Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Treatment for Mental Health & Chronic Pain
What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine improves the cell signaling in the brain and helps reverse brain atrophy (shrinking) that is seen in patients with depression. Many find relief of symptoms after just ONE infusion with lasting effects weeks to months after completion in the initial series. Boosters can be required after the initial series depending on your results and a continued way to control symptoms. There are several steps we will go over to help you determine if boosters are needed for your case. Ketamine, just like any drug, is not a cure; it is a treatment meant to aid in reducing symptoms.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy & Depression
Depression affects 300 million people a year and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Intravenous (IV) Ketamine Infusion Therapy is thought to be 70-80% effective in treating the most difficult cases of treatment-resistant depression.
Ketamine is the world’s fastest acting antidepressant and is highly effective. However, there are still those patients that do not respond or are unable to tolerate the treatments. Some patients also take longer to respond than others. Do not expect overnight complete recovery. Expect small improvements in the beginning. They can even be day to day. Some do not notice benefits for one to two weeks after the final treatment in their series. Continued evaluation of symptoms daily is key in keeping track of progress. Many patients feel journaling helps them see their overall changes and progress.
Intravenous Ketamine
vs. Oral Antidepressants
Typically, oral antidepressants take effect after 6 to 8 weeks of daily continued use. Patients that received Ketamine Infusion have reported relief in symptoms as early as the first 24 hours after the first infusion. Ketamine is absorbed immediately, allowing for faster relief of symptoms.
Depression in Veterans
The United States has a veteran population of 20 million. The estimated diagnosis rate of depression is 14% – up to 2.8 million veterans. One-third to one-half of those veterans may be considered treatment-resistant. We are determined to help as many of our veterans as possible. The current system requires VA patients to pick up records in person; otherwise, they can potentially have to wait up to 6 months for records to be sent. The other option is to visit our clinic and log into your patient portal where we may download them with you electronically.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
Ketamine can treat a wide range of mental health and pain conditions. With the help of your referring physician, we can determine if Ketamine is right for you. This is not a one protocol fits all type of treatment plan. Each patient is different and needs their treatment plan tailored to how they respond.
Have you been diagnosed with any of these mental health conditions?
MDD
Dysthymia/ Cyclothymia
Chronic depression
Bipolar
Suicidal ideation
PTSD
OCD
Adolescent depression
Postpartum depression
General anxiety
Panic anxiety
Social phobias
Our team will evaluate your personal condition and history to increase the chances of your success and then determine the appropriate protocol for your specific needs. We work alongside your referring physician to help you gain mobility and start enjoying life again. Reducing your pain is our goal. We continue to work with you and your physician to decide how best to adjust any medications you are currently taking.
Do not abruptly stop taking any medications. Abruptly stopping any medication can cause serious harm. Your team will work with you and your physician on a tapering plan where we will gradually wean you off any medications.
Do you suffer from any of
these pain disorders?
CRPS
Phantom limb pain
Regional pain syndrome
Neuropathies
Fibromyalgia
Crohn’s disease pain
RSD
Lichen Sclerosis (LS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Post treatment late stage
Lyme diseaseInclusion body Myositis (IBM)
Chronic pain causes over-sensitive neurons, a persistent state of hyperactivity and inflammation.
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor blocker. Ketamine Infusion reduces the increased sensitivity to pain, hyperactivity, inflammation and allodynia. Allodynia can lead to the triggering of a pain response from stimulation which does not normally cause pain, like the brush of a feather causing pain). The most important benefits include the ability to reduce opioid intake, possible long term pain reduction, and large numbers of treatable conditions.
Precautions for Ketamine Infusions
Patients with severe coronary artery disease. All heart disease patients will require cardiac clearance prior to any Ketamine Infusions. Ketamine does increase heart rate, blood pressure and other cardiac functions during the infusion. Some patients with heart disease cannot handle these changes and it is safer to not partake in these treatments.
Glaucoma patients - would require clearance by your ophthalmologist.
Patients with elevated intracranial pressure.
Patients taking beta blockers with a history of congestive heart failure.
Patients with Wolff-Parkinson White (WPW) Syndrome.
Typical Effects of Ketamine Infusions
Dissociation - with thoughts, memories, surroundings or actions
Profound analgesia - reduction in pain
Vivid dreams or hallucinations
What Should You Expect During Your Infusion?
Your initial infusion will be started at a low dose to see how you tolerate the medication. As long as you adjust well to the infusion, we will continue to make adjustments at each infusion treatment session to get to the dose that gives you the most symptom relief. We use a set of questions before and after each infusion to help guide how we make adjustments. Always keep in contact with your referring physician and our MBIT clinic should you have any changes that you find concerning. If any thoughts of suicide occur you should immediately contact your physician, our facility or promptly visit the ER. There is help; never think you are alone.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.orgMind and Body Infusion Therapy generally tries to avoid benzodiazepines for anxiety prior to infusions as some studies suggest they can reduce the effectiveness of Ketamine Infusion Therapy. However, we will determine their use on a case-by-case basis. There are other alternatives we can use first should you need something extra to help you be relaxed and calm.
The “dissociation phase” (see Typical Effects of Ketamine Infusions above) is thought to be a key phase in the Ketamine treatment protocol. For some patients, this is a pleasant experience, while others find it scary. We are here to help, whether that means sitting with you and guiding you back to more positive thoughts or adjusting the infusion.
The Ketamine mental health infusions generally last about 40 minutes with a short recovery period.
Ketamine pain infusions go over 4 hours and have a longer recovery time of about 45-60 minutes. We will also provide intravenous (IV) fluids while you receive this infusion to help with any side-effects or after-effects while giving your body a bump in hydration.
All patients receiving Ketamine Infusions must have a person to drive them home. This cannot be any form of public transportation unless another friend or family member is with you.
All Ketamine patients will receive anti-nausea medications prior to their infusion. Our goal is to prevent it rather than fight it after the fact.
Most patients during their infusion are not able to walk due to the effects of the Ketamine Infusion; thus, going to the bathroom is a challenge. We will have you use the restroom right before we start and again as soon as you are mobile. Some patients feel they are not able to control their bladder during the session so they wear a Depends for their infusions. We recommend you do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. Most of the fluid administered will be at the end of the infusion during recovery to avoid any issues.
Side Effects of Ketamine Infusions
Nausea and vomiting - medications can be given to counteract these effects. This is also part of the reason we require nothing by mouth for 6 to 8 hours prior to infusions. This includes food, non-clear drinks, candy, chewing gum or chewing tobacco. It is recommended to have a high clear carbohydrate drink prior to infusion to help reduce nausea. We will provide options and instructions for you. Diabetic patients, please let us know what diabetic medications you are taking so we can give you instructions on how to adjust your medications. The nausea can last during and several hours after infusion.
Lightheadedness and dizziness can last a few hours to a few days after infusion depending on the dose and number of infusions received.
Increase in cerebral blood flow. This is not an issue with patients that have no issues with intracranial pressure.
For high dose infusions, blurry vision or double vision can occur, which may last for several hours after infusion completion.
Mood swings and mild on and off anxiety for the first few days post-infusion until the ketamine has a chance to work fully in the brain.
Increase in heart rate and blood pressure during infusion. This usually resolves once infusion is complete. Medications can be given to prevent this from happening.
Increase in saliva.
Nystagmus (involuntary movement of the eye).
Hypertonus (muscle overactivity).
Rare/Very Rare Side Effects
Patients that have used ketamine daily over a long period of time have reported getting interstitial cystitis. This is not typically seen with short term IV treatment plans. Always consult a urologist if these symptoms develop.
Worsening anxiety or bipolar symptoms (most common in those with bipolar disorder). It can cause worsening of mania symptoms in someone with mania. Ketamine should not be given to people with Schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder that are prone to breaks from reality or hallucinations as there is a rare possibility that Ketamine can cause worsening of psychosis in those patients.
Elevated liver enzymes can occur. This is more likely to occur in patients who take Opiates, drink alcohol, use a lot of Tylenol or have a fatty liver.
Real Patient Reviews
Anonymous Ketamine Patient
“From the moment I walked into the pristine clinic and was greeted by Bobo, the friendly clinic dog, my anxiety eased, paving the way for a positive treatment experience. Key to this process was Amanda, whose expertise and care in tailoring my ketamine dosage to my specific needs fostered a deep trust in the treatment.
I noticed improvements immediately after my first session, with intrusive thoughts quickly becoming a thing of the past. It's critical to understand and trust that ketamine assists in rebuilding neural pathways over time, and while it may work more slowly than other treatments like psilocybin, the results are tangible.
To sustain the benefits and prevent relapse, occasional booster treatments are recommended, which I've found to be a prudent element of my treatment plan. Yet, it's not just about the infusions—it's also about maintaining positive habits, such as practicing gratitude and positivity.
In summary, ketamine infusion therapy has been a game-changer for me. It's important to approach it with an open mind and a commitment to complementing the medical treatment with personal growth. This integrative approach has led to significant and enduring improvements in my well-being.”
Fred F. - Ketamine Patient
“FWhat does a K-infusion feel like?
As the K begins to take effect, I will take some deep breaths. Each time I exhale, all the weight and anxiety in my body is released. It’s my favorite part. Total relaxation!
The music takes over and guides me through the whole experience as I go deeper. I always listen to slow, meditative music (flute/piano/guitar) with very little singing. As the music changes, so does the scenery. I will “see” lots of different colors that slowly change from one pattern to another. Or I will “move” from one room to another. Like I’m looking for something. Each room brings up different emotions and thoughts.
Sometimes I will get a large view from above, like Google Earth, and then slowly bring everything closer and closer. All the way down to the microscopic level. Just amazing! ”
Anonymous Ketamine Patient
For those who are seeking ketamine therapy to treat their mental health but are wary because of preconceptions, I encourage you to try it. Unlike first-line treatments, Ketamine is fast-acting and provides more reliable relief for a variety of mental disorders. Ketamine patients undergo hour-long infusions just once every few weeks after an initial loading period. Aside from the acute effects of the infusion and the residual effects lasting a day, patients feel relief without the additional feeling of being medicated on a daily basis.
This is crucial for me because my experience with other antidepressants has been overwhelmingly negative. Other antidepressants came with side effects I needed to weigh against any relief I felt, and those side effects often augmented stress and negated the benefits of the medication. Most antidepressants only masked or dulled my symptoms, but this is not the case with ketamine. I feel lucid with ketamine, and I experience an absence of depressive symptoms instead of the masking I felt with past treatments. My mind doesn’t feel blunted, I’ve experienced no negative changes to my personality or interest, and I can go about my life without feeling weighed down by depressive symptoms or medication.
I approached ketamine therapy without any expectations. I wasn’t looking for a specific benefit, and I think that helped me be more open to what it had to offer. Regular infusions have led to the mitigation of my most severe symptoms, including suicidal ideation. The relief ketamine provides in that area is one that no other treatment has provided and has made me a full advocate of its therapeutic capabilities.
Being able to live without certain depressive symptoms has sensitized me to them when they begin to return, and I’ve learned to detect when it’s time for my next infusion. The relationship I've developed with my mind has strengthened as a result of being a ketamine patient, and I’ve learned to navigate depressive episodes with objectivity I wouldn’t have gained if it weren’t for ketamine. Ketamine has helped me recognize unhealthy patterns in my behavior and given me the motivation to change those unhealthy behaviors. It has liberated me from being at the mercy of my mental health. I urge those who are looking for mental health treatment to be open to this novel therapy.
Sudie - Ketamine Patient
“First thing: be very proud of yourself that you're making an excellent choice in moving forward in your battle against depression.
Second thing: be very assured that in choosing to start with this groundbreaking treatment, you couldn't have picked a more professional or caring place than MBIT and Amanda Angus and her fabulous crew!
I was pretty darn apprehensive, well, ok -- downright scared -- at my first visit.
What the heck was I getting myself into? I mean, psychedelics??
But I was just at such a crushing crossroads, so tired of the 'black abyss' of deep sadness that inevitably haunts my entire being from November until late March, regardless of the prescribed meds I take.
Thus, my search for help led me to MBIT & 'Saint Amanda.'
Once all the paperwork between MBIT & my psychiatrist had been completed (and Amanda was a huge help with that, too!), which convinced me how professionally operated MBIT is, I made that first appointment.
Amanda and her assistant, the ever-adorable Windy, made me feel very comfortable. Each treatment room has incredibly comfy full recliner seats, and as suggested by Amanda prior to my visit, made even more snuggly by my bringing along a favorite throw blanket, as well as a custom music track I put together on my phone & a good noise-canceling headset.
And FYI -- Amanda's darling little Chihuahua, Bobo, is always happy to curl up on your lap for added peace of mind if so needed...
Once my vitals were taken and checked, monitors on my finger and chest were put in place, and any oral meds, if needed (i.e., I got a very mild relaxant), were given. I filled out the evidently usual questionnaire -- that helps ascertain your current degree of depression -- my IV line was installed in my arm (just a little pin prick burn) and hooked up to the quietly whirring small machine on a table next to my chair.
Once I was comfortable in my recliner with a blanket on & headset/music playing, the lights were turned off; the door slid partly closed (and the door had a glass window, so I didn't feel isolated), and the adventure began.
In about 4 or so minutes, I began to feel fuzzy around the eyes, then the inside of my head, and within 8-10 minutes or so, my mind gently started on an adventure, which increased in activity but never got chaotic. My brain was never still, and yes, images certainly became distorted but never terrifyingly so, and then I was swiftly flying over beautifully vivid beaches and mountains, in and out of funky buildings and rooms, meeting & waving to all kinds of people...even giggling a little bit.
The music really helped; I had mixed peaceful classical with peaceful modern instrumental, which all flowed nicely, guiding me along my journey. After a while, I realized I couldn't move or even speak very well, but someone was quietly checking on me constantly, so I never felt scared or alone.
And after a while, maybe 30-40 minutes or so, my mind started clearing, and I slowly returned back to my comfy chair and blanket, with Amanda at my side, welcoming me back with her kind, kind smile.
I was pretty darn wobbly, so I stayed in the treatment room until I felt more confident standing up. I had some residual dizziness for a short bit, but that cleared up within 15-20 minutes. Once home, I napped for a few hours.
Note -- you are not allowed to drive yourself to these treatments; you must have a ride to and from MBIT. Trust me, you're discombobulated for a few hours after.
I continued with the Ketamine treatments from November through March, starting off with the recommended visits every few days, then bi-weekly, to weekly, to every 2 weeks, and to monthly.
Now, it is November again, the sun has deserted me, and I am back in the confident, compassionate care of MBIT monthly. I am already feeling much stronger and mentally calmer than I usually am entering this tougher time of year.
MBIT has helped me tremendously. I am proud of myself that I pushed myself to try Ketamine after doing many hours of research & reaching out to others who are in my same mental/emotional head space.
I am so grateful to Amanda Angus and her MBIT staff for giving me a better life!”
Ketamine for Depression
Anonymous Ketamine Patient
“In September of 2021, I was diagnosed with CRPS in my left foot; the suspected cause of my diagnosis was most likely the trauma of a foot fusion surgery. In October of 2022, I tried Ketamine treatments at another facility that was covered by my insurance. This doctor administered approximately half the dosage that I’ve been given at Mind and Body Infusions. After doing a significant amount of research, I found that my precise dosage was most used for patients with depression and anxiety. My previous ketamine dosage at the other facility gave me very little relief from my CRPS. I was told about the Mind and Body Infusions on two separate occasions. Once was by my Wellness Therapist, and the second was recently by my Pain Management Doctor. If you are like me and living with CRPS, you get to a point where you are willing to do anything to silence this pain, even to get the smallest amount of relief.
I made the decision in October to give the ketamine treatments another try, but this time to go to the Mind and Body Infusions. How can I describe it? I would say it’s difficult to describe the process during the treatments, but when the infusion is over, you have very little recollection of what has happened. I've done two ketamine infusions so far, and I would say I am currently getting around 30 - 40% pain relief. I was told my pain would kick up again but that I would feel the full effects of the treatment over a period of 4-6 weeks.
The Mind and Body Infusions team has been beyond wonderful with their care for me during my treatments. I would say the treatments at their center have been far different than my first experience at my previous center. I adore Bobo; he is the Therapy Dog who came and sat with me while my IV was put in. You can bring music with noise-cancelling headphones and comforts from home such as a cozy blanket or pillow, but I did opt for just earplugs without music for my experience personally. The room is private, and you feel very comfortable and safe in their care. I truly felt like they have been able to create a perfectly balanced environment with medical care professionals that you can trust but with a much more relaxed environment than you would typically expect at a traditional hospital.
After the IV is put in, you are given a specific Ketamine treatment with special vitamins, and the dosage is adjusted just for you. Once your treatment starts, you just drift off peacefully to sleep. It's a very heavy sleep. I experienced a big black space with some neon psychedelic lights. I remembered thinking to myself if I open my eyes, will I still be in the treatment room? and when I opened my eyes, I was still there. Then I closed my eyes and went right back to my deep, dark sleep.
I have had such a positive experience so far with the pain relief I’ve had since starting my treatments at Mind and Body. I have felt a decrease in the pins and needles and the burning in my heel. I have also already booked my next two infusions for optimum relief. This is by far the most hopeful I have felt in the 3 years since I received my initial CRPS diagnosis. I am so grateful I gave it another try.
Even though the treatments aren’t covered by insurance and I don’t have a lot of money, I wanted to do whatever I could to find a solution for myself to be able to give these ketamine treatments another chance. So, with help from mind and body, I was able to apply for a non-interest-bearing credit card because, at the end of the day, if there is something that can significantly help me lead a better life while managing this horrible pain, there's no price I could put on that chance. And I am so grateful that Mind and Body Infusions has finally given me an opportunity to get a new lease on life with a lot less pain. I am looking forward to my continued treatment plan here, and I’m finally looking forward to all the new possibilities in my future.”