FAQ

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Schedule III medication (the same class as Tylenol with codeine). It is considered a “dissociative anesthetic.” With high doses of ketamine, the brain is temporarily less aware of the senses. This causes a state of dissociation between the mind and the body. Ketamine has been commonly used in emergency medicine, procedural medicine, anesthesia, critical care medicine, battlefield medicine and general hospital medicine since 1970. It is considered a safe medicine with few side effects, and is listed on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Essential Medicines List (EML) for all health care systems.

How Does Ketamine Work?

Ketamine acts upon many different receptors in the brain. Its main effect is as an NMDA-receptor antagonist. It blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor on certain brain cells. One effect of this blocking is that the brain can create new connections and interactions between different areas of the brain. For example, it seems that ketamine turns down activity in what has been called the default mode network, and turns up connections in other regions of the brain.

There is evidence that ketamine stimulates the growth of brain cells while strengthening and creating new connections between brain cells. In this way, it seems that ketamine can enhance neuroplasticity, or the ability for the brain to change its connections and even structure.

Ketamine has different predominant effects at different doses. At low doses, it can decrease pain and anxiety and improve mood. At higher doses it can create a trance-like state where the brain is less aware of the senses. This state can be profoundly creative, healing and transformative; we refer to this as a “transformative space.”

What Is Ketamine Assisted
Therapy?

When ketamine is used to augment therapy, we call this ketamine assisted therapy (KAT). The use of ketamine can provide a respite from habitual patterns of thought and can bring compassionate awareness to past traumatic experience(s). Clients often discover new perspectives that provide therapeutic break-throughs. Ketamine assisted therapy can be considered a form of psychedelic assisted therapy.

How Will I Feel During The Session?

With low doses of ketamine, most people feel a deep sense of calm and curious receptivity. With the higher doses of ketamine that we use for KAT, your “ordinary state of consciousness” is altered, inviting a “non-ordinary state of consciousness” (NOSC). For every person, every time, the experience is unique. We ensure ample preparation before your ketamine session and compassionate support during your session to create the optimal space for a safe, enjoyable and transformational experience. We provide specialized integrative supportive therapy after your KAT sessions to facilitate lasting change.

Is It Legal?

Yes. Ketamine has been FDA approved for use as a dissociative anesthetic since 1970. Recently, a nasal spray form of ketamine was approved for use in some types of depression.

Are There Side Effects?

Every medication has side effects. Ketamine is remarkably safe and well-tolerated, but there are sometimes side effects. Side effects may include temporary nausea, vomiting, dizziness, impaired coordination, elevated blood pressure or elevated heart rate. During our intake, we will discuss these in more depth.

Is It safe?

Ketamine has been proven to be remarkably safe in a variety of doses and settings. However, it is important to use ketamine only under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Can Ketamine Be Addictive?

Ketamine is not physically addictive in the way substances such as alcohol or opioids can be. However, it can be addictive if used recreationally or without the supervision of a trained healthcare provider. There are cases of psychological dependence in some people. It is important to use ketamine only as directed by a healthcare provider.

Are There Studies Published About
The Benefits Of Ketamine Therapy?

Yes! We have a partial list of interesting articles here. Be advised, these can be technical. We are happy to discuss further:

Is Ketamine Assisted Therapy Right
For Me?

Some potential indications for ketamine assisted therapy include:

Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety
Substance use disorders
Eating Disorders
Headaches/Migraines
Pain Disorders
Palliative and end-of-life care

Does Insurance Cover Ketamine Assisted Therapy?

Most insurance does not cover the cost of ketamine assisted therapy. However, we can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. You might also be able to pay with FSA/HSA funds.

We do not want cost to be a barrier to your receiving care. Please inquire if you feel that cost may be a barrier.

How much does it cost?

Our pricing reflects the priority we place on preparation and integration. We believe this model brings about the deepest and most durable transformations in our clients. Rather than just infusing ketamine or providing an experience without a therapeutic context, we have both a physician and a therapist present throughout your session to create the optimal transformational container.

That said, we do not want price to be a barrier to your healing. We will provide a superbill that you can present to your insurance company. Many patients are able to obtain at least partial reimbursement for their treatments. We are also starting to work with several non-profits that may be able to help defray some of the out-of-pocket expenses. We are open to conversations regarding how to make this an accessible treatment for you.

Who Should Not Take Ketamine?

Some mental health conditions need extra care with ketamine. These may include bipolar disorder or mania and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. If you suffer from these conditions, you will need to be under the close and active care of a psychiatrist. We will need to have active collaboration with your psychiatrist and consider treatment on a case by case basis.

Those suffering from active substance use disorder will need to be under the care of an addiction medicine specialist. We collaborate with several providers. Please inquire with us.

Some medical diseases will need extra care. We will discuss these during our intake to ensure safety. These conditions include:

Coronary artery disease
Hyperthyroidism
Hypertension
History of stroke or heart disease

What is psychedelic assisted therapy

Psychedelic medicines are substances that can change perception, mood, and cognition (the way one thinks) inducing what is considered a “non-ordinary state of consciousness.” These states of consciousness can bring about profound transformations in perspectives and thought patterns when properly supported. The intentional, supported, and therapeutic use of psychedelic medicines is considered psychedelic assisted therapy.

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