Frshminds’ Guide To Ketamine Clinics

Welcome to Frshminds’ Guide To Ketamine Clinics.

Selecting a ketamine clinic isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly and requires careful consideration to ensure the best possible treatment experience and outcome. Making an educated decision involves asking operators the right questions, which means you need knowledge and understanding of the following:

• The benefits of ketamine.
• Why ketamine may be right for you.
• What is reasonable to expect after ketamine treatment?
• What should my selection criteria for a ketamine provider be? Which factors do I need to consider

This is where the Frshminds’ Frshminds’ Guide To Ketamine Clinics comes in.

Our Guide To Ketamine Clinics is divided into four parts, gradually progressing from a basic understanding of why you might want to consider using ketamine on through to the basic science, and then on to the specifics of selecting a ketamine clinic, including interviews with clinic operators.

Alternatively, if you know about ketamine and just want to select a provider, visit Frshminds’ ketamine clinic directory.

How to Use Frshminds’ Guide To Ketamine Clinics

Ketamine Clinics are appearing all over North America as an accepted course of treatment for various mental health issues, such as anxiety, PTSD, pain management, and even treatment-resistant depression. Frshminds seeks to educate readers about what they can expect from ketamine therapy and how they can access it, as well as provide information about a range of well-reputed ketamine treatment centers around North America.

Ready to start your ketamine journey?

Let’s go.

You can read the Guide To Ketamine Clinics. in its entirety or use the links below to navigate to the individual sections.

Part 1: Why Ketamine? After finishing this section, you’ll have a good understanding of the following:

• History of ketamine
• Why you might consider ketamine
• What a ketamine Infusion feels like
• How much does ketamine cost?

Part 2: The Science of Ketamine reviews the neurological basis by which scientists think ketamine works.

Part 3: Conditions That Might Benefit From Ketamine. In this section, we highlight the potential benefits of ketamine for several conditions.

Part 4: Selecting a Ketamine Clinic. It covers building out your clinic selection criteria and informational interviews with providers from across the US.

If you are already knowledgeable about ketamine and just want to select a provider, click here for our ketamine clinic directory.

Part 1: Why Ketamine?

In answering the question “Why Ketamine?”, let’s take a moment to explore a bit of the history of the drug, why you might consider it as a treatment, what an infusion feels like and how much it might cost you. Ketamine has a brief yet colorful history, evolving from a battlefield anesthetic drug from PCP, to street drug to the doctor’s office, all in the 70 or so years since it was first developed.

Ketamine’s history started in the 1950s at a company named Parke-Davis. They were making a drug called PCP (phencyclidine) to use as an anesthetic. Anesthetics are substances that help reduce or eliminate pain.

PCP had strong effects as an anesthetic. It helped animals feel less pain. It also caused a unique state in them, where they couldn’t move much, but their consciousness wasn’t affected. Due to these effects, researchers considered using PCP as an anesthetic for humans. They even gave it a trade name – Sernyl.

However, there was a big problem with PCP. Instead of feeling peaceful after the anesthesia wore off, some patients experienced a state of extreme confusion. This confusion lasted for hours after their operation was done. They felt as if they had lost sensations in their limbs. Further studies showed that PCP often caused a condition called sensory deprivation syndrome in patients.

The Risks and Benefits of Ketamine

While a range of medical research reports that ketamine is safe, understanding the side effects you may experience is important. As is getting guidance from a mental health professional about the risks and benefits associated with ketamine is important. In our article, Clinical Psychologist Steve Thayer, PhD., Talks Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Frshminds had the opportunity to discuss ketamine-assisted psychotherapy’s role in mental wellness with Dr. Steve Thayer, a clinical psychologist practicing in Utah. Dr. Thayer gives readers a good overview of the benefits of using ketamine to manage various conditions.

So now that you have some understanding of ketamine, understanding a patient’s experience with the drug will be central to your decision-making. Frshminds recounted just such a situation in “Meet ‘Sarah,’ She Uses Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Depression.” She was kind enough to let us in on her experience, taking us and our readers through the effects of her treatment, how it compared to other treatments she had tried previously, and how her life has changed in the time that has elapsed since her ketamine experience.

In some situations, it may be a friend or family member struggling with depression, and you think it might be worth their time to explore ketamine as an option. We outlined The Secret of Discussing Ketamine with a Depressed Person in great detail just know you are equipped with the basic knowledge required to manage this delicate conversation.

What Does a Ketamine Infusion Feel Like?

Feeling a little (or a lot!) nervous before undergoing a psychedelic experience is natural. IV ketamine infusions are different for everyone, and individuals report different experiences with each use due to ketamine’s dissociative properties. Depending on the dose of ketamine and the length of the infusion, patients who have used IV ketamine report the following experiences:

• A feeling begins with warm dissociation from my body.
• Time seems to slow down, and my limbs feel like they’re floating away from me. I always feel relaxed and after a few minutes,
• Start to “see” shapes, colors, and sometimes entire scenes in my mind.
• Increased body awareness
• Quieting of the mind, feelings of love and gratitude,
• Death of your ego.
• Reliving past experiences from a different perspective.

The article “Your First Ketamine Therapy Session: What to Expect” guides you through what a ketamine infusion feels like and what else to expect from your first session.

Insurance and Ketamine Treatment Cost

Treatment costs depend on many factors including, the:

• Number of sessions you need,
• Time for each session,
• Level of service provided, and
• Experience of the doctor or treatment provider.

Your specific condition and the dosage you’ll need; For example, treating depression requires less ketamine compared to pain conditions. This could make depression treatments less expensive.

Ketamine doctors may suggest a series of 2 to 8 infusions. Usually, they want you to pay upfront for a complete set of IV ketamine infusions. After the initial treatments, you might need regular maintenance sessions to manage your pain or depression. The frequency of these sessions can vary a lot. It depends on you, your doctor, and what condition is being treated.

As you might have guessed, prices differ a lot from one ketamine clinic to another across the U.S. the price for each treatment can range from $400 to $2000. Frshminds helps you understand these costs in the article “How Much Does Ketamine Treatment Cost?” as it takes you through information about how much you’ll likely pay for ketamine treatment in various US cities, such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Austin.

It is important to note that as ketamine remains ‘off-label,’ private insurance and Medicare/Medicaid will most likely not approve infusion therapy sessions. However, the secret to getting health insurance to cover ketamine lies in Spravato, which contains the drug esketamine, a more powerful derivative of ketamine which comes in the form of a nasal spray. Launched in 2019, Spravato, an adults-only prescription medication used to treat depression that isn’t improving with the help of antidepressants, is currently covered by every major insurance provider in-network.

Part 2: The Science of Ketamine

Scientists think ketamine helps improve depression, but they’re not entirely sure how. Current thinking is that it involves an interaction between:

• Neuroplasticity: changes the brain’s wiring by encouraging new connections between brain cells. Our brain changes throughout our lives as we learn new things and have new experiences, changing the connections and pathways in the brain, getting rid of connections we don’t need and strengthening the ones we do.
• Glutamate: Unlike most antidepressants, which affect chemicals in the brain like serotonin and dopamine, ketamine works differently. It acts on a chemical messenger called glutamate, which is very common in the brain. Glutamate is the main chemical for sending signals in our brain, and it’s also a building block for another chemical called GABA. Glutamate helps to change the brain’s wiring, or neuroplasticity, in response to things we learn or remember.

Learn more about the science of ketamine:

• Understanding The Role of Glutamate.
• How Long Does Ketamine Stay In Your System
• Ketamine as a Rapid Onset Antidepressant. Learn about the neuroscience of how and why ketamine works in the brain, what happens in the brains of depressed patients who take ketamine, and what side effects people may experience.  

Part 3: Conditions That Might Benefit From Ketamine

Although ketamine may seem like a novel treatment, it has been the subject of research and undergoing development for decades. It’s not a ‘magic bullet’ solution to mental health issues, but it can be an incredibly powerful tool for people who have not been able to make substantial progress through traditional psychotherapy modalities and/or medication.

How effective are ketamine and psychotherapy?

In our article, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Demographics, Data and Outcomes, we showed that it could help reduce anxiety and depression, especially for people who’ve had some form of childhood trauma. The number of KAP sessions and how long the treatment lasts can directly impact how much better a person gets. People with severe anxiety or depression seemed to improve the most.

It seems that the “trippy” or out-of-body effects of the drug play a big part in how KAP helps people. Other treatments, like SSRI’s, have more side effects and need to be taken all the time or they stop working.

Browse through the articles linked above to educate yourself and weigh whether ketamine treatment may be something you’d like to pursue.

Ketamine And Depression

5 Things You Should Know Before Starting Ketamine Infusions for Bipolar Depression: Did you know that ketamine works better for Bipolar Depression than placebos or pharmaceutical solutions? Or that ketamine has anti-suicidal effects?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Depression – What You Need To Know: Read this article to find out what happens during a ketamine-assisted therapy session, what side effects to be ready for, treatment guidelines for using ketamine for depression, how to gauge whether this option is right for you, and how to prepare for your first session.

Ketamine for Unipolar and Bipolar Depression: Ketamine shows great promise for its potential in treating both unipolar and bipolar depression, with up to 88% response rates. Check out this article to read background info on ketamine therapy’s applications for these conditions, clinical trial results of ketamine treatment for each of these types of depression, and safety and tolerability.

Ketamine and Anxiety

6 Questions To Ask Before Using Ketamine for Depression: Ketamine proves incredibly helpful for the majority of patients who use it to treat depression–but nevertheless, it isn’t for everyone. These six questions will help you assess whether ketamine is for you (or a loved one).

Before Googling “Ketamine Treatment for Anxiety Near Me,”: Ketamine is quickly becoming a popular and effective treatment for many anxiety patients, including some of the most stubborn cases. Before searching for a clinic near you, read this article to get acquainted with all the background info you need to know about ketamine and anxiety.

Part 4: Selecting a Ketamine Clinic

Now that you understand what ketamine is and feel it could help you, it’s time to find a provider. Beyond assessing providers based on the criteria we outlined below, it’s important to remember that some providers work with ketamine alone, while others combine ketamine therapy with psychotherapy.

Your overall objective is to determine the level of personalized care you will get. A good clinic will not provide a ‘one size fits all’ approach but will work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. They should thoroughly assess your mental and physical health before starting treatment and adjust the approach as needed.

Here are some key criteria to consider when selecting a ketamine clinic:

• Accreditation: The clinic should have recognition from healthcare bodies, demonstrating that they meet the necessary standards.
• Experienced Staff: Staff should be highly trained and experienced in administering ketamine treatment.
• Testimonials and Reviews: Look for positive feedback from previous patients.
• Personalized Care: The clinic should tailor their treatment approach to each patient’s needs.
• Comprehensive Assessment: A thorough health assessment should be conducted before starting treatment.
• Aftercare: The clinic should provide aftercare or follow-up services to monitor your response to treatment.
• Emergency Protocols: They should have plans for dealing with any adverse reactions to the treatment.
• Comfortable Environment: The physical comfort and safety of the clinic are also important considerations.
• Transparent Pricing: The clinic should be upfront about the cost of treatment and any additional fees.

Learn more about the selection process by reading our article, How to Choose a Ketamine Clinic: Not All Clinics Are The Same, to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to make the right choice.

We can now dive into some interviews with ketamine clinic operators so you can learn about their approach to care.

Satori Health, St. George’s, Utah

Established by MD Scott Allen, Satori Health follows rigorous standards that involve taking patients through a thorough psychological assessment prior to treatment, having a medical practitioner by the patient’s side before, during, and after treatment, and providing in-depth integration support. This is a clinic where you’ll be in safe hands.  

Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles

The doctors in charge of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles have administered 13,000 IV ketamine treatments over the last seven years, making them one of the oldest ketamine therapy centers in existence. They pride themselves on having mastered the nuances of ketamine therapy necessary to optimize treatment, and they boast an 83% success rate in treating mood disorders.

Roots Behavioral Health, Austin Texas

Roots Behavioral Health is Austin’s premier ketamine treatment center. Their philosophy is all about bridging the gap between psychotherapy and medication as treatment modalities, believing that ketamine therapy integrates both and provides patients with intensive support in a highly effective way. Roots’ founders and staff maintain that ketamine can help people interrupt and re-write harmful internal scripts that keep them stuck in mental health struggles.

The Infusion Clinic of Ocala

The Infusion Clinic of Ocala, located in Florida, is particularly unique for its heart-centered approach to each client. They are committed to conveying love and support to their patients throughout all their interactions, and they aim to make their center feel less like a clinic and more like a spa.

TMS & Brain Health in Los Angeles

If highly-customized treatment is something that appeals to you, this is the clinic you’re going to want to visit. TMS & Brain Health designs bespoke programs for each patient; some may utilize intravenous ketamine, some prescribe a nasal spray, and some combine ketamine treatment with TMS (transcranial magnetic therapy). Because their founder/CEO comes from a neuropsychological background, they can fine-tune treatments in a very individually-centered way.  

Top 8 Clinics for Ketamine IV Treatments in San Francisco

Many clinics offer ketamine IV treatments in San Francisco, each with various treatment options, such as ketamine infusions, nasal spray, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

Ascend Health Center, Akron, Ohio

Ascend Health Center offers ketamine therapy in Akron, Ohio, making it one of the region’s only (and one of the best!) clinics. They are proud of their holistic, whole-person-centered approach to each client who steps through their doors.

Frshminds’ Guide To Ketamine Clinics: Conclusion

After reading Frshminds’ Guide To Ketamine Clinics, you should be equipped to understand:

• History of ketamine
• Why you might consider ketamine
• What a ketamine Infusion feels like
• How much does ketamine cost?

• The basic science of ketamine
• How to select a clinic, including knowing which questions to ask.
• If you are already knowledgeable about ketamine and just want to select a provider, visit Frshminds’ ketamine clinic directory.

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