Ketamine Therapy

What is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine is a safe, effective, and legally approved approach to treating treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions. It involves using low doses of ketamine, an anesthetic medication, often delivered through an IV. While the ketamine itself can have rapid mood-boosting effects, the real magic happens with psychotherapy. Therapists work with patients during this window of opportunity to solidify the positive changes triggered by ketamine and develop long-term coping strategies. This collaborative approach between the ketamine provider and therapist is key to unlocking the therapy’s full potential.

Ketamine Therapy | Salish Ketamine

How Salish Ketamine May Help You

Depression

IV ketamine has shown rapid and robust antidepressant effects, often providing relief within hours to days after administration. This is particularly beneficial for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), where traditional antidepressants have failed. Ketamine works by modulating the glutamate system, which helps to restore synaptic connections in the brain, potentially leading to improved mood and cognitive function.

PTSD

For PTSD, ketamine infusion therapy can significantly reduce symptoms such as severe anxiety and depression.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Ketamine has also been found effective in treating OCD, particularly when traditional treatments like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are insufficient.

Anxiety

Ketamine is effective in treating refractory anxiety, especially in patients who also suffer from treatment-resistant depression. By increasing neural plasticity and growth in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, ketamine helps reverse the neuronal damage caused by chronic anxiety, leading to symptom improvement.

Chronic Pain

In addition to its psychiatric benefits, ketamine is a potent analgesic. It can reduce chronic pain by blocking NMDA receptors, which are involved in pain transmission and perception.
Ketamine Therapy | Salish Ketamine

Safety

At Salish Ketamine, patient safety is our highest priority. Our comprehensive approach begins with an initial consultation that carefully evaluates each patient’s overall medical condition, existing health issues, and current treatments to ensure the safest and most effective ketamine administration.

Our clinic is staffed by highly qualified medical professionals, including board-certified emergency physicians, physician associates, and anesthesiologists. These providers have undergone rigorous training specifically in ketamine administration and possess in-depth knowledge of its pharmacology, potential side effects, and possible complications.

Our team’s expertise allows for quick identification and management of any adverse reactions, such as respiratory issues, cardiovascular events, or severe dissociative symptoms. We are equipped with interventions and equipment comparable to those found in emergency departments and operating rooms. In the unlikely event of a serious complication, our staff is prepared to immediately implement advanced life-saving measures, including airway management, administration of antidotes, and other emergency procedures.

By choosing Salish Ketamine, patients can feel confident they are receiving care from experienced medical professionals in a setting designed to maximize safety and efficacy throughout their ketamine treatment.

Short-Term Side Effects

Short-term side effects of IV ketamine therapy are generally mild and transient, often resolving within a few hours after the infusion. Common short-term side effects include:

  1. Dissociation: A feeling of detachment from reality, oneself, or the environment.
  2. Feeling spacey or woozy: A sense of lightheadedness or dizziness is common.
  3. Visual distortions: Changes in visual perception, such as seeing colors or patterns.
  4. Difficulty speaking: Some patients may find it hard to articulate words.
  5. Numbness: A sensation of numbness in various parts of the body.
  6. Nausea and vomiting: These gastrointestinal symptoms can occur during or shortly after the infusion.
  7. Increased blood pressure and heart rate: Cardiovascular changes are common and usually monitored during the infusion.
Ketamine Therapy | Salish Ketamine

Following up with your mental health provider after IV ketamine treatment is crucial for several important reasons:

Monitoring Progress

Your mental health provider can assess the effectiveness of the ketamine treatment by evaluating changes in your symptoms and overall mental state. This allows them to determine if the treatment is working as intended or if adjustments are needed.

Integrating Insights

Ketamine can sometimes lead to profound realizations or emotional experiences. A mental health professional can help you process and integrate these insights into your ongoing treatment plan.

Optimizing Treatment

Based on your response to ketamine, your provider may recommend adjustments to your treatment plan, including the frequency of ketamine sessions, dosage, or complementary therapies.

Preventing Relapse

Regular follow-ups allow your provider to monitor for any signs of relapse and take proactive measures to maintain the benefits of ketamine treatment.

Assessing Long-Term Effects

Continued monitoring helps evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ketamine treatment, which is crucial given the limited research on its extended use.

Supporting Overall Mental Health

Follow-up appointments provide an opportunity to address any ongoing mental health concerns and ensure comprehensive care beyond just the ketamine treatment.