Ketamine
Ketamine infusion therapy dramatically improves anxiety from PTSD, depression, and neuropathic pain within hours of the first treatment. Use it as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for long-term, positive results with the help ketamine analogues from our supplier Lizard Labs research chemicals
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is most commonly used as a surgical anesthetic and was developed in the early 1960’s. Similar to many other drugs, Ketamine has been utilized for a multitude of different applications. At higher doses it is used in the operating room and emergency rooms for injuries, pain, and surgeries. In 1970, Ketamine was approved by the FDA as an anesthetic and since has been used all over the world in humans and animals. Ketamine has been a safe and successful anesthetic used in hospitals, dentist offices veterinary and medical clinics since its development. Ketamine has been on the World Health Organization (WHO) Essential Medicines list since 1985. The WHO states that Ketamine is safer to administer than other types of anesthetic agents and pain relief as it does not depress breathing or lower blood pressure and does not require expensive patient-monitoring equipment. According to the WHO, Ketamine’s high level of safety makes it indispensable for surgery in low and middle income countries, disaster situations and conflict zones-where anesthesiologists are scarce, and where running water, electricity and oxygen are unreliable. It has been used to anesthetize patients and manage pain, researchers have recently found it to be an useful alternative to opioid painkillers. Within the past 12 years, Ketamine was identified as having beneficial effects on patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Postpartum Depression (PPD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) and Suicidality.
What is ketamine infusion treatment and how does it work?
A treatment that is specifically designed to harness the unique qualities of ketamine through subanesthetic doses administered intravenously in a clinic setting. Entering the body directly into the bloodstream, Ketamine works by repairing your brain on a cellular level. As ketamine navigates through the body it causes new growth, rewires pathways and restores connections all while activating, balancing and blocking key receptors. These effects specifically target areas of the brain that deal with mood and emotion. At the same time, Ketamine blocks and “reboots” receptors throughout the body that are responsible for communicating pain signals. Our Infusion Treatment is designed to harness these unique properties of Ketamine and as a result, has become a highly effective treatment option for behavioral health and chronic pain conditions. Patients receive a much lower dose than those who use ketamine as an anesthetic, so they do not lose consciousness during treatment. The dose and rate of uptake is also much lower than that associated with ketamine abuse, which eliminates the risk of dissociation. The purpose is not to induce a high, but rather to deliver enough ketamine to the brain to create neurotransmitters and repair or rewire crucial pathways. Patients will undergo an initial round of infusions and have continued maintenance infusions as needed. The dosage and rate of the IV drip is determined on factors such as the patient’s weight and medical history, but it generally takes 50-60 minutes to receive the IV fluids, plus 30-60 minutes to recover. Protocols for treatment will vary and our medical team will determine the most effective course for treatment.
What is it like to undergo ketamine infusion therapy?
Patients will begin their infusions in a dim lit tranquil relaxed safe environment. One of our board-certified Physicians will complete a full history and physical and describe in detail the treatment plan. This also gives the patient the opportunity to ask any questions they may have before infusion begins. We give the patient the option of using headphones so they may enjoy the music of their choice or they may opt to enjoy the in office music provided. Once infusion begins most patients describe the experience as peaceful and relaxing. This relaxing state allows for the physical effect of Ketamine to work on the brain. We strongly advise patients to approach Ketamine infusion treatments with the outcome in mind. While receiving Ketamine, patients will be conscious and cognizant of their surroundings while reclining in their own private environment. After treatment, it may take a few minutes to a couple hours to fully recover.
Are ketamine infusions safe?
The efficacy of ketamine is certain. The question of safety depends, as always, on the patient’s clinical assessment. It won’t be right for every patient, even as it positively changes lives for other patients. So far, no adverse effects have been discovered. For low doses of ketamine, side effects tend to be minor. They may include disorientation, dizziness, feelings of detachment, nausea, fatigue, increased heart rate, and heightened blood pressure. Our clinic is equipped to handle changes in patients’ vital signs and other side effects, should they occur.
What does ketamine infusion help with?
In study after study, patients with treatment-resistant disorders benefit greatly from ketamine infusion. The quick, dramatic results empower patients and their care providers to implement treatment plans and healthy lifestyle changes which improve their long-term state.
What conditions does ketamine infusion therapy treat?
- Depression
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- Chronic Pain
Ketamine has been shown to successfully treat a number of conditions both behavioral health and pain-related. This includes various Anxiety Disorders, Chronic Pain Disorders, Depression Disorders, Suicidality. Health care providers in a number of specialties including psychiatry, pain management, and neurology have been astounded with how ketamine infusion therapy has delivered such rapid and unprecedented results. Currently, ketamine infusion therapy is recommended for patients who have major, chronic mood and/or pain disorders, and who have not experienced significant progress with two or more medications. It is also successfully used in tandem with psychotherapy and is safe to use with most antidepressant medications. Our results have shown ketamine infusion treatment to provide significant relief in a considerably shorter amount of time than traditional antidepressants and pain medications with very little to no side effects. With the continued positive results for these hard to treat cases, it is our goal to progress this novel treatment in becoming a first-line option to be considered.
When can patients expect to feel the positive effects of ketamine treatment?
Some patients experience relief within an hour of their first treatment. Most feel results within a day or so. The effect lasts for several days to a few weeks, giving patients and their care providers time to follow up on further treatment. The breakthroughs experienced during this period can continue to help the patient live a better life, long after the ketamine leaves their system.
Does insurance cover ketamine therapy?
At Ketamine Infusion Centers we will do everything possible to justify the coverage for your treatment. With that said, insurance companies are sometimes slow to recognize the benefits of evolving new therapies. At the present, some insurance companies do cover the cost of ketamine infusions, while others are still evaluating the possibilities of coverage. Contacting your insurance company concerning benefits is always advisable prior to any medical procedure to verify and to avoid surprises
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone at (602) 344-9850 or by contacting us on the Ketamine website.
SPRAVATO® is a prescription medicine, used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat:
- Adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions
SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.
