Ketamine Assisted Therapy

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The FDA approved Ketamine as an anesthetic in the 1970s. It was initially used to treat injured soldiers on the Vietnam battlefields. Over the years, extensive research has been conducted on Ketamine, and its uses have expanded.

Today, it is used to treat treatment-resistant depression, with well-documented efficacy. There are cases where Ketamine use is necessary. For example, a woman I treated suffered from treatment-resistant postpartum depression; no medication worked. She was unable to care for her baby and refused ECT or transcranial magnetic stimulation due to side effects. While Ketamine can also have side effects, it was easier to manage. After one treatment and some booster sessions, she was well enough to care for her child.

Ketamine creates a window of neuroplasticity. Preparation before and after treatment is crucial. A certified ketamine-assisted therapist accompanies you to assist with pre-treatment and aftercare. Known for its anesthetic and therapeutic effects, Ketamine is increasingly used to treat anxiety and depression.

At lower doses, Ketamine can help disrupt negative feelings and preoccupations, allowing the brain to form new, healthier patterns. In severe depression and anxiety, neurons can become stunted, leading to fewer connections.

Ketamine promotes repair by stimulating neuroplasticity, fostering new neural connections, and restoring brain function. It can help reduce negative thoughts, break old, harmful thought patterns, and improve mood (Mindbloom, Inc., 2024).

Since psychedelic drugs can be abused and may cause frightening experiences, Ketamine use in therapy must be carefully monitored.

Healthcare providers undergo specialized training on Ketamine and proven methods, ensuring positive outcomes. Here are the steps that facilitate a safe and effective experience:

Before starting treatment, a thorough evaluation is conducted to determine if this approach is suitable for you. Your therapist reviews your mental health history, discusses expectations, and sets treatment goals. You receive information about Ketamine’s effects, potential side effects, and the importance of integration sessions afterward. Each non-medical provider works with a specialized psychiatrist to prescribe Ketamine in lozenges for dosing. After this, you will be referred to a medical clinic for medication management and follow-up care.

Sessions are held in a comfortable, secure setting where the patient feels relaxed, with a therapist present. The patient administers sublingual Ketamine tablets, which dissolve under the tongue.

Post-treatment work is vital. Integration sessions help process insights and gradually incorporate them into daily life.

Ketamine treatments are a valuable tool to complement therapy. They provide rapid relief from severe depression and anxiety. By stimulating neural growth, Ketamine helps the brain develop healthier thought patterns.

As therapy progresses, the altered state experienced during treatment can access subconscious thoughts and emotions, making it easier to address deep-seated trauma or pain—particularly beneficial for PTSD or chronic mental health conditions. Studies show that Ketamine therapy can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in severe depression (The Flourishing Way, 2021).

References

Collens, (January 31, 2025) Ketamine for Depression: What to Know. Web MD https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/what-does-ketamine-do-your-brain

Jelen, L. A., McShane, R., & Young, A. H. (2024). Guidelines for the Use of Ketamine in Clinical Psychiatry Practice. BJPsych Open, 10(3), e107. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.62

Mindbloom, Inc. ( 2024) Psychedelic medicine is here ehttps://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63a1c97b43b15d4c89e1c2c4/63a2fe0b95ab8c819ab2293e_mindbloom-logo.svg

Mossburg, et. al (Tue August 20, 2024) CNN, https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/20/us/matthew-perry-death-5-charged

The Flourishing Way (2021)Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Guide: The Flourishing Way

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