What is ketamine IV therapy?
Medical History & Research
Ketamine is a general anesthetic widely used in operating rooms since the 1970s. In the late 1990s, researchers at Yale first showed that a subanesthetic (low-dose) intravenous ketamine injection had rapid and profound antidepressant effects. Subsequently, a large (and growing) research literature evolved over the next 20 years demonstrating the efficacy of ketamine infusion therapy to help patients with TRD, bipolar depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders.
How It Works
Ketamine acts differently than commonly used antidepressants like Prozac and Lexapro (known as "SSRIs"). Unlike these medications that act on serotonin, ketamine is thought to act on NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors and to stimulate glutamate activity. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that is critical in helping the brain change by making new neural connections.
Professional Administration
Because the ketamine infusion is given intravenously and is considered a controlled substance, it must be administered by specially trained medical personnel in a certified clinical setting. Most patients receive a ketamine IV infusion as an outpatient and go home in a couple of hours.
What does ketamine infusion therapy treat?
People who are currently struggling with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and haven't found success or have experienced adverse side effects from at least two different antidepressant treatments may have Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). Clinical studies show that ketamine infusion therapy can effectively treat MDD and TRD with a success rate as high as 70%. Many patients show rapid improvement after just their first or second IV ketamine infusion.
of patients show improvement in depression symptoms within the first 1-2 treatments.
of patients achieve complete remission from depressive symptoms after a full treatment course.
reduction in suicidal ideation within the first 24 hours of treatment.
Conditions We Treat
Depression & Treatment-Resistant Depression
A persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can interfere with daily life, especially when traditional treatments haven't provided relief.
PTSD And Stress Disorders
A condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, causing intense emotional and physical reactions.
Anxiety
Persistent worry and fear about everyday situations, often accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat.
Fibromyalgia
A chronic condition causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness throughout the body.
OCD
A disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily life.
Are there side effects to ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy is generally well-tolerated, but some patients may experience temporary side effects during or shortly after treatment.
Dissociation or feeling strange/loopy
Double vision
Loss of appetite
Dream-like state
Nausea
Elevated blood pressure
Trouble speaking
Slight pain at injection site
The Power of a 6-Infusion Series
A complete series of six ketamine infusions creates lasting changes in brain connectivity, promoting sustained healing and growth.