What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine, known for its sedative effects on humans and animals, has gained popularity among partygoers for its psychedelic properties. However, it has also become a hot topic due to its potential as a rapid-acting treatment for depression and other mental health issues, especially for treatment-resistant depression and acute suicidal thinking.
Despite the excitement surrounding ketamine therapy, confusion remains about its mode of action and how to locate a doctor who offers it. To clarify these concerns, we have answered the most frequently asked questions about ketamine therapy.
Who Can benefit from ketamine therapy?
A frequently asked question is, who is ketamine therapy for, and is it for me?
Ketamine therapy is for individuals struggling with severe mental illnesses who have not seen improvement from other medications. It has been thoroughly studied in those with treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation and may also be effective for individuals with PTSD, OCD, bipolar depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. However, those with psychosis are typically not considered candidates for therapeutic ketamine.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found significant reductions in depression symptoms among users. 72% of patients reported improvement in their mood, and 38% became symptom-free after ten infusions.
Ketamine IV Therapy can be highly effective for people suffering from severe depression, Suicidal ideation, PTSD, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, OCD pain, and addiction.
Research data shows that ketamine therapy for chronic pain is effective for a multitude of types of pain, including:
- Neuropathic pain
- Cancer pain syndromes
- Phantom limb pain
- Central pain syndromes related to stroke or trauma
- Chronic migraine headaches
- CRPS or RSD
- Fibromyalgia
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Post-herpetic neuralgia
Often addiction is associated with depression. So, can ketamine therapy help with addiction?
According to research on this matter, the answer is yes, but assessment by a medical professional is necessary.
Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Studies demonstrate that ketamine can act quickly as an antidepressant, improving symptoms for many patients within hours or days. While long-term data is lacking, early studies with small sample sizes have shown that ketamine therapy can significantly and rapidly reduce depression symptoms in 50-70% of patients. In contrast, traditional antidepressants may take up to six weeks to take effect and may not work for some individuals.
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which affect brain chemicals related to mood, ketamine impacts a different neurotransmitter called glutamate. It can trigger a series of changes in the brain, biochemically, structurally, and functionally, and works by making the brain more receptive to therapy or different ways of thinking.
Other psychedelic drugs like psilocybin (found in “magic” mushrooms), LSD, and MDMA (ecstasy) are studied for their therapeutic benefits for various mental health conditions. Still, esketamine and ketamine are the only psychedelics legally prescribed outside of clinical trials.
How Ketamine Therapy Works
Ketamine iv therapy which is administered through intravenous infusions lasting around an hour, with an additional half-hour of quiet time before discharge
In a clinical setting, patients receiving ketamine therapy typically sit in comfortable chairs and listen to music while administering the treatment. The number of sessions can vary. KetaMind Clinic Israel recommends an initial course of six treatments over two to three weeks.
All infusions are administered at our clinic in comfortable, private treatment rooms.
Most patients bring their own devices, earbuds, or headphones to listen to music while undergoing treatment. We strongly discourage using your devices to make phone calls, texting, or email during the treatment. Those accompanying you are welcome to bring laptops, iPads, iPods, and cell phones.
What Ketamine Therapy feels like?
Patients who have undergone ketamine therapy describe it as an experience of floating outside their body and a detachment from their physical selves. Some people report increased sensory awareness with brighter colors, while others experience uncontrollable crying or anxiety. Some side effects of ketamine therapy include drowsiness, poor coordination, feelings of disassociation, and unreality. An increase in blood pressure can also occur, making monitoring during treatment essential.
Most patients experience a mild dissociation or inner reflective experience that is generally well tolerated and often quite enjoyable. If you find it unpleasant in any way, we can make adjustments to minimize or eliminate any unpleasant sensations. Within 15 minutes of ending the infusion, your thinking will be clear. There are no delayed “flashbacks.”
Ketamine provides patients with a mental break from distressing thought patterns and negative thinking. Many patients find psychotherapy more productive during and after the therapy, and their behavior patterns easier to change. Psychiatrists noted that ketamine therapy not only acts as an antidepressant but also suppresses the anti-reward circuitry in the brain responsible for shame, self-reproach, and suicidal tendencies. Patients often describe ketamine treatment as peaceful, serene, tranquil, and beautiful.
A Ketamine therapy patient who had been struggling with depression and anxiety for two decades shared that he regained the ability to cook, hike, read, and interact with coworkers and described feeling “great” and better than ever.
Many studies on Ketamine intravenous therapy revealed a substantial decrease in suicidal thoughts, with a reduction of 85%.
Pain patients often suffer from a “central sensitization” process where pain signals increase in frequency and intensity over time. Ketamine resets pain receptors and blocks pain signals, restoring a healthier balance.
Is Ketamine Safe?
According to practitioners, ketamine therapy is safe when administered under supervised conditions and after careful patient screening. However, it is essential to note that all medications carry some risks, and ketamine is a regulated, controlled substance. A full assessment and medical history need to be considered by a medical professional before starting treatment.
We highly advise not engaging in driving, work, caring for children, or stressful activities for the rest of the day following a treatment session.
Is Ketamine Therapy Legal? And are ketamine therapy clinics legal?
Yes, ketamine IV therapy (ketamine intravenous therapy) and clinics are legal in Israel so long as they follow the necessary guidelines and approvals for every patient seeking treatment and qualified medical professionals administer infusions.
Ketamine is an anesthetic approved for medical use in 1970. Still, it’s used “off-label” in treating psychiatric conditions,” meaning it is legal for doctors to prescribe, but it is not FDA-approved for that specific purpose.
The use of ketamine for mental health treatment is growing among physicians. However, there are no set guidelines for its prescription.
Where & How to get Ketamine Therapy
KetaMind Clinic Israel offers ketamine iv therapy.
If you’re considering therapeutic ketamine, speak with a trusted medical professional. If you don’t know of any medical professional who could assist you, call KetaMind Clinic Israel to assist you with finding one.
Ketamine therapy has become widespread in the USA among medical professionals in mental and non-mental health fields. In Israel, Ketamind Clinic Israel is currently the only dedicated clinic offering Ketamine Therapy in Israel.
Can I self Medicate with Ketamine?
Legally, it is not possible to self-medicate Ketamine IV Therapy in Israel.
Ketamine is a controlled substance and should only be administered by medical professionals.
In any event, self-medicating with ketamine is strongly discouraged because it can lead to physical and psychological side effects. Medical supervision is crucial in case patients who need support or guidance.
Why is ketamine not widely used?
Ketamine Therapy is a new type of ‘off-label’ treatment of which the benefits of ketamine infusion therapy for depression, pain, anxiety, and other disorders was only recently discovered and researched.
Ketamine is gaining recognition among many medical professionals as a treatment option for certain mental health disorders.
Ketamine therapy in Israel is incredibly new, with KetaMind Clinic Israel being the first (and only as of the publication of this article) dedicated Ketamine therapy clinic in Israel.
However, since ketamine is a generic drug with a readily available supply, pharmaceutical companies have no financial motivation to conduct a comprehensive and high-quality clinical trial.
Is Ketamine Therapy covered by insurance?
In Israel, Ketamine used in depression therapy, PTSD therapy, and other mental health treatments is considered “off-label” and is not a service typically reimbursed by insurance companies. As such, patients must cover the costs of their treatments.
With internal insurance consulting, KetaMind Clinic Israel is happy to provide a superbill to any of our patients who request one so that they can submit a claim for reimbursement with their insurance provider.
How Much Does Ketamine Therapy Cost?
The evaluation is typically followed by 2-3 treatments per week for 1-2 months. Further assessment is subsequently made regarding the continuation or cessation of additional therapy.
We proudly offer a Heroes’ Discount for IDF soldiers.
It’s important to note that ketamine is considered a treatment, not a cure, and some patients may require ongoing treatment.
About KetaMind Clinic Israel
Managed by Hayim Raclaw and Founded by Prof. Michael J Drescher, Dr. Stuart Seidman & Aron Frankel, KetaMind Clinic Israel is the first dedicated KetaMind Therapy Clinic in Israel.
Ketamind’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care for people suffering from afflictions, where the benefits of Ketamine infusion therapy have demonstrated efficacy as a treatment option.
We have private treatment rooms for all of our patients. We have developed a compassionate, low-stimulation environment to allow the patients to focus on themselves, their thoughts, and their emotions during the treatment.
KetaMind Israel offers Ketamine Therapy for depression, ketamine therapy for anxiety, ketamine therapy for pain, and ketamine therapy for PTSD.
Research has shown that ketamine therapy, in many cases, is the best therapy for PTSD.