What is ketamine?
Ketamine has been used for many years as an anesthetic. It is a psychedelic medication, meaning that it alters a person’s perception, mood, and cognitive processes. It can help people “dissociate”, or feel “outside of the body”. Because of these effects, doctors began to realize that ketamine could be helpful for those dealing with severe depression or mental health issues related to trauma.
In a controlled, safe setting, ketamine delivers an experience that can provide relief for those who have not found help from traditional mental health medications.
Why Ketamine Infusion Therapy is Better and Safer than Oral or Nasal Options
5. Lower Risk of Misuse and Abuse
Ketamine infusions at MiNDSET are administered in a controlled medical setting under the supervision of Dr. Caldwell and his team, significantly reducing the risk of misuse or abuse. Oral and nasal ketamine can be more susceptible to improper use, as they can be self-administered without medical oversight. The controlled environment of MiNDSET ensures that patients receive ketamine safely and responsibly.
1. Precise Dosage Control
At MiNDSET, Dr. Caldwell ensures that ketamine infusions offer unparalleled precision in dosing. With intravenous (IV) administration, the exact amount of ketamine is delivered directly into the bloodstream, allowing for meticulous control over the dosage. This precision ensures that patients receive the optimal therapeutic amount, enhancing the efficacy of treatment and minimizing the risk of side effects.
2. Rapid Onset of Action
The onset of action with ketamine infusions at MiNDSET is significantly faster than with oral or nasal routes. When administered intravenously, ketamine bypasses the digestive system and directly enters the bloodstream, leading to a quicker therapeutic response. This rapid onset is particularly beneficial for patients experiencing acute symptoms, such as severe depression or chronic pain, providing swift relief.
3. Higher Bioavailability
Ketamine infusions at MiNDSET offer higher bioavailability compared to oral or nasal administration. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a drug that enters the circulation and can have an active effect. Oral and nasal ketamine undergo first-pass metabolism in the liver, which reduces the amount of active ketamine that reaches the bloodstream. Infusions, on the other hand, deliver ketamine directly into the bloodstream, ensuring maximum bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness.
4. Consistent and Predictable Effects
The effects of ketamine can be more consistent and predictable with infusions administered by Dr. Caldwell. Oral and nasal routes can lead to variability in absorption due to factors like food intake, nasal congestion, or individual differences in metabolism. Infusions provide a steady and controlled administration, leading to more reliable therapeutic outcomes and easier management of treatment protocols.
6. Tailored Treatment Plans
Infusion therapy at MiNDSET allows for personalized treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Dr. Caldwell can adjust the dosage, frequency, and duration of infusions based on the patient’s response and therapeutic progress. This level of customization is harder to achieve with oral or nasal administration, where fixed doses and self-administration can limit flexibility.
7. Enhanced Monitoring and Support
During ketamine infusions at MiNDSET, patients are closely monitored by Dr. Caldwell, a board certified anesthesiologist. This continuous monitoring ensures that any adverse reactions or side effects are promptly addressed, enhancing the overall safety of the treatment. In contrast, oral or nasal administration lacks this level of immediate medical oversight, which can be crucial for patient safety.
How ketamine works: Mechanism of Action (MOA)
Ketamine differs from other treatments in that it sticks to an entirely different receptor on brain cells: N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. These receptors are involved in learning and memory.
It is thought that these interactions help your brain form new connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Also, it may help to reorganize neural connections that have been diminished by stress.
The combination works
By using ketamine along with traditional psychotherapy, people find they are more able to discover the causes of their struggles – causes that had previously been outside of their awareness.
You have options. You can work with MiNDSETs own experienced clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa. Or we will consult with your existing therapist. We also provide concierge referrals to therapists we trust.
Is it safe? Yes.
No severe or long-term side effects have been shown with this specific dosage of ketamine treatment.
Isn’t it time?
Join the hundreds of thousands who have found relief with ketmine.
What We Can Treat
Our mission is to help people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. We believe ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be life changing if delivered in the right setting.
- Depression and Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)
- Adolescent and Teen Depression
- Postpartum Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Chronic Pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS)
- Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Alcoholism and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
- CRPS
What to expect/our process
4. Begin recovery.
FAQ
What is ketamine and how does it work?
Ketamine is a safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Ketamine has rapid antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment.
Ketamine works by blocking certain receptors in the brain while stimulating others, helping to form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. It also enhances the overall ability of the brain to make new connections for lasting symptom relief.
How is ketamine administered?
At MiNDSET, we provide ketamine through intravenous infusion (IV).
Who is eligible for ketamine treatment?
Ketamine is used for chronic, treatment-resistant mental and emotional conditions. This means that if you’ve been diagnosed with a condition such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other trauma-related disorders and have tried other treatments and therapy with little or no results, ketamine treatment may be right for you.
Also, if you have tried to quit drinking and have failed, Ketamine assisted psychotherapy could help you too.
How does ketamine feel?
Most people find ketamine to be pleasant. You may feel “far from your body” and experience shifts in your perception. Your motor skills and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the treatment. These effects generally last for about 45 minutes.
How do you combine ketamine with psychotherapy?
After the effects of the ketamine have worn off, we give you space to process and discuss your experience with your therapist. Sometimes it’s hard to verbalize what happens during your experience, but most people feel that the insights they gain are very clear.
Why combine ketamine with psychotherapy?
When used within a personal therapy relationship, ketamine can help people better identify and work through difficult experiences and behavior patterns. People can gain new insights that are just not possible otherwise.
Other clinics offer ketamine treatment alone, but we believe that combining ketamine and psychotherapy together in a safe, comfortable space can truly lead to transformation.
How many and how frequent are the sessions?
Research has proven that you will need 6 sessions within 6 weeks. How you choose to do so is up to you.
Is KAP covered by insurance?
I do not accept insurance at this time. You will be responsible for the session fees. The bill we provide can be submitted to your insurance company for possible coverage in your out-of-network benefits.
Fees include the initial meeting in which we assess your eligibility and needs, preparation and integration sessions, and the first hour of your dosing session. You will not be able to seek reimbursement for time beyond the first hour of your experiential session.
The prescription costs for the ketamine medication are not covered or reimbursed by insurance at this time.
Please call the number on your insurance card and make sure you understand any mental health benefits you may have, as they may cover a portion of your sessions or consultations.
How much does it cost?
Costs:
- MiNDSET follows the protocal which requires 6 treatments in a 6 week window recommended by leading academic institutions in the U.S.
- Each treatment cost $500.
- Unfortunately, at this time neither private insurance nor Medicare/Medicaid cover treatment.
- It is our hope to partner with several foundations in the future to make this breakthrough treament available to everyone in need.
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