Ketamine Treatment Procedure: Understanding Its Operations, Anticipated Outcomes, and Eligible Candidates
Ketamine infusion therapy is an innovative and rapidly acting treatment option for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and other challenging mental health disorders. This treatment, which shows significant and often rapid improvement in depressive symptoms, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and certain chronic pain conditions, has response rates typically between 40-60% [1][3][5].
Effectiveness
One of the key advantages of ketamine infusion therapy is its rapid onset. Patients often experience noticeable mood improvement within hours to days after the first infusion, unlike traditional antidepressants that may take weeks [1][3]. Approximately 40-60% of people with TRD respond well to ketamine infusions [1].
Beyond depression, ketamine is effective for PTSD, anxiety disorders (including GAD and panic disorder), OCD, eating disorders, and some substance use disorders [3][5]. The benefits can last several weeks to months, and periodic maintenance sessions help sustain improvements [1][3].
Process
Ketamine is administered intravenously in a controlled clinical setting, usually over about 40 minutes per session [2][5]. A typical treatment involves an initial series of infusions—often 4 to 6 sessions over 2 to 3 weeks—followed by maintenance treatments as needed [3][5]. Patients are monitored for side effects and response during and after each session.
Ketamine's action involves modulation of glutamate neurotransmission and stimulation of neuroplasticity, which reorganises brain circuits to break negative mood patterns [3][5].
Potential Side Effects
Most side effects are temporary and occur during or shortly after the infusion. Common side effects include dissociative sensations or feelings of detachment from reality, nausea, increased blood pressure, dizziness or headache, sedation or fatigue [4]. Serious adverse effects are rare when treatment is properly supervised in a medical setting.
Patients generally tolerate these sensations well, reporting the experience as "spiritual" or "pleasurable." These sensations are considered the dissociative effects of ketamine. During these sensations, patients struggling with depression, anxiety, or rumination will feel much less of and/or distant from those negative symptoms. Some people experience a feeling of slight separation between themselves and their bodies, and their hands and legs may feel far away.
If treatment is not covered by insurance, each session typically costs $600 out-of-pocket. The IV will be started by the doctor, and you'll begin to feel relaxed mentally and/or physically.
Your first step toward considering ketamine infusion therapy is a consultation with your healthcare provider. If you're interested in ketamine infusion therapy, contact us at 844-867-8444 to schedule a consultation. In rare cases, patients may have a more negative experience, which are generally brief and usually resolve within 10-15 minutes after stopping the infusion. Ketamine infusion therapy is gaining traction for treating anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD, in addition to major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression.
- Ketamine infusion therapy, effective for treatment-resistant depression and various other mental health disorders such as anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders, boasts response rates of approximately 40-60%.
- In the health-and-wellness sector, ketamine infusion therapy, administered in a controlled clinical setting, is recognized for its innovative and rapid acting nature, offering significant improvement in mood within hours to days.
- Science has revealed that ketamine works by modulating glutamate neurotransmission and stimulating neuroplasticity, thus reorganizing brain circuits to break negative mood patterns.
- While there are potential side effects like dissociative sensations, nausea, increased blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches, these are temporary and are generally well-tolerated by patients.
