What is Ketamine?
Ketamine, introduced in the late 1960s as an anesthetic and more recently known as a recreational party drug, is now paving the way for a new and highly effective type of depression treatment. Ketamine is so fast-acting that a patient might feel better in as little as a few hours after an infusion. It is often used as an alternative treatment for those who have not had success with other types of traditional depression treatments. For those who are suicidal or in desperate need for relief from depressive symptoms, ketamine can truly be a life-saving drug.
More research is still being done to help us understand why ketamine works so effectively. One likely reason is that ketamine blocks the NMDA receptors in the brain and activates AMPA receptors in a process called synaptogenesis. This process affects mood, thought patterns, and cognition. Researchers found that the benefits of ketamine began as soon as 4 hours afters an infusion, peaking at 72 hours, with results lasting as long as two weeks post-infusion. Up to 70% of patients experience relief through ketamine for depression.
Cost of Infusions
Depending on the clinic, the cost of ketamine infusions can range from $450 to $700 per infusion. The website Ketamine Clinics Directory shows the lowest price listed at $225 per infusion, with some clinics charging as much as $700 per infusion. Most clinics recommend 4-6 initial infusions. It depends on your insurance, but in most situations, ketamine infusions will be out of network—it may still be up to you to pay upfront the costs. Many clinics offer financing to make these treatments more accessible.
Potential Side Effects
The biggest risk is the potential for physiologic and psychological dependence, although that risk is lowered dramatically when properly administered by a professional. If done correctly, ketamine should leave the patient feeling relaxed and calm. But the recreational misuse of ketamine can lead people to have anxiety and agitations, along with other intense visual and audio hallucinations. While ketamine is not physically addictive, it can be psychologically addictive when abused recreationally.
What an Infusion Feels Like
Many report that a ketamine infusion feels like a mild, non-threatening hallucination of some sort. You may feel a physical sensation of heaviness, but at the same time feel like your mind is separate from your body. You may feel detached from emotions but with astounding mental clarity.
How to Choose the Right Clinic
Finding a reputable and trustworthy ketamine clinic is paramount if you are interested in ketamine for depression or chronic pain. Here are some tips for finding the right ketamine clinic:
• Find a ketamine clinic that’s evidence-based and data-driven—ask about their protocol and the evidence they have to support its efficacy
• Make sure your clinic will communicate and work with your psychiatrist, as this is a joint effort between your psychiatrist and the doctor or nurse administering your ketamine.
• Make sure your clinic doesn’t sugarcoat everything, and lays out all the goods and bads of the infusion process.
• Question the clinic about safety measures. Who will be present during the infusion? What kind of background and experience does the staff and doctors have? What are the procedures with monitoring during the treatment?
Ketamine can be a life-saving infusion for those suffering from serious depression. Over the past 20+ years, research has consistently showed that ketamine is highly effective and safe for the treatment of depression. If you or someone you love is suffering from severe depression, anxiety, PTSD or another mood disorder, ketamine might be the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact our Modesto, CA ketamine clinic today for a free consultation and find out if you are a candidate.
Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics
Please contact our Modesto, CA ketamine clinic for a free consultation, and to find out if you are a candidate for ketamine infusions. We look forward to supporting you on your journey to a better quality of life.