Ketamine is delivered via Intravenous (IV) Infusions. Ketamine infusion therapy uses a small catheter inserted directly into your vein and its effects delivered directly into your bloodstream, producing immediate and profound effects. A monitored pump allows dosage adjustments higher or lower while still maintaining steady medication delivery over 1-4 hours depending on your condition being treated; typically, patients will undergo several such infusions grouped closely over a few days; once symptoms improve successfully, they may return for additional “booster” infusions as needed.

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug widely used for anesthesia today and has been safely utilized by millions of patients over many decades. Ketamine and adjunct medicines used at Healing Tranquility Center are generally safe when administered by trained professionals, though as with any medicine there may be side effects including hallucinations, drug reactions, anxiety, elevated blood pressures, elevated heart rates or cardiac arrhythmias which need treating immediately. At Healing Tranquility Center we are fully prepared and trained to handle such adverse reactions efficiently and effectively.

Ketamine has long been the go-to choice in emergency rooms around the world as an anesthesia medication because, unlike other anesthetics, it does not decrease respiratory drive.

There has been an effort to push for FDA approval of ketamine as a treatment for depression; however, without enough funding it will be difficult to finance trials and bureaucratic navigation required for FDA approval in treating depression and chronic pain. Furthermore, past and ongoing studies demonstrate its efficacy against drug and alcohol addiction; yet as far as we are aware there has been no current push to gain FDA approval of ketamine for treating drug or alcohol addiction.

Chronic use of benzodiazepines (e.g. Ativan and Xanax) and Lamictal (Lamotrigine) may render ketamine therapy less effective, and we may recommend those medications be stopped or dosages significantly reduced at least 5-14 days before treatment. Patients on MAOi’s should not take ketamine. Consult with your prescribing doctor prior to stopping any medication.

Ketamine induces physical and mental effects that make driving unsafe after receiving an infusion, so a trusted friend or family member should accompany or transport you from all appointments during your day. You will be drowsy.

If a friend or family member are unable to transport you home, we may allow a taxi or ridesharing service instead; however, please be aware that additional 30-60 minute stays may apply additional fees.

The occasional side effects that we see from low dose ketamine treatments usually resolve shortly after treatment. We may use supplemental medications to treat nausea, anxiety, hallucinations, and/or blood pressure changes.

During the infusion, some patients report changes in their vision, speech, and thought processes. They often describe feelings of dissociation from their body. It can feel like a sedated or dreamlike state. If unpleasant hallucinations or other sensations occur, we may decrease the infusion rate and/or administer medications to minimize these experiences.

Patients generally recover from the effects of infusion within 20-30 minutes, although you may still feel some residual cloudiness and mild difficulty walking for several hours following your infusion session. You may also feel fatigued for the remainder of the day; we suggest having a low impact and relaxing remainder of their day following this treatment. How long will my relief from symptoms of depression last?

After an initial series of six treatments, we expect significant relief that typically lasts from several weeks to months. A “booster” infusion treatment may then be needed after that period has lapsed in order to continue relieving symptoms.

Unfortunately, insurance plans currently consider this form of treatment “off-label” so they do not cover costs associated with providing ketamine infusions for major depression and drug or alcohol dependency. At present we only accept cash or credit cards as forms of payment.