Ketamine is a medication that results in rapid improvement of symptoms seen in depression and PTSD. Ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptors on GABAergic interneurons resulting in an increase in the neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate stimulates a downstream release of neurotrophic factors resulting in synaptogenesis and neurogenesis. Ketamine promotes neuronal survival and improves neurotrophic signaling by increasing neurotrophic factors such as BDNF. Ketamine results in improved neuronal health, and improved synaptic connection in the pathways involved with depression.
At Shasta Meadows Wellness Center we use intravenous Ketamine. Intravenous Ketamine may provide rapid improvement in symptoms such as suicidal thoughts. Generally patients require 6 to 8 intravenous infusions of Ketamine to see significant improvement in their symptoms. The first infusion of Ketamine is dosed based on weight. Ongoing infusions are then tailored to the patients symptoms, patient characteristics, severity of symptoms and response to each infusion.
We do not use Intramuscular Ketamine. We do provide oral home Ketamine for a select group of patients that respond to the intravenous Ketamine but did not see a remission of their symptoms.
Ketamine is extremely safe when provided by trained professionals and when used in sub anesthetic doses. Ketamine has been used in humans for decades without serious short term or long term side effects. Ketamine has very low potential for addiction with most of that potential being psychological.
Ketamine for use in these conditions is given intravenously over 1 to 2 hours. The dose of ketamine is based on the person’s weight
Ketamine is extremely safe when provided by trained professionals and when used in these low doses. Ketamine has been used in humans for decades without serious short term or long term side effects. Continuous ketamine use can lead to cognitive deficits
Side effects are minor and are transient. They may include nausea, dizziness, increase in blood pressure, increase in heart rate. The anticipated and desired side effect is a dissociative state. Some describe this as a dream state. Some may have hallucinations. All these symptoms quickly resolve after the infusion is stopped.
We recommend you continue taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor until otherwise advised by them. Many patients have seen enough improvements in their mental health to have their doctors discontinue their prescriptions after treatment.
No, you do not need a referral from your physician unless you are a veteran. But we will want to review your medical records and history. We will also work closely with your primary care doctor, psychiatrist and other health care providers as needed. Veterans will need to be referred through their psychiatrist.
Unfortunately, ketamine therapy for depression is not currently covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private insurance. Veterans may be treated at our clinic with a referral from their psychiatrist. We operate as a pay-as-you-go clinic, but our rates are very reasonable—among the lowest in the nation. Many patients have found the investment well worth the results.
