What should I Expect With a Ketamine infusion?
To start, you will be asked to complete a brief survey about your symptoms.
If you do not have a current therapist, we will provide you access to our Medical Director, psychiatrist Dr. Stefan Yost.
Once we have established that you will be a good candidate for ketamine therapy you will fill out a waiver along with a health history.
We will then take you to our private infusion room where monitors will be applied for your safety.
An IV will then be placed to begin the infusion.
Once the ketamine begins infusing, you will experience mild hallucinations with what may be described as a floating feeling. We strive to adjust your dosing so that you receive just enough for a positive effect without negative feelings, as increased dosages have not been linked to better outcomes.
After the infusion is completed, you will slowly recover from the effects of ketamine. You may experience some dizziness or nausea during this period, which may be treated with additional medications as needed. Once your are recovered fully, the monitors will be removed and you will be released with a trusted friend or family member.
Each experience is different from patient to patient and from infusion to infusion. You may experience events from your past, see colors or shapes, or have different feelings in your body. All of this is completely normal. It is important to know that there is no one specific experience that is better than another. Each experience is different and what is important is attempting to maintain a peaceful environment over the next 24-48 hours as your neurons are rewired.
How should I prepare?
You should not eat or drink for 8 hours before your appointment. If you have not fasted, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule your appointment
Wear comfortable clothing.
Make sure to bring headphones/earbuds and an eye covering.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your infusion time to allow for paperwork and IV placement.
Payment will be due before services are provided.
Take your medications as you normally would on the morning of the infusion, unless otherwise directed by us.
Please arrange for a trusted friend or family member to accompany you to the infusion center to drive you home safely.
Plan on an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour after the infusion is complete for complete recovery.
Refrain from alcohol or any recreational drugs for the next 24 hours.
You should not operate heavy machinery, including automobiles, or make legal decisions for the 24 hours following an infusion of ketamine.
Results
Ketamine treatments tend to have the best outcomes when treatments are started as a series of 6 infusions followed by maintenance infusions. These maintenance infusions may be performed in the 4-5 week period following the loading period of the initial 6 doses. Maintenance dose requirements and time between treatments vary from patient to patient and are typically performed around 4-12 weeks apart. We highly recommend continuing treatment as needed as this provides the best outcome and results.