About Ketamine for Mental Health and Chronic Pain
Ketamine hydrochloride (referred to here as “ketamine” interchangeably) is a Schedule III controlled substance that became FDA approved for general anesthesia practice in 1970.
The first paper exploring Ketamine’s mood boosting effects was published in 2000. Since then, there have been numerous studies to explore Ketamine’s effect for mood disorders and how it can work on several brain areas involved in symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Postpartum Depression (PPD), and numerous pain syndromes. Check these studies out at Clinicaltrials.gov.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain or lives with a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder, OCD, anxiety, or depression but antidepressants or prescription medications haven’t provided relief, you may benefit from ketamine infusion therapy with the team at Avesta Ketamine and Wellness.
At our offices in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC, our team proudly offers this safe, and effective, non physically addictive treatment. To request an appointment, call the office nearest you, or book online today.
What is ketamine infusion therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy is a state-of-the-art, therapeutic approach to treating depression, anxiety, and chronic pain disorders such as migraines and fibromyalgia. A number of scientific studies, including those conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Yale University, show that low-dose, IV ketamine infusion therapy can dramatically improve the symptoms associated with these disorders.
If you’ve tried prescription pain medicine or antidepressants without achieving the results you desire, ketamine infusion therapy provides a safe, effective, and non-addictive treatment option that boasts a higher success rate than many traditional treatment methods.
Who is a good candidate for ketamine infusion therapy?
Generally, anyone who struggles with mental health disorders is a good candidate for ketamine infusion therapy. We do require that patients have a confirmed diagnosis of a mental health condition and are currently under the care of a provider for treatment.
To determine if you are a good candidate for treatment, schedule a consultation with our office. Following your consultation and thorough examination, we will work with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
How many ketamine infusion therapy treatments will I need?
This depends on whether you are coming to see us for Treatment-Resistant Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and other mood-related disorders, or Chronic Pain.
For Mood Disorders, treatment induction includes at least 6 sessions, lasting 45-60 minutes, spread over a 2-3 week period. Research has shown this regimen to be the most effective induction method. Depending on how you respond, you may benefit from a few additional session before moving into the Maintenance phase of your treatment.
For Chronic Pain, treatment induction consists of 5 consecutive sessions, lasting 4 hours each. We add other medications to your infusion to work towards the goal of reducing your pain.
Ketamine booster infusions are generally needed periodically following the induction treatment to maintain relief. Our team tailors a treatment plan for you based on your unique needs and medical history and will make adjustments to your treatment plan based on how you respond.
What should I expect during my ketamine treatment?
Prior to your treatment, it is important that you do not consume any food at least 5-6 hours before your appointment and no drink at least 1-2 hours before. You will not be able to drive after your appointment for the rest of the day, so please arrange for transportation on the day of your appointment. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing that allows us to easily access your arms for treatment.
You will remain awake during treatment but in a state of extreme relaxation. You will be monitored during treatment for your safety and comfort. Patients sometimes report an ‘out of body’ experience of a sensation of ‘dreaminess.’ These feelings fade 20 minutes after treatment.
Some side effects of treatment include dizziness, blurred vision, and sometimes nausea.
Results
Many patients report an improvement in mood and general well being after the first few treatments. It is not uncommon for patients to feel relief within several hours of their first infusion.
The length of your results will vary for each individual and can last for several months. Following your initial series of treatments, we can work with you to begin a maintenance program if necessary.
What are potential risks or side effects of Ketamine?
Ketamine, as Schedule III controlled substance, is FDA approved for general anesthesia. Racemic Ketamine has not yet been FDA approved for the purposes of mental health but is administered off-label for this purpose.
Known safety concerns associated with the use of ketamine products include abuse and misuse, risks of sedation, dissociation, psychiatric events or worsening of psychiatric disorders, increases in blood pressure, respiratory depression (slowed breathing), and lower urinary tract and bladder symptoms. Safety is our number one priority for our patients. We are careful to screen our patients to ensure you are the right candidate for our care, and monitor you closely during your infusion.
Side effects of your ketamine infusion can include nausea, dizziness, and tiredness. We proactively provide our patients with anti-nausea medication and ask patients to rest well after their infusion ends.
