Common Ketamine Questions in Louisville KY

Ketamine is a fast-acting medication with various intriguing effects on mood, suicidal thinking, anxiety, and chronic pain, although it was not originally created to treat those conditions. Ketamine was developed in the 1960s and used solely as an anesthetic for surgical procedures. For instance, ketamine was used as a field anesthetic by medics and physicians during the Vietnam War. Emergency medicine doctors use ketamine for procedural sedation and as an alternative to opioids for pain management. Ketamine is what’s known as a “dissociative anesthetic.” The word “dissociative” means that it produces feelings of detachment from the environment and self, as well as changes in one’s sensory perception at higher dosages. The word “anesthetic” refers to reaching a controlled state of muscle relaxation, as well as a temporary reduction of pain.

When administered in low-dose infusions, ketamine is a medication that may provide relief of symptoms in 58-73% of clients with conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, rapid cycling bipolar disorder, acute and chronic pain conditions, anhedonia (loss of interest in doing things one usually enjoys), complex regional pain syndromes, migraines, daily persistent headaches, fibromyalgia, phantom limb pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, opioid reversal therapy, irritable bowel syndrome, neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, suicidal ideation, anxiety, postpartum depression, refractory cancer pain, and other treatment-resistant conditions.

Unlike conventional therapies, ketamine assisted psychotherapy doesn’t follow the standard talk-based approach. Patients often describe their experience as a “guided journey” that is supported by a medical professional, coach, or therapist. Ketamine promotes neuroplasticity in the brain, the reorganization of neural networks and pathways. This is further enhanced through the use of psychotherapeutic intervention and support while a person receives a series of ketamine infusions administered through an intravenous (IV) drip. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy has shown remarkable results in helping patients break through the barriers and defenses that traditional therapies sometimes struggle to penetrate. The guided experience allows individuals to confront distressing emotions, fears, and traumatic memories, fostering a sense of acceptance, self-compassion, and healing. It provides a unique opportunity for introspection that enables individuals to gain precious insights into their mental health challenges.

You will be assisted by a wellness coach during ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Our wellness coaches are also licensed therapists, counselors, or psychologists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with training and experience in diagnosing and treating emotional problems. While there are some similarities between coaching and psychotherapy, they are very different activities, and it is important to understand the differences between them. Those differences will be explained to you during the initial consultation. There is additional information about this in Reclaim Wellness Group’s consent for treatment form.

Aside from its sedative and analgesic effects, ketamine manages pain by acting against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA), a chemical receptor found in the nervous system that modulates pain. Ketamine has been shown to be useful for patients who have taken opioids for pain and found them to be ineffective.

Medical staff at Reclaim Wellness Group administer ketamine through an intravenous (IV) pump. IV ketamine infusions work faster than other methods (i.e., nasal ketamine). When administered through an IV, the ketamine goes directly into the bloodstream. In contrast, nasal ketamine has to go through several structures of the nose before reaching the bloodstream. The concentration of ketamine is lower in nasal form, whereas the concentration of IV ketamine can be controlled and adjusted by the physician to maximize its therapeutic benefits.

The medical staff at Reclaim Wellness Group will review your list of medications during an initial consultation to make sure you are eligible for ketamine treatment. You should notify the medical staff if you are taking Lamictal (Lamotrigine) or benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax [Alprazolam], Ativan [Lorazepam], Valium [Diazepam], Klonopin [Clonazepam], etc.). You do not need to stop taking antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclics prior to receiving ketamine. Opiates, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories do not interfere with ketamine. Please do not adjust your dose or frequency of use of any medication prior to an infusion without first consulting with your prescribing practitioner.

Low-dose ketamine infusion, when given to relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant conditions, is administered as an “off-label” use. Approximately 30% of all prescribed medications are used for off-label purposes. Off-label drug use refers to the practice of prescribing a drug for a different purpose than what was originally approved by the FDA. Off-label use of medications is legal and common in the medical community. The ability to prescribe drugs for uses beyond the officially approved indications is commonly used to good effect by healthcare providers.

Possible side effects of ketamine infusion treatments may include, but are not limited to, fast or irregular heartbeat, increased or decreased blood pressure, vivid dreams, confusion, irritation or excitement, a floating sensation, jerking or twitching in the muscles, muscle tension, confusion, decreased thirst, lack of appetite, headaches, a metallic taste in the mouth, constipation, blurry vision, double vision, nausea, vomiting, and memory changes. Rare side effects of ketamine may include, but are not limited to, allergic reactions, pain at the injection site, increase in the pressure inside of the eye, inflammation, increased likelihood of bladder infection, respiratory complications, hallucinations, euphoria, involuntary eye movements, low mood, and suicidal thoughts.