Services We Provide

There are several types of ketamine therapy, each with different administration methods and formulations used to treat mental health conditions and chronic pain. These are what we use in our office:

1. Intravenous (IV) Ketamine Infusion

 - How it works: Ketamine is administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV drip.

 - Use: This is the most common form of ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. 

 - Pros: Rapid absorption, often showing effects within hours to days.

 - Cons: Requires a clinical setting and medical supervision due to potential side effects like dissociation and high blood pressure.

2. Intramuscular (IM) Ketamine Injections

 - How it works: Ketamine is injected directly into the muscle, usually in the upper arm.

 - Use: Less common than IV infusions but used for similar conditions, especially when IV access is difficult.

 - Pros: Shorter administration time than IV, effects appear quickly.

 - Cons: Dosage control is less precise than IV; some side effects are similar.

3. Oral Ketamine (Sublingual lozenges)

 - How it works: Patients take ketamine as a lozenge that dissolves under the tongue (sublingual).

 - Use: Often used for at-home maintenance treatments, especially following initial IV or IM therapy.

 - Pros: Easier to administer.

 - Cons: Slower onset of effects, with a lower absorption rate compared to IV or IM.

4. Nasal Spray (Esketamine/Spravato)

 - How it works: A derivative of ketamine called esketamine is administered via nasal spray.

 - Use: Specifically approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression.

 - Pros: FDA-approved and non-invasive, can be taken in a clinical setting with less supervision needed compared to IV therapy.

 - Cons: Still requires some monitoring after each dose.

5. Nebulized Ketamine (inhaled ketamine)

Nebulized ketamine is an emerging form of ketamine therapy where the drug is administered through a nebulizer, allowing the patient to inhale it as a mist. This method is relatively new and less commonly used compared to intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or nasal spray methods.

 - How it works: A liquid form of ketamine is converted into a fine mist using a nebulizer. The patient inhales the mist into their lungs, where ketamine is absorbed into the bloodstream. In this way it is able to bypass the digestive system and enters the bloodstream through the lungs, though the absorption rate is slower compared to IV administration.

 - Pros: Non-Invasive. It avoids needles and is easier to administer than IV or IM ketamine.

It is Fast-Acting. While not as immediate as IV, nebulized ketamine may still act faster than oral options.

 - Cons: Less Controlled Dosing. Dosing with nebulized ketamine can be less precise than IV, leading to variability in absorption and effects.

Limited Research.This method is newer, and there’s less clinical research supporting its efficacy compared to more established methods like IV or nasal spray buy we wholly believe in this method and are excited to offer it to patients that fit the need for this route of administration.

Each type has different uses and may be chosen based on the patient's specific needs, medical history, and treatment goals.

Your therapeutic ketamine session will be structured and monitored treatment designed to safely deliver the benefits of ketamine for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain. Here’s what you can generally expect during a session:

1. Pre-Treatment Preparation

 - Consultation: Before your first session, a thorough consultation by one of our clinical staff members will determine whether ketamine therapy is appropriate for you. This includes reviewing your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals.

 - Mental Preparation: We advise you to approach the session with an open mind. Depending on your conditions, we may encourage you to set an intention or goal for the session, especially if it’s for mental health purposes.

 - Fasting: We may be instruct you to not to eat or drink for a few hours before the session to reduce nausea, a common side effect. Normally this is not an issue as we are able to add anti-nausea medication to your treatment to keep this from happening.

2. Arrival and Setup

 - Comfortable Environment: Your session will take place in a calm, quiet room, with dim lighting and comfortable seating arrangements.

 - Vital Signs Chec: Before starting, our staff will check your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate) to ensure you’re in a stable condition to receive treatment.

3. Administration of Ketamine

 - Method: Ketamine can be administered in several ways, depending on your treatment plan. Common methods include:

 - Intravenous (IV) Infusion: A slow drip of ketamine into your bloodstream, which is the most common method.

 - Intramuscular Injection (IM): A shot of ketamine into the muscle, usually we choose the upper arm.

 - Nasal Spray (Esketamine/Spravato): A nasal spray will be administered.

 - Nebulizer: Our newest and most innovative treatment, if this is the correct answer for you, you will deeply breathe the ketamine in through a mask placed over your nose and mouth. 

 - Onset: The effects usually begin within minutes. IV and IM methods tend to work quickly, while oral or nasal options may take slightly longer.

4. During the Session

 - Monitoring: Our medical professionals will monitor your vital signs throughout the session to ensure your safety.

 - Physical Sensations: You may experience sensations like lightness, floating, or tingling. Some patients report feeling detached from their body or their surroundings, which is a form of mild dissociation.

 - Psychological Effects: It’s common to enter a dream-like state, with altered perceptions of time and space. You may experience introspective or emotional thoughts, which is why some sessions are referred to as "psychedelic" experiences.

 - Duration: A ketamine session typically lasts 40 minutes to an hour. You will remain under supervision during this time to ensure safety and comfort.

 - Relaxation Techniques: We often encourage deep breathing or meditation techniques to help you stay calm and focused during the experience.

5. Post-Treatment Recovery

 - Coming Down: After the infusion or administration stops, the acute effects of ketamine gradually wear off within 20 to 30 minutes. You may feel groggy or disoriented for a short period.

 - Monitoring*l: You’ll continue to be monitored during this recovery period to ensure there are no adverse effects.

 - Reflection: We encourage our patients to rest and reflect on the experience. Depending on your unique circumstances, one of our staff may discuss what you felt and experienced during the session, helping you process the insights or emotions that arose.

6. Aftercare and Follow-Up

 - Transportation: You will need someone to drive you home, as the dissociative and sedative effects of ketamine can make it unsafe to drive immediately after.

 - Mild Side Effects: You may feel drowsy, dizzy, or experience mild nausea or headaches, but these usually subside within a few hours. With extra intention, we provide our patients with medications along with your ketamine to ensure that these are not overwhelming or bothersome. Including these medications, the majority of our patients do not feel any headaches or nausea after treatment. 

 - Integration: We highly recommend you follow-up with therapy or integration sessions with your personal therapist within 24-72 hours post-treatment to help you process any emotions or insights you gained from the ketamine session. This is especially important in mental health treatments.

7. Frequency of Sessions

 - Treatment Plan: Ketamine therapy is often given over several sessions. For mental health conditions, an initial series of 6-8 sessions over 2 to 3 weeks is common, followed by maintenance sessions as needed.

Overall Experience:

Patients often describe ketamine sessions as deeply introspective and emotionally revealing. Many find immediate relief from symptoms after one session, while others experience gradual improvements over the course of the treatment plan. The experience itself can vary, but it is generally described as tranquil, sometimes even euphoric, with moments of deep reflection.