Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT) is growing in popularity across the US for its benefits to provide immediate relief to patients with trauma, OCD, and treatment-resistant depression.
Under medical supervision, patients are given a low dose of ketamine to induce a hypnotic state that makes it easier to work through emotional distress. The short, but intense, ketamine experience can help patients learn insights about their emotions, cognition, motivation, and behaviors.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, usually used in minor surgeries for people. And sometimes as a tranquilizer for animals. It affects receptors in key regions of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These areas are responsible for motivation, emotional processing, reward processing, and memory.
KAT produces a fast antidepressant effect. It was approved by the FDA in only 2019 but already has a success rate of over 52%. Due to its quick effectiveness and little to minimal side effects, it has become one of the most successful treatments for treatment-resistant depression.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Work?
Under clinical supervision, KAT is administered over a few sessions, with many clients finding a reduction in their symptoms after just the first session. Ketamine can be administered through IV infusions, lozenges and intramuscular injections.
Unlike typical antidepressants, which tend to take a few weeks to feel the positive effects, ketamine provides immediate relief of symptoms. Many patients find long-term relief after just the first few sessions. Your mental health provider and medical staff monitoring the session will learn your unique needs and help you prepare your mind to work through insights after your session.
Ketamine therapy is not a first line of treatment such as antidepressants or CBT. It must be approved by a mental health professional or licensed doctor before beginning treatment. During your first consultation, your provider will give you a list of how to prepare for your first ketamine treatment.
Does Ketamine Therapy Have Side Effects?
One of the benefits of ketamine therapy is that it has little to minimal side effects compared to some other psychiatric medications.
Ketamine is extremely safe when administered properly. However, there are a few side effects that can occur. These include:
- Dizziness
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Increased heart rate
- Change in blood pressure
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Blurry vision
- Sweating or flushed skin
Side effects usually go away within minutes to hours after ending the ketamine session. It is also important to prepare your mind and body to mitigate potential side effects. Some helpful tips include:
- Get a good sleep the night before your session
- Avoid drinking or eating before the session
- Avoid violent or distressing content before the session
- Dress comfortably
- You must have transportation from your appointment. Avoid driving or operating any heavy machinery after your ketamine session.
Who Qualifies for Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy is most commonly used for treatment-resistant depression. It is designed for patients who have tried other treatments with no relief.
Other mental health disorders ketamine treatment can benefit include OCD, trauma syndromes, and substance abuse disorder.
The Harper Approach
If you’ve already tried conventional methods of mental health treatment with no relief, ketamine may be a good option for you. At Harper Clinic we offer ketamine lozenges and intramuscular injections. Ketamine therapy must be approved by a licensed mental health professional before treatment can be administered. Harper Clinic offers an easy 3-step consultation process to patients looking for treatment.
- Get in touch with Harper Clinic either by text, phone call, a form on their website, or through their direct Vagaro booking.
- Schedule your first consultation with a provider so they can help you design a treatment plan tailored to your specific health needs.
- In your first individual assessment, your provider will verify insurance, and learn your medical history, goals of treatment, and what you have already tried in the past.
Your provider may recommend a different treatment such as medication, or conventional therapies first such as CBT, DBT, or EMDR. However, this is on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the criteria as a successful ketamine therapy candidate they will approve you for treatment and schedule your sessions.
Stories of Success
Learn more about the power of ketamine therapy from people who have experienced the benefits. Eva Pilgrim from Good Morning America visited a ketamine clinic to learn more about the direct experience and its benefits from patients.
Sources:
Ketamines Promise for Severe Depression Grows. Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan.
