Faqs

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. Developed out of the desire for an ideal anesthetic with analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, ketamine was first synthesized in 1962, patented in 1966 and approved for human use by the FDA in 1970. It is widely used in operating rooms for general anesthesia and in emergency departments for procedural sedation.

While ketamine is FDA approved for anesthesia, ketamine therapy for mood disorders or chronic pain is not FDA approved. Ketamine can be used “off-label” by providers skilled in its administration.

The good news is that ketamine is a very safe drug, particularly when used at low doses. That does not mean that it is without risks. Before beginning your treatments, we will review your medical and psychiatric history, current medications, and allergies to ensure that there are no contraindications to pursuing ketamine therapy. If we have any concerns regarding safety, we will ask for input from your primary care physician or appropriate specialist. We will not proceed with an infusion if we feel it is dangerous for you in any way. Every patient is monitored closely throughout their infusion via in-room cameras (not recorded) and vital sign machines, regardless of age or health conditions.

It is common to feel sleepy or “out of it”, dizzy or nauseous after ketamine therapy. If you suffer from anxiety, you may feel a little more anxious after the first couple of treatments. We can provide medications to combat nausea should you experience it. We will ask you to relax in our tranquility room before leaving the clinic. Most side effects of ketamine will resolve within minutes to a couple hours and should not persist beyond the day of treatment. Some people can experience mild headaches, more vivid dreams, and rarely nightmares, which we have seen persist for a few days after receiving ketamine.

Memory issues and bladder problems have been seen in individuals who abuse ketamine. In other words, these issues are seen when using high doses of ketamine frequently. If you have any urinary symptoms following your ketamine therapy please notify us immediately.

Low-dose ketamine, when given by skilled providers, has not been shown to be addictive.

It is common to feel sleepy or “out of it”, dizzy or nauseous after ketamine therapy. If you suffer from anxiety, you may feel a little more anxious after the first couple of treatments. We can provide medications to combat nausea should you experience it. We will ask you to relax in our tranquility room before leaving the clinic. Most side effects of ketamine will resolve within minutes to a couple hours and should not persist beyond the day of treatment. Some people can experience mild headaches, more vivid dreams, and rarely nightmares, which we have seen persist for a few days after receiving ketamine.

It is rare that we have to turn clients away for ketamine therapy due to underlying medical conditions but If you have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure, glaucoma, liver disease or thyroid disease, have certain heart issues (e.g. congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm, active chest pain), have an active substance abuse disorder, history of psychosis, active manic symptoms, delusions or hallucinations it is likely unsafe to give you ketamine.

Not exactly, but there are a number of factors that go into providing ketamine treatments to minors. We are able to offer treatments to those 13 years of age and older.