What is IV Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine is a dissociative class compound approved by the FDA for anesthesia and for sedation during medical procedures. Since its approval in 1970, it has been widely used in operating rooms and emergency departments. Ketamine’s use for the treatment of depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse is off-label and has not been approved by the FDA. However over several decades research has shown Ketamine therapies has helped to lessen or alleviate symptoms of many psychiatric disorders as well as help with chronic pain syndromes. Unlike conventional therapies, Ketamine therapy has been associated with a rapid decrease in depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. It also has been shown helpful with a variety of chronic pain syndromes and alleviating the cravings for drug and alcohol. Ketamine has a unique effect in that it can work very rapidly with patients frequently seeing improvement of their symptoms within hours of treatment. While the goal is improvement of symptoms, results cannot be guaranteed, and there is no way to predict how any individual will respond to Ketamine infusion therapy. The effects may not be long lasting and studies have shown that a minimum of 3 infusions treatments at weekly intervals increases the efficacy of treatment. Coupling Ketamine therapy along with psychotherapy, behavioral changes and other treatments such as Stellate Ganglion Blocks is designed to maximize patient benefit and sustain gains in treatment.