Ketamine Therapy & Spravato® Treatment

At Lifeline Interventional Therapeutics, we offer a range of ketamine therapies to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and addiction. Ketamine has proven to be an effective treatment for patients who haven’t found relief through traditional medications. Each therapy method we offer is designed to address the specific symptoms and needs of our patients, helping to reduce long-term medication dependence and support lasting mental health recovery.

Here are the ketamine therapy options available at our clinic, and how each can help with different conditions and symptoms:

How it works: Ketamine is delivered directly into the bloodstream through an IV drip, allowing for immediate and effective therapeutic action.

Symptoms Treated:

• Treatment-resistant depression: For individuals who haven’t responded to traditional antidepressants, IV ketamine is highly effective in reducing symptoms of depression such as persistent sadness, loss of interest, and feelings of worthlessness.
• Anxiety: IV ketamine helps reduce overwhelming anxiety, panic attacks, and generalized fear, providing fast relief for individuals struggling with severe anxiety.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Ketamine can help reduce flashbacks, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts commonly associated with PTSD, allowing patients to regain a sense of calm and control.
• Chronic pain: IV ketamine is also effective for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and neuropathic pain, helping to alleviate ongoing discomfort and improve quality of life.

Benefits: This method delivers rapid symptom relief, with patients often feeling significant improvements within hours to days, making it ideal for those in need of quick, effective results in a clinical setting under medical supervision.

How it works: Ketamine is injected directly into the muscle (usually in the upper arm), allowing it to be absorbed into the bloodstream more gradually than with an IV infusion.

Symptoms Treated:

• Treatment-resistant depression: IM ketamine provides relief for severe depression, especially when patients are unable to access IV therapy or prefer a less invasive option.
• Chronic pain: This method is particularly beneficial for patients with pain-related conditions such as arthritis or chronic migraines, offering quick relief from discomfort and improving mobility.
• Anxiety and PTSD: Like IV ketamine, IM injections help reduce the emotional intensity of anxiety and trauma-related symptoms, offering a more manageable emotional state for patients dealing with extreme emotional distress.

Benefits: IM ketamine has a shorter administration time compared to IV therapy, and the effects can be felt quickly. It's an excellent option when IV access is difficult or for patients who want a faster, less invasive treatment option.

How it works: Ketamine is taken in the form of a sublingual lozenge, which dissolves under the tongue for absorption directly into the bloodstream.

Symptoms Treated:

• Maintenance of treatment-resistant depression: After an initial round of IV or IM therapy, oral ketamine can be used for ongoing symptom management, helping to keep depression and anxiety under control.
• Post-therapy support for PTSD: Oral ketamine may be recommended as an at-home treatment to help maintain stability after more intensive therapies, especially for patients with trauma-related symptoms.
• Chronic pain: Patients dealing with ongoing pain conditions like nerve pain or migraines may benefit from oral ketamine for long-term pain management.

Benefits: Oral ketamine is an easy-to-administer and convenient option for patients, especially those needing maintenance therapy to keep symptoms at bay between more intensive treatments.

How it works: Esketamine, a derivative of ketamine, is delivered via a nasal spray that is absorbed quickly through the mucous membranes.

Symptoms Treated:

• Treatment-resistant depression: Esketamine is FDA-approved specifically for patients who have not found relief with conventional antidepressants, offering rapid and effective results for those struggling with severe depressive symptoms.
• Anxiety and stress-related disorders: As with other ketamine methods, the nasal spray helps reduce anxiety, tension, and negative thinking patterns, allowing for relief from generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks.
• Chronic pain: Esketamine has shown potential in treating pain-related conditions, including chronic migraines and fibromyalgia, providing both psychological and physical relief.

Benefits: FDA-approved, non-invasive, and easy to administer, Spravato® provides rapid symptom relief and requires less supervision than IV ketamine. It’s an excellent option for those who want effective treatment with fewer visits to the clinic.

How it works: A nebulizer converts liquid ketamine into a fine mist that the patient inhales, allowing the ketamine to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs.

Symptoms Treated:

• Treatment-resistant depression and anxiety: Inhaled ketamine can help treat severe depression and anxiety, offering quick relief when patients are seeking a non-invasive treatment alternative.
• Chronic pain: Nebulized ketamine has been shown to help with pain management for conditions like chronic back pain, arthritis, and migraine headaches.
• PTSD: The calming and mind-altering effects of ketamine help reduce the emotional intensity of PTSD symptoms, giving patients a greater sense of peace and recovery.

Benefits: This method is non-invasive, making it a great alternative for patients who prefer to avoid needles. It provides fast-acting relief, and although it is a newer therapy, we are excited to offer it as a viable treatment option for those who may benefit from this form of ketamine.

Each type of ketamine therapy offers unique benefits and may be more suitable depending on your specific condition, symptoms, and treatment goals. Our experienced team at Lifeline Interventional Therapeutics will work closely with you to help determine the most appropriate treatment option to address your needs and help you achieve long-term mental health recovery and pain relief.

If you're ready to take the next step toward healing or want to discuss which therapy might be best for you, please contact us today to schedule a consultation!

 At Lifeline Interventional Therapeutics, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. With an on-site emergency doctor, an Army Veteran Physician Assistant (PA) with specialized experience in ketamine therapy, and a board-certified psychiatrist actively involved in your treatment plan, you can feel confident knowing you’re under the care of highly trained professionals every step of the way. Our team’s expertise ensures that your ketamine therapy is not only effective but also safe, providing you with peace of mind throughout the entire process.

Your therapeutic ketamine session will be a structured and closely monitored experience designed to help alleviate the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and more. Here’s what you can generally expect during your session:

• Consultation: Prior to your first session, one of our clinical staff members will conduct a thorough consultation. This includes reviewing your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals to ensure ketamine therapy is right for you.
• Mental Preparation: We recommend approaching your session with an open mind. Depending on your specific condition, we may suggest setting an intention or goal for the session, especially if it's focused on mental health improvement.
• Fasting: You may be advised to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before your session to minimize the risk of nausea. If needed, we can administer anti-nausea medication during treatment to prevent this side effect.

• Comfortable Environment: Your session will take place in a quiet, calming room designed to help you feel relaxed, with dim lighting and comfortable seating.
• Vital Signs Check: Before we begin, our medical team will check your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate) to ensure you're in stable condition and ready to begin treatment.

• Method: Ketamine is administered using various methods, depending on your personalized treatment plan. Options include:
  • Intravenous (IV) Infusion: A slow drip of ketamine directly into your bloodstream.
  • Intramuscular Injection (IM): A direct injection of ketamine into the muscle, often in the upper arm.
  • Nasal Spray (Esketamine/Spravato): Ketamine is delivered as a nasal spray.
  • Nebulizer: The newest treatment option, where ketamine is inhaled through a mask over your nose and mouth.
• Onset: The effects of ketamine usually begin within minutes. IV and IM methods tend to show faster results, while oral or nasal options may take slightly longer to take effect.

• Monitoring: Throughout your session, our clinical staff will continuously monitor your vital signs to ensure your safety. With an on-site emergency doctor and a highly-trained Army Veteran Physician Assistant (PA), you’re in the hands of professionals with advanced experience in ketamine therapy, especially in trauma-informed care and mental health.
• Physical Sensations: You may experience lightness, floating, or tingling sensations. Some patients report feeling detached from their body or surroundings, which is a mild form of dissociation.
• Psychological Effects: You might enter a dream-like state with altered perceptions of time and space, often experiencing introspective or emotional thoughts. This is why some people refer to ketamine therapy as a "psychedelic" experience.
• Duration: A typical ketamine session lasts anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour. You will remain under our supervision the entire time to ensure your safety and comfort.
• Relaxation Techniques: We may encourage you to practice deep breathing or meditation during the session to stay calm and focused.

• Coming Down: As the treatment concludes, the effects of ketamine gradually wear off over the next 20 to 30 minutes. You may feel groggy or disoriented briefly, but this will pass.
• Monitoring: Our team will continue to monitor you during this recovery period to ensure there are no adverse effects. With an emergency physician on staff and expert medical supervision, your recovery will be closely managed.
• Reflection: After your session, we encourage you to rest and reflect on your experience. One of our staff members may meet with you to discuss what you felt or any emotional insights you gained.

• Transportation: You will need someone to drive you home after your session, as the dissociative and sedative effects of ketamine can make it unsafe to drive immediately after treatment.
• Mild Side Effects: Some patients may experience drowsiness, dizziness, or mild nausea after treatment. These side effects typically subside within a few hours. To minimize discomfort, we often provide medications alongside ketamine to prevent nausea and headaches, and most of our patients report no significant side effects.
• Integration: We highly recommend following up with therapy or integration sessions within 24-72 hours post-treatment to help you process any emotions or insights gained during the session, especially when treating mental health conditions.

• Treatment Plan: Ketamine therapy is typically provided in a series of 6-8 sessions over the course of 2 to 3 weeks for mental health conditions. Afterward, maintenance sessions may be scheduled as needed to maintain progress and ensure long-term recovery.

Many of our patients describe their ketamine sessions as deeply introspective and emotionally revealing. Some find significant relief after just one session, while others experience gradual improvements over the course of their treatment plan. While the experience can vary, it’s often described as tranquil, occasionally euphoric, and filled with moments of deep self-reflection.