Frequently Asked Questions

Ketamine increases chemicals that transmit signals in your brain aiding your brain function and connectivity, especially in areas that have been underactive due to a mental health disorder. Ketamine also increases the formation of new connections between neurons (neuroplasticity). The front part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions (the prefrontal cortex) may grow in areas that previously shrank due to a mental health disorder. In addition to the chemical processes in the brain, essential experiences also occur in your own perception of thoughts, feelings, and emotions (your mind). The dissociative state induced by ketamine can lead you to profound positive shifts in your consciousness; this is the beginning of your integration experience. The experiences you have during your integration are invaluable and instrumental in your healing.

Learn more about how ketamine works here.

Ketamine has been safely used for over 60 years as an anesthetic medication and is considered an essential medication by the World Health Organization. Most people can safely receive ketamine therapy when used by experienced providers in a clinical setting. We take extra precautions to ensure your comfort and safety and thoroughly discuss if ketamine may not be the appropriate treatment for you.

Administering ketamine through an IV is considered the gold-standard as it ensures we can precisely deliver your ketamine at a specific rate. You will start to feel the effects of the medicine within a few minutes after the infusion begins, and we will monitor you the entire time. Most patients report feeling relaxed, and some have a slight floaty feeling. The infusion can be paused or slowed based on your comfort and if anything is unpleasant or overwhelming we can stop it completely, but this is very rare. If you have a strong preference for receiving ketamine through an intramuscular injection instead, this can be considered.

Ketamine is not a good fit for those who have a history of increased intracranial pressure, history of increased intraocular pressure, history of interstitial cystitis, history of schizophrenia or psychosis, history of ketamine dependence, recent history of bipolar mania, or current or unstable cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure or recent stroke or heart attack).

Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders is considered off-label, and therefore are most likely not covered by insurance. We are happy to provide an invoice for your medical intake and integration therapy session, which your insurance may provide full or partial reimbursement for.

We highly recommend you commit to at least 4 ketamine therapy sessions (ideally 1 session a week) as each experience is different and the creation of new brain pathways is reinforced with each subsequent ketamine infusion and therapy session. The frequency of ketamine therapy sessions are guided by how you are feeling and changes on your symptom rating scales.

Ketamine, especially when coupled with therapy, has shown an 83% success rate with treatment-resistant depression.

During an infusion, you will be receiving a psychedelic dose of ketamine delivered in a slow and controlled manner through an infusion pump. This amount of medication will not cause you to lose consciousness, and you will be able to speak with us anytime you wish. Side effects are rare, generally mild, and limited to the day of the infusion. The most common side effect is a slight increase in blood pressure or heart rate. If you are predisposed to nausea, we can provide medication to prevent nausea prior to the infusion.