Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us. Read below for more about IV Ketamine treatment at Innovative Psychedelics.
Ketamine is a medication that has been used for decades as an anesthetic in medical settings. In recent years, it has gained recognition for its unique potential in treating various mental health conditions.
How it Works:
Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants. It primarily acts on the glutamate system in the brain, specifically the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. By modulating glutamate levels, ketamine helps in the formation of new neural connections, promoting neuroplasticity.
Rapid Relief:
One of the remarkable aspects of ketamine is its rapid onset of action. Unlike many traditional antidepressants that may take weeks to show effects, ketamine often provides relief within hours. This fast-acting nature makes it a valuable option, especially for individuals experiencing severe and treatment-resistant mental health conditions.
Potential Mechanisms:
While the exact mechanisms are still under study, ketamine’s impact on neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and serotonin, is believed to contribute to its antidepressant effects. Additionally, it may influence inflammatory pathways, contributing to its broader spectrum of therapeutic benefits.
Conditions Treated:
Ketamine has shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Its versatility and efficacy have led to its adoption as a breakthrough therapy in mental health care.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine if ketamine treatment is suitable for your specific situation.
No. Ketamine infusions are meant to be in addition to your current mental health treatments. Our focus is to provide safe and effective Ketamine infusions. We will not be managing any of your other medications or refill prescriptions, but we are happy to collaborate with your psychiatrist and/or therapist. It is recommended that you wait at least 3 weeks after changing your medications before starting infusions. Please let the doctor know if you have recently changed any of your medications. If you need a therapist, we work closely with the team at Innovative Therapy and we’d be happy to refer you to one of their therapy professionals.
The most common side effects are Nausea and Fatigue. We offer Zofran, a preventative anti-nausea medicine, before your infusion. If nausea persists after your infusion, speak with the doctor and he/she can make adjustments to your dose and how fast or slow we run the infusion.
Since Ketamine is only approved for anesthesia, insurance will not cover treatment for mood disorders or chronic pain. In an effort to make treatment as accessible as possible, we are proud to offer the lowest pricing in Chicago at just $250 per infusion (mood disorders) and $750 per infusion (pain disorders). In addition, we offer FREE consultations to determine if IV ketamine is right for you.
We advise you to go directly home after your first infusion. After you have had a couple of treatments, you’ll have a better idea of how the medication makes you feel. It’s normal to feel a little intoxicated, tipsy or nauseous directly after your infusion. You may even feel tired and fatigued for the remainder of the day. Many people are able to return to work 1-2 hours after their infusion, but we advise you to take the remainder of the day off after your first visit to see how you feel.
Do not drive for 12 hours after your infusion. We require all patients to sign a waiver acknowledging that they will not drive for 12 hours following their infusion. This is required before treatment. Ketamine is a controlled substance and for you safety physically and legally, we take this seriously. You do not need to be accompanied by anyone; Uber, public transportation or walking are all okay.
Most medications are very safe with Ketamine. Some medications may decrease the effectiveness of the infusions; these include Lamotrigine, Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan).
Ketamine is a very safe medication overall. Patients with a history of uncontrolled high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease or neurological disorders may require a letter of clearance from their primary care physician.
Innovative Psychedelics works closely with the team at Innovative Therapy. We frequently recommend therapists to patients who are seeking therapy services. In addition, some of our therapists offer ketamine assisted therapy. This is when a lower dose of ketamine is administered, and over a longer time period, and a therapy session is done concurrently with treatment. If you are interested in seeing a therapist, or learning more about ketamine assisted therapy, please contact our office.
Ketamine has not been shown to have addictive properties. In fact, there is research to suggest that Ketamine can be an effective treatment for overcoming addiction. If you have a history of substance abuse, it does not exclude you from receiving Ketamine infusions. It is however important to disclose this to the doctor so they can develop the right treatment plan for you.
The main effect of Ketamine is dissociation. Dissociation is a temporary state of consciousness where a person feels ‘detached’ from the physical world. It has been described as a dream-like state with a floating calm sensation. Some patients report visions of colors and shapes. This out-of-body experience is why it is sometimes categorized as a psychedelic. Each person’s experience of dissociation is different and may vary from infusion to infusion.
A total of 6 Ketamine infusions are recommended within a 14-day period for mood disorder treatment. Following this series of six, patients are placed on a maintenance program where they return when they feel it necessary for a single infusion booster (typically once a month). We recommend everyone complete at least 5 infusions before terminating treatment. If you do not feel any effects after 5 infusions, we deem you a non-responder. This happens approximately 15-20% of the time.