FAQs

Medical contraindications for the use of ketamine are poorly controlled high blood pressure, recent stroke or heart attack, recent head trauma, significant kidney, liver, lung, or heart disease, seizures, excessive use of alcohol, or active illegal drug use. Psychiatric contraindications include schizophrenia, psychosis, and mania. Ketamine is started as an induction sequence of 6-8 infusions twice a week and then maintenance treatments are often every 6-8 weeks from there on. Every person is different and we work with you to discuss what feels right for you. After each treatment, we will evaluate how you are doing and making clinical decisions on your plan of care that is unique to your experience.

Infusions are generally 40 min long, requiring an intravenous (IV) line to be started somewhere on your arm. You will have a recliner in a private room and be attached to a monitor for your heart, breathing and blood pressure. Remember not to eat for 6 hours and not to drink liquids for 2 hours prior to your appointment. Avoid cannabis the day or your treatment and minimize your alcohol consumption. A ride home is mandatory for treatment. Bring a blanket (if you prefer to use your own), headphones, and a good playlist. Music is an important part of the experience. Avoid stressful situations prior to your treatment. Wear loose fitting clothing.

Most people report nausea as a side effect, we have medications to treat that and Ketamine can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to rise, which we also treat if needed. Most people report feeling tired and “fuzzy” during the treatment and some require a nap when they get home. Most patients report an immediate increased mood, energy, and motivation, ability to feel joy, return of hope, decrease or resolution of suicidal thoughts, decreased anxiety and less irritability.

Yale scientists explain how ketamine vanquishes depression within hours | Yale News How Ketamine Drug Helps with Depression > News > Yale Medicine

Most insurance does not cover the day of Ketamine infusion therapy but we can bill insurance for the psychiatric evaluation and any psychotherapy or medication management you receive at our clinic. We will provide you with a superbill of your treatment and you can submit it to your insurance if we are out of network.

SPRAVATO®, or Esketamine, is an innovative FDA-approved treatment that has relieved thousands of individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation. Administered as a nasal spray under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider, SPRAVATO® is unique in that it may be able to alleviate symptoms of depression within hours rather than the weeks or months a typical antidepressant may take. While a standard antidepressant, such as the SSRIs Fluoxetine (Prozac) or Sertraline (Zoloft), targets specific neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin, SPRAVATO® targets the NMDA receptor within nerve cells and helps reset these connections between nerve cells. SPRAVATO® went through both short-term and long-term trials before the FDA approved it for use with treatment-resistant depression. Initial SPRAVATO® series involve two treatments a week for four weeks, one treatment a week for four weeks, and either weekly or every other treatments in the last four weeks. Maintenance treatments are unique to the individual and we can cater to your unique needs.

Spravato is covered by more insurances though it does require a preauthorization approval, which may take time and currently requires that you have attempted a minimum of two antidepressants and been unable to tolerate or felt inadequate relief. Spravato does require more time for monitoring and does not need an intravenous line. You would self administer in your nose, sit back and relax while we monitor you for two hours. Ketamine infusions are self-pay so they can be started very quickly as they do not require insurance approval. Ketamine administered directly into the bloodstream has a faster onset so it requires less monitoring time overall and your brain receives more of the medication allowing for improved symptom relief.

If you are interested in Ketamine treatments, you would start with emailing your interest on the link on the website. We will email you in response, any information you need to know and set up a 20 min phone consultation with Ashley to discuss what you are looking for help with and ensure you are a candidate for ketamine treatment. We look forward to hearing from you.