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By Ashley Barnes, M.S.
Reviewed by: Mark Hrymoc, MD
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy describes a process where the safe and widely used dissociative anesthetic, ketamine, is administered to patients for therapeutic benefit. Due to its safety & short-acting analgesic properties, ketamine became the most widely-used battlefield anesthetic in the Vietnam War. As time has gone on and research has been conducted, Ketamine Therapy has been found to have outstandingly positive effects on mental health outcomes.
The medication has been used to treat mood disorders such as Bipolar Depression and Treatment-Resistant Depression, chronic pain, and as an augmentation agent for psychotherapy; there is even there is growing evidence that Ketamine Therapy can improve the clinical outcomes of those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance-abuse disorders (SUD).
Ketamine Therapy is fast acting with many patients reporting noticeable improvement in mental health symptoms by the first or second session. Ketamine Therapy can be conducted through intramuscular injection (IM), intravenously (IV), or nasally, all overseen and guided by a clinician.
Ketamine’s Brain and Mind Effects
Biologically, ketamine works by lowering glutamate levels in the brain by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptors and Simultaneously, ketamine stimulates Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF), proteins that “promote the survival of nerve cells (neurons) by playing a role in the growth, maturation (differentiation), and maintenance of these cells” (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2022).
Experientially, ketamine promotes hope and different perspectives due to spiritual and psychedelic experiences. It decreases ego boundaries such that the patient can develop enhanced connection with others, making it a powerful augmentation agent in psychotherapy.
What Ketamine Therapy Feels Like
Many who undergo Ketamine Therapy treatment describe an experience of relaxation, lowered defenses, empathy, warmth, and joy. Being that ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, there is a separation of mind from sensory input; many feel dissociated much like a lucid dream. During the experience, patients may see visions or images that may hold special relevance; psychotherapists find that having patients process these emerging elements can benefit the patient.
Due to this level of dissociation, patients are able to process trauma and painful emotions without the reflexive emotional pain that would normally prevent them from talking about a painful experience.
References
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2022). BDNF gene: Medlineplus genetics. MedlinePlus. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/bdnf/#:~:text=The%20BDNF%20gene%20provides%20instructions,and%20maintenance%20of%20these%20cells.
Ketamine Therapy Center
Ketamine Therapy Center is a treatment branch from the Mental Health Center that specializes in ketamine infusion therapy.
Our doctors offer Ketamine Therapy Evaluations to thoroughly assess patients for ketamine therapy candidacy; from here, they collaborate with patients to develop treatment plans. Our office in the Cedars- Sinai Medical Office towers houses rooms specially designed for patient comfort. Our highly experienced and talented nurses are well-versed in ketamine infusion therapy and help patients feel comfortable as they move through the treatment process. Our therapists are trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and offer therapeutic guidance to enhance the psychological benefit of the treatment while simultaneously creating a grounded and safe space.
For more information, please do not hesitate to explore our website or contact our office!
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