Compared to traditional antidepressants, Ketamine-Assisted Therapy has shown remarkable benefits in treating depression. The STAR*D trial, a $35 million study on traditional antidepressants, revealed that the majority of patients did not respond to the first trial, and one-third of patients never responded despite months of switching treatments.

In contrast, ketamine has been widely regarded as one of the most significant breakthroughs in psychiatry in the past two decades due to its rapid-acting antidepressant effects. Many people can experience relief within 24 to 72 hours after their first treatment, compared to the 3-6 weeks typically needed for conventional antidepressants to take effect. The antidepressant effects of ketamine therapy can extend when engaging in a longer-term protocol to help work with the increased neuroplasticity of the brain in combination with traditional therapy, self-care, and lifestyle changes to create lasting change in brain function.

Overall, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy's ability to provide quick and effective relief for depression has made it an increasingly popular and promising treatment option.

IV infusions are typically administered in a medical setting by a healthcare provider. IM or intramuscular injections also can only administered by a nurse or doctor but treatment can take place at home or a therapist’s office. Oral or racemic nasal ketamine is prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner and then can be administered by a patient with the support of a therapist. The bioavailability (or amount of drug that enters the bloodstream) differs with each route of administration mentioned above determining the effectiveness of the ketamine. Through a personalized dose discovery process, your provider considers each patient's unique absorption, metabolism, and response to the medication. This has allowed the development of an effective dose for each method to ensure the best results.

Ketamine helps re-engage the parts of the brain that were “stuck” in an unhealthy loop of behaviors and gives it the ability to create new healthier ones. Over time, stress can weaken and alter the neuroplasticity of our brain. Neuroplasticity is the brain's capacity to continue growing and evolving in response to life experiences. Oftentimes, our brain becomes resistant to change due to a variety of stressors and remains “stuck” in an unhelpful thought pattern or belief system. Ketamine works directly to restore the neural connections that allow for change to occur by boosting neural circuits that regulate stress and mood and create healthier thought patterns in the brain.

The following are indicators this not be recommended for your treatment

• Current mania or psychosis

• Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform

• High blood pressure/ hypertension (untreated)

• Arrhythmia

• Thyroid disease (Untreated)

• Active addiction

• Caution with previous stroke or vascular disease

• Caution with obstructive sleep apnea

• Pregnancy

Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used on humans in a medical setting and also in veterinary practices, including horses, due to its combination of pain-relieving, analgesic qualities. Unfortunately, like many other drugs they can be misused outside of a medical or supervised therapeutic experience. However, Ketamine used in the context of KAP is a pharmaceutical-grade medication that is administered in carefully controlled low doses under the supervision of a trained medical professional.

During a ketamine session, you may experience short-term side effects or such as a modest increase in heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, an altered state of consciousness, and impaired motor coordination. However, if you do experience these symptoms, they usually fade quickly and are gone within 2-4 hours after the session, as ketamine is rapidly cleared from your body.

If you have a history of high blood pressure, our medical team will provide you with instructions on how to monitor your blood pressure at home so that we can adjust your dose safely throughout the program.

When it comes to long-term effects, it's worth noting that the risks of long-term ketamine exposure are rare since the ketamine experiences are spaced several days apart and the program only lasts for a few months. However, if you have any concerns about potential long-term effects, we recommend discussing them with your medical prescriber who is knowledgeable about Ketamine-Assisted protocols. They can help you feel fully informed and comfortable about any potential risks.

Ketamine stands out from other psychedelics due to its unique neurobiological effects in the brain, and is actually considered a non-traditional psychedelic due to its shorter-acting duration. While the entire experience typically lasts around 2 hours on average, the deepest part of the dosing session or “psychedelic state” is usually approximately 15-30 minutes in duration. Compared to other psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, or ayahuasca, ketamine tends to be more predictable in terms of the duration and intensity of its effects.

A "psychedelic state" refers to an altered state of consciousness induced by psychedelic substances such as LSD, psilocybin, or ketamine. This state can be characterized by perceptual and sensory changes, such as a sense of floating and weightlessness, accompanied by vivid imagery, valuable insights, and spiritual experiences. Additionally, this can result in profound changes in thought and emotions. People often describe this state as a "trip" or a "journey" that can lead to new insights, self-discovery, and personal growth.

Overall, ketamine's unique properties make it a powerful tool for accelerating the healing process through safe and productive exploration of one's consciousness.

Ketamine via oral tablet, intramuscular injection, or nasal racemic ketamine has not been FDA-approved for the treatment of depression or anxiety and is considered “off-label.” However, it is a frequent practice when you receive a prescription from your healthcare provider, the medication they prescribe may not have FDA approval for your specific symptoms. The discovery that it does help alleviate additional symptoms allows for expanded use. This is known as an "off-label prescription." It's a common and legally accepted practice, with around 20% of prescriptions in the U.S. falling into this category.