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Ketamine Therapy
A Safe and Effective Treatment
Ketamine is a compound that was discovered in 1962 and found to be an extremely safe and short-acting dissociative anesthetic and analgesic (pain reliever). It is FDA-approved for many indications including being the recommended anesthesia for children in emergency and operating rooms.
For psychedelic journeys or mood disorder treatments, sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine are given—only a fraction of what would be administered to an infant during a surgical procedure.
When administered at these doses, ketamine allows individuals to experience different planes of consciousness in a similar manner to other classic psychedelic medicines. Ketamine provides a doorway into consciousness so you can explore the root causes of ailments, reframe your personal narrative, and work toward a therapeutic breakthrough.
These psychedelic experiences are normally very relaxing and calming, and you may see visuals or fractal patterns. Many clients share that they feel a warm and loving state of presence, and they can compassionately and patiently process past experiences or traumas they would normally avoid or suppress.
While other treatments work to minimize symptoms, Ketamine works to repair the cause at the source. Since Ketamine’s FDA-clearance to treat depression in 2019, this treatment has revolutionized our expectations of the level of wellness that can be achieved for those suffering from these mental health concerns.
Effectiveness of Depression Treatments
Our Protocol
Schedule Initial Evaluation
We assess your medical history and any existing medications to confirm ketamine is an appropriate treatment. Meet with Krystal to assess if ketamine therapy is right for you.
Preparation
Ketamine therapy is unlike any other treatment you are likely to have encountered, so preparing your mind and body for the experience is critical. We’ll give you information on how to cultivate a peaceful and positive mindset in the time leading up to your journey. We will also encourage you to set intentions before each session—a goal or purpose for your journey that will help direct the experience and gather insights—and then “let go.”
Psychedelic Treatment Sessions
Our physicians typically administer one to 6 treatments over a 3-6 week period, receiving up to 2 treatments per week. The treatments take place in a serene environment with ambient music, or can also be done in the comfort of your own home.
Integration
Licensed therapists or trained integration professionals work with you with the intention of helping you glean insights after each journey to integrate into your daily life. We utilize Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) to support your integration and healing. Integration can also include practices like yoga, journaling, meditation, mindfulness techniques, or listening to music from the treatment. The idea is to help individuals tap into their inner healer for lasting change.
Follow-up
If a client does not have a therapist (or would like additional support), our team will work with clients to integrate learnings into their daily lives for lasting results. Some clients may also benefit from additional “booster” sessions. Psychedelics are transformative medicines, but healing requires more than the experience of the journey.
Our Protocol
Medical Assessment
We assess your medical history and any existing medications to confirm ketamine is an appropriate treatment. Meet with Krystal to assess if ketamine therapy is right for you.
Preparation
Ketamine therapy is unlike any other treatment you are likely to have encountered, so preparing your mind and body for the experience is critical. We’ll give you information on how to cultivate a peaceful and positive mindset in the time leading up to your journey. We will also encourage you to set intentions before each session—a goal or purpose for your journey that will help direct the experience and gather insights—and then “let go.”
Psychedelic Treatment Sessions
Our physicians typically administer one to 6 treatments over a 3-6 week period, receiving up to 2 treatments per week. The treatments take place in a serene environment with ambient music, or can also be done in the comfort of your own home.
Integration
Licensed therapists or trained integration professionals work with you with the intention of helping you glean insights after each journey to integrate into your daily life. We utilize Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) to support your integration and healing. Integration can also include practices like yoga, journaling, meditation, mindfulness techniques, or listening to music from the treatment. The idea is to help individuals tap into their inner healer for lasting change.
Follow-up
If a client does not have a therapist (or would like additional support), our team will work with clients to integrate learnings into their daily lives for lasting results. Some clients may also benefit from additional “booster” sessions. Psychedelics are transformative medicines, but healing requires more than the experience of the journey.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy has shown potential benefits for various conditions, including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here are some of the main benefits associated with ketamine therapy:
- Rapid relief: Ketamine has been found to provide rapid relief from depressive symptoms, often within hours or days after a single infusion. This is particularly significant for individuals with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded to other treatments.
- Treatment-resistant conditions: Depression is the leading global cause of disability, but only one third of patients respond to traditional pharmaceuticals. For those who do not, studies show that ketamine can offer significant, lasting improvement within hours of administration. Ketamine therapy can be beneficial for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. These are conditions that have not responded adequately to traditional treatments, and ketamine offers a potential alternative or additional treatment option.
- Anti-suicidal effects: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death nationwide and many medications for depression may increase risk for suicide in the first few weeks of treatment. In contrast, ketamine has been shown to rapidly reduce chronic suicidal ideation. Most other psychiatric medications can be continued during KAP treatment, additionally reducing risk to those using more traditional treatments successfully. This aspect of ketamine therapy can be crucial in providing immediate help and saving lives in acute situations.
- Potential for sustained relief: Although the immediate effects of ketamine may be temporary, some research suggests that repeated infusions or maintenance infusions over a period of time may lead to longer-term benefits and sustained relief from symptoms.
- Well-tolerated in controlled settings: When administered in controlled medical settings by qualified professionals, ketamine infusion therapy is generally considered safe and well-tolerated. The procedure is carefully monitored, and potential side effects and risks are managed by healthcare providers.
- Non-traditional mechanism of action: Ketamine acts on the glutamate system in the brain, rather than the more commonly targeted serotonin or norepinephrine systems. This non-traditional mechanism of action makes ketamine a unique option that may be effective for individuals who have not responded to other medications or therapies.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy: Depression
- Ketamine therapy has shown potential benefits in the treatment of depression, particularly in cases of treatment-resistant depression where other treatments have been ineffective.
- Patients undergoing Ketamine Therapy for depression can feel rapid relief within hours to days, without the negative side effects associated with antidepressant medications. Ketamine therapy for depression can be highly effective even in treatment-resistant cases. This return to wellness can last many months and even years in some cases, often times eliminating the need to take antidepressants every day. Most patients also report a superior quality of relief; a genuine sense of happiness without the flat or numb affect often experienced from other treatments. Treatment is safe, effective, and has no long-term side effects.
- Benefits of Ketamine for Depression include:
- Rapid relief: Ketamine has demonstrated rapid-acting antidepressant effects, often providing significant reductions in depressive symptoms within hours or days after a single infusion. This is in contrast to traditional antidepressant medications that can take weeks or even months to produce noticeable improvements.
- Treatment-resistant depression: Ketamine therapy has shown promise in treating individuals with treatment-resistant depression, which refers to cases where standard antidepressant medications and other therapies have not provided sufficient relief. Ketamine offers an alternative treatment option for those who have not responded to other interventions.
- Anti-suicidal effects: Ketamine has been found to have notable anti-suicidal effects. In cases of severe depression with acute suicidal ideation, ketamine therapy may rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts and provide a lifeline for individuals in crisis.
- Potential for sustained relief: While the immediate effects of ketamine may be temporary, repeated or maintenance infusions can help sustain and extend the therapeutic benefits over time. These infusions can be tailored to the individual’s needs and may help prevent relapse or recurrence of depressive symptoms.
- Unique mechanism of action: Ketamine works through a different mechanism compared to traditional antidepressants. It targets the glutamate system in the brain, specifically NMDA receptors, which may contribute to its unique antidepressant effects. This novel approach makes ketamine a valuable option for individuals who have not responded to other medications or therapies.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy: Anxiety Disorders
- Patients with generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, and other forms of anxiety disorders can be treated effectively and quickly by Ketamine Therapy. Relief is often enjoyed as fast as 2-3 sessions. Ketamine treatment can help to promote calm in a patient’s nervous system. Ketamine helps improve brain function and promotes healing in a unique way, unlike other traditional treatments. Reductions in dependency on traditional prescription drugs are also seen in some patients. Most patients enjoy an overall healthier perspective on themselves and their lives. Treatment is safe, effective, and has no long-term side effects.
- Benefits of Ketamine for Anxiety Disorders include:
- Rapid reduction in symptoms: Ketamine has been reported to provide rapid relief from anxiety symptoms. Many individuals experience a significant reduction in anxiety within hours or days after a ketamine infusion, which is particularly valuable for those who require immediate relief or have not responded well to other treatments.
- Anxiolytic effects: Ketamine has anxiolytic properties, meaning it can help reduce anxiety levels. It may act on specific receptors in the brain associated with anxiety, leading to a calming effect. This can help individuals feel more at ease and improve their ability to cope with anxiety-inducing situations.
- Anti-depressant effects: Anxiety and depression often coexist, and ketamine has demonstrated robust anti-depressant effects. By alleviating depressive symptoms, ketamine therapy may indirectly reduce anxiety symptoms as well.
- Fear extinction and reconsolidation: Ketamine has been found to facilitate fear extinction and reconsolidation processes, which are crucial for individuals with anxiety disorders. This can help individuals learn new associations, modify maladaptive fear responses, and promote a more adaptive emotional regulation.
- Potential for sustained relief: While the immediate effects of ketamine may be temporary, repeated or maintenance ketamine infusions may provide longer-term benefits for anxiety. Some research suggests that regular or scheduled infusions can help maintain the therapeutic effects and reduce anxiety symptoms over an extended period.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy: Loneliness & Disconnection
- While ketamine therapy has primarily been studied and used for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, there is emerging research and anecdotal evidence suggesting potential benefits for loneliness and disconnection as well. Here are some potential benefits of ketamine therapy in relation to loneliness and disconnection:
- Enhanced self-awareness and insight: Ketamine has been reported to facilitate introspection and self-reflection, which can potentially help individuals gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, thoughts, and patterns of behavior. This increased self-awareness can contribute to addressing feelings of loneliness and disconnection by uncovering underlying causes and exploring ways to improve social interactions.
- Altered perspective and cognition: Ketamine has been associated with altered states of consciousness and temporary shifts in perception. These experiences may help individuals view their loneliness and disconnection from a different perspective, leading to new insights and a fresh outlook on social connections and relationships.
- Improved mood and well-being: Ketamine has shown rapid and robust antidepressant effects in various studies. By reducing depressive symptoms, it may alleviate feelings of loneliness and enhance overall well-being. A lifted mood can potentially motivate individuals to seek out social connections and engage in activities that promote a sense of connection with others.
- Reduction in social anxiety: Ketamine has been found to have anxiolytic effects, potentially helping individuals with social anxiety feel more at ease in social situations. By reducing anxiety and self-consciousness, ketamine therapy might facilitate greater social engagement and reduce the barriers that contribute to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
- While ketamine therapy has primarily been studied and used for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, there is emerging research and anecdotal evidence suggesting potential benefits for loneliness and disconnection as well. Here are some potential benefits of ketamine therapy in relation to loneliness and disconnection:
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy: Emotional Pain
- Ketamine therapy has been explored as a potential treatment for emotional pain, including experiences of grief, trauma, and emotional distress. While more research is needed in this area, some potential benefits of ketamine therapy for emotional pain may include:
- Rapid relief: Ketamine has been reported to provide rapid relief from emotional pain, including acute distress and intense grief. Its fast-acting nature may help alleviate immediate suffering and provide individuals with a temporary respite from emotional pain.
- Enhanced emotional processing: Ketamine can facilitate altered states of consciousness and may promote emotional processing and integration. It may help individuals explore and work through difficult emotions, memories, and traumas in a therapeutic setting, potentially leading to a reduction in emotional pain.
- Increased emotional resilience: Ketamine therapy has been associated with improvements in mood and resilience. By reducing depressive symptoms and increasing overall well-being, individuals may experience greater emotional resilience and an improved ability to cope with emotional pain.
- Altered perspective and insight: Ketamine can induce altered states of consciousness that may allow individuals to gain a fresh perspective on their emotional pain. This altered perspective can promote insights, new understandings, and potentially foster healing and growth.
- Reduction in rumination: Ketamine has been found to decrease rumination, which is a common process associated with emotional pain. By reducing repetitive negative thinking patterns, ketamine may help individuals break free from cycles of distress and rumination, promoting a sense of relief and a shift towards more adaptive thought patterns.
- Ketamine therapy has been explored as a potential treatment for emotional pain, including experiences of grief, trauma, and emotional distress. While more research is needed in this area, some potential benefits of ketamine therapy for emotional pain may include:
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy: Performance Enhancement / Creativity
- Ketamine can act as a powerful disruptor of beliefs that limit the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. It can help us to see our true services without labels and limitations and can give us great awareness and newfound perspectives that can assist us in overcoming challenges and road blocks that we may be facing in our lives and careers.
- Ketamine therapy has gained recognition not only for its potential in treating mental health conditions but also for its ability to enhance performance in various domains. Here are some potential benefits of ketamine therapy for enhancing performance:
- Enhanced Cognitive Function: Ketamine has been reported to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. By enhancing cognitive performance, individuals may experience increased focus, mental clarity, and productivity, which can be advantageous in academic, professional, or creative pursuits.
- Mood Elevation and Motivation: Ketamine has rapid-acting antidepressant effects, which can alleviate symptoms of depression and enhance overall mood. By alleviating feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of motivation, individuals may experience increased drive, enthusiasm, and determination to achieve their goals.
- Stress Reduction and Resilience: Ketamine therapy has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, allowing individuals to better cope with challenging situations. By improving stress resilience, individuals can maintain a calmer state of mind, make clearer decisions, and perform optimally under pressure.
- Creativity and Insight: Ketamine has been associated with increased creativity and enhanced problem-solving abilities. It can facilitate out-of-the-box thinking, allowing individuals to approach challenges from new perspectives and generate innovative ideas.
- Physical Performance and Recovery: Ketamine’s analgesic properties can help manage pain and improve physical performance, particularly in cases where chronic pain or physical discomfort may hinder optimal functioning. Additionally, ketamine therapy has shown potential in reducing inflammation and promoting faster recovery from injuries or physical exertion.