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KETAMINE
THERAPY
FOR DEPRESSION & TRAUMA
KAP is the process of integrating ketamine into the therapeutic process. There are two purposes to using ketamine:​
​1. The medicine has a dramatic and lasting effect on various mental health conditions.
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2. The psychoactive element of ketamine allows us to access parts of the mind that we typically cannot get to through talk therapy. This is similar to how ideas, thoughts and images occur during a dream.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine was originally developed in the 1970's as an anesthetic. It has been used in hospitals for decades due to its efficacy and safety.
Recently, we have discovered Ketamine's antidepressant and therapeutic effects.
What is Ketamine Used For Therapeutically?
Most often, it is used to treat two conditions:
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1. Depression (particularly treatment-resistant depression)
2. Trauma (PTSD, complex trauma).
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We now have strong evidence demonstrating ketamine's efficacy for several other conditions, including: anxiety, OCD, alcohol and substance use disorders, eating disorders, stress, bipolar disorder, and more.
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KAP is typically a series of about 5-6 sessions, although you can do 1 stand alone session to start.
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Studies show that ketamine is much more effective at treating depression than traditional antidepressants (80% vs. 33%), and Ketamine takes effect much quicker (1-2 weeks vs. 4-6).
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You can come in specifically for KAP, or integrate it into your longterm therapy.
What is the Process Like?
1. Prep: Medical screening to determine if KAP is right for you. We will collaborate with one of my trusted psychiatrists and/or medical doctors to determine your eligibility.​
2. Dosing Session: You administer ketamine either through an oral lozenge or intravenously. We will determine the best method for you.
3. Integration: you will rest and relax after your ketamine dosing session. Any feelings of drowsiness and disorientation will resolve in about 1-2 hours. The following day we will process & integrate the experience.
Is Ketamine Safe?
Yes. Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic at higher doses for decades. We have recently discovered that ketamine has therapeutic effects when administered at lower doses.
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Side effects? The side effects are very minimal. These include drowsiness and disorientation. These will resolve within 1-2 hours of the treatment.
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Is there a risk of dependence/abuse? Studies show that this risk is very low. If you have a history of substance use, a careful assessment is needed to determine if this treatment is suitable for you. You can learn more about Ketamine's safety here.
How is Ketamine Administered?
There are 4 routes of administration. Only one of these methods (oral ketamine) can be done at home. The other 3 are given at a doctor's office. There are pros and cons to each method, so we will carefully review each before choosing the best treatment method for you.
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1. Intravenous (IV)
2. Intramuscular (IM)
3. Oral
4. Nasal
What is the Mechanism of Action?
Ketamine creates what’s known as neuroplasticity--the brain’s ability to literally pave new pathways--allowing us to change our thinking and our emotions. Chronic stress and depression, conversely, decrease neuroplasticity. When we are depressed, for example, our thinking tends to be more rigid and fixed--making it difficult to take in new data that is positive and anti-depressive.
What does a Ketamine session look like?
Prep:
- No food/water 4 hours prior to dosing.
- Avoid alcohol or other exogenous substances or at least 24 hours.
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Session:
- You will take the medicine laying down comfortably. You will typically put an eye mask on and listen to meditation music throughout the session.
- Your blood pressure will be taken prior to administration.
- Expect to feel acute effects of ketamine for about an hour.
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Post:
- Allocate at least another 30 mins for recovery
- Do not drive the rest of the day. Plan to relax and be sedendatary for the next few hours.
What does Ketamine "feel" like?
Physically, ketamine effects most folks in the same way. They feel a numbness, fatigue and disorientation. Emotionally, the experience varies dramatically as folks enter into a "dream-like" state. As we all know, dreams can be vivid, profound, thrilling and also jarring. Don't worry. We will spend ample time in therapy preparing you for your ketamine journey. What you can expect to experience is a state of awe, wonder and transcendence.
Is Ketamine Right for me?
If you're curious about ketamine therapy, let's explore if this treatment is right for you. As always, we'll start with a thorough evaluation to make sure you are an ideal candidate for this treatment. Luckily, ketamine is very safe for most candidates. The most common contraindication is a history of psychosis or cardiovascular disease. But we will take the time to thoroughly ensure ketamine will benefit your mental health.
You don't have to do this alone.
Choosing a therapist is a very personal task. We can start with a 15 minute consultation call. These calls are free of charge and will hopefully provide us an opportunity to get to know one another. I can give you a sense of how I work, but more importantly, you can see if I’m the right fit for you. Then we can craft a strategic plan to help you achieve your goals.
