Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Anxiety and Depression

Currently, the most common treatment for anxiety and depression is prescription medications. Unfortunately, these can be costly and lead to uncomfortable side effects including weight gain, constipation, fatigue and more.

But now, Ketamine infusion therapy is gaining attention for its effective role in a multi-modal approach to treat and overcome not only chronic and neuropathic pain, but also depression and anxiety. The World Health Organization has even listed Ketamine as one of its essential medicines. Used alone or in combination with oral medication, Ketamine infusion therapy is a promising treatment for patients who suffer from these conditions.

Given the fact that anxiety and depression disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting more than 40 million adults each year, the need for an effective, fast-acting treatment that provides immediate relief for patients is now more important than ever. If you rely heavily on oral medications, Ketamine may help minimize your narcotic intake and provide maximum long-term relief, helping you take back control of your life.

At the Pain and Healing Institute in Los Angeles, they combine a passion for medicine with great compassion when treating their patients. The practice boasts of two, double board-certified doctors (Drs. Samimi and Lalani) with extensive training in psychiatry, anesthesia, and pain. They create individualized treatment plans that address all aspects of anxiety and depression.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy for the Treatment of Resistant Depression

Ketamine infusion treatments are quickly being recognized as one of the most important advances in modern-day therapy for depression, and the first major breakthrough in the treatment of depression in the last 30 years since the advent of Prozac. With medical research and techniques becoming more progressive each year, traditional methods for treating anxiety disorders are becoming a thing of the past.

Standard prescriptive therapies targeting the neurotransmitters involved with mood have not shown to be effective for a large number of individuals who take them. In addition, it can be quite challenging in finding the right medication for the patient. Several trial and errors are required in order to find the right medication or combination of drugs that work. Not only that, but it can take several weeks or longer for these drugs to fully take effect. Therefore, patients will not only suffer from potential side effects but also from the frustration of any failed attempts, while sometimes waiting weeks between each medication to take full effect. However, many individuals still continue to take these drugs simply because there is no better option.  

While no single approach or type of treatment will help everyone, Ketamine remarkably has a success rate of up to 70% for patients who have tried conventional treatments and are still suffering from debilitating depression. While new investigations are underway to understand the true scope of Ketamine’s powers, current evidence suggests that Ketamine acts on depression by rebalancing a distinct set of neurotransmitters and receptors (the NMDA/glutamate receptors and GABA receptors). And combined with its ability to reset, regrow, and improve brain cells by healing and promoting synaptic connections, patients often experience immediate relief from their symptoms. Specifically, relief for symptoms associated with anxiety and depressive disorders is delivered within 3-4 hours.

FAQs

Q: What Happens During a Ketamine Infusion Therapy Session?

A: Infusions are conducted in private rooms, with special physical accommodations available to those who need them. All treatments are done through an intravenous (IV) infusion. The intravenous route is the most efficient way to deliver the treatment, ensuring the best possible results in the most efficient time.

Once an IV is placed (we use the smallest needle possible with advanced numbing techniques), the infusion will begin. The experience is usually described as pleasant and relaxing (soothing music is provided upon request), and you will be monitored using state-of-the-art equipment throughout the process. Treatments for anxiety and depression last about 75 minutes.

Once the infusion is over, you may feel light-headed for one to two hours afterward. We will monitor you after the infusion until you meet our criteria for discharge, at which point you will need a ride home. Unfortunately, we cannot allow our patients to drive themselves after a treatment, but you will be able to resume your regular activities 4-6 hours after treatment.

Q: Are There Any Side Effects?

A: Common side effects of Ketamine treatments include tiredness, mild nausea, dizziness, and dissociation. These side effects will usually dissipate within 3-4 hours after treatment and should be completely gone the following day. Your body will adapt to the medication during the series of infusions, and side effects will become less intense or won’t recur at all.

Q: Is a Ketamine Infusion Painful?

A: A Ketamine Infusion is well-tolerated. Our doctors use the smallest needle possible with advanced numbing techniques in order to keep the patient comfortable at every step of treatment.

Q: How Soon Will I Feel the Effects of Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

A: Many of our patients feel a big improvement after just one treatment. However, we recommend 4-5 treatments for optimal results. Those with major depressive disorder will often notice the immediate improvement in depressive thoughts and feelings. Other patients, however, will only notice improvements in mood after the second or third session.

Q: How Often Will I Need It?

A: For most patients, a series of 3-5 treatments is recommended to get the best results. After the series is concluded, retreatment is usually recommended every 4-6 months to maintain results.

Q: How Much Does It Cost?

At the Pain and Healing Institute, pricing starts at $600 per treatment. Packages of 5 treatments are available for $3,000 PLUS oral or nasal spray prescription & FREE consultation ($600 value).

Q: Does Ketamine Infusion Treatments Have Other Uses?

A: Yes, Ketamine Infusion therapy is used for a variety of uses, including: chronic pain conditions like sciatica, low back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and more.

Who Can Answer My Questions About Ketamine Therapy?

If you are ready to live a higher quality life and would like to learn how Ketamine infusion therapy can finally free you from crippling anxiety, call us at (310) 856-9488 to schedule a consultation. Our Los Angeles office is open on Monday to Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.