ketamine Infusions and Other Forms of Administration?
Ketamine can be administered via various routes, including intravenous infusion, intramuscular injection, oral tablets, nasal spray, and sublingual lozenges. Each route has its own onset of action, duration of effects, and potential side effects. Intravenous infusion is often preferred for its rapid onset and precise dosing.
