ABOUT

Ketamine is a medicine developed more than 50 years ago for anesthesia during surgery, and has been used for that purpose since that time in children, adults, and animals. More recently, ketamine has been found to be a valuable and highly effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and certain pain disorders.

What conditions does ketamine treat?

Major depression, the depressed phase of bipolar disorder (bipolar depression), postpartum depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

How does it work?

Depression, anxiety, pain, and other forms of stress damage the communication system between areas of the brain responsible for memory, learning, and higher-order thinking. Ketamine is able to promote the materials necessary to make repairs to this damage within hours, relieving the depressive symptoms. It does so by triggering a cascading sequence of events in the brain, which ultimately results in the growth of new connections between neurons (brain cells) in the prefrontal cortex (front part of your brain).

Is it safe?

The dose used for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders is very low and safe. During ketamine treatments, blood pressure and heart rate may minimally increase but not sufficiently to cause issues.

Using illegally-obtained ketamine on your own without a doctor’s supervision is a different matter. There is no assurance the substance you’re taking is actually ketamine at all, or that it hasn’t been mixed with other substances. And since ketamine is an anesthetic capable of sedating patients during major surgery, you can seriously injure yourself while under its influence if you are not in a controlled medical setting. If you are contemplating taking “street” ketamine in hopes of relieving your depression, keep in mind that the antidepressant effect depends on it being administered in a very precise, controlled way that you cannot achieve in a recreational setting.

Are there any side effects?

Short-term side effects are uncommon but may include mild increase in blood pressure and heart rate, dizziness, temporary blurred vision, sensation of "lightness" , euphoria, and nausea. Our patients are monitored continuously to ensure safety and medications to treat any sides effects such as nausea are readily available. There are no long-term side effects.

What is it like to have a ketamine infusion?

Be sure not to eat food or drink fluids within 2 hours. Your initial consultation will last 15-30 minutes and includes discussion of the treatment and your medical history. You are welcome to bring a companion to be with you during your appointment, We recommend that you bring headphones and music that is relaxing for you. You will be placed in a comfortable recliner and an IV catheter will be gently inserted and the infusion started. The infusion itself lasts 40-60 minutes. Most find it a very pleasant, dreamy experience. About 5-10% shed tears during the infusion. A few become anxious during the infusion, which is easily managed with reasurrance, deep breathing, and slowing down the infusion rate. After the treatment you will be required to stay for a recovery period, typically 20-30 minutes. You will need to have an adult present to drive you home from your appointment.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

You are highly encouraged to bring your medical records from your primary care provider or psychiatrist. If you have had recent lab work, please bring a copy of the results. Healthy patients do not require pre-infusion lab work. However, there are some medical conditions that may require assessment of labs prior to your first infusion and we will discuss this during your initial consultation. You may bring things like tablets, headphones, mp3 players and books. As a courtesy to other patients we ask that you please refrain from telephone conversations during your appointments. Complimentary ear plugs and eye covers are available for your use.