Ketamine therapy is an innovative treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and chronic pain. It is a dissociative anesthetic and has been used for decades within the hospital setting to treat pain in situations such as physical trauma, fractures, and abdominal, arm, back, and leg pain. Historically it has been used on the battlefield to reduce pain and induce dissociation among wounded soldiers. Since the early 2000s, psychiatrists and researchers have been exploring the beneficial impact of ketamine on depression and other psychological disorders.

Ketamine Therapy in Phoenix is Designed for Depression and Other Mental Health Disorders

Due to its rapid relief and fast-acting effects on the brain, ketamine can rapidly reduce thoughts and feelings of suicide. It has also been shown to quickly relieve symptoms of depression. In contrast, other antidepressants, such as SSRIs, can take weeks to months to feel the subjective benefit. SSRIs and other antidepressants are still the first lines of treatment for individuals struggling with depression and mood disorders. However, ketamine is a promising treatment for those who experience treatment-resistant depression and refractory depression or for those who have severe and debilitating depression that needs immediate relief.

In addition to treating depression, ketamine also has been used to treat the following mental health conditions:

Patient receiving intravenous treatment while seated in a clinic, illustrating a ketamine therapy Phoenix for mental health

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How Ketamine Impacts the Brain

Ketamine has an anti-depressant effect on the brain in several ways:

  • By targeting the NMDA receptors in the brain, ketamine binds to these receptors, which increases the amount of glutamate (a neurotransmitter) in between neurons.
  • Ketamine helps the brain develop new neuropathways that help neurons communicate with one another.
  • Ketamine changes the way the brain experiences inflammation—which can be a cause of mood disorders.

Ketamine works by targeting NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in the brain. These receptors play a critical role in mood regulation and the development of new neural connections. By blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine increases levels of glutamate—a key neurotransmitter that helps brain cells communicate more effectively. Think of it like opening new lines of communication between brain cells, which can rapidly improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The most reached form of ketamine is delivered intravenously. However, the FDA just approved a nasal form of ketamine. The administration of ketamine treatments impacts the brain differently, and research is currently underway to learn more about the benefits, side effects, and differences in administration.

Is Ketamine Safe?

Ketamine treatment for psychological disorders is administered in much smaller doses than when ketamine is used medically as an aesthetic.

Ketamine can have addictive properties, so if you struggle with substance use disorders, it is important to share this with your provider to explore the risks and benefits and prevent misuse. However, research has indicated that ketamine can support your recovery from substance use disorders by reducing cravings and prolonging periods of abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.

Side effects of ketamine usually resolve within 24 hours of dosage. They include:

  • Dissociation (an out-of-body experience)
  • Perceptual alterations (experience of altered time, blurred vision, hallucinations, strong sensory awareness of sounds and textures).
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • High blood pressure

How Ketamine Therapy Works at Camelback Recovery

At Camelback Recovery, we take a personalized approach to ketamine therapy, ensuring that each patient receives the most suitable treatment based on their unique needs. The process begins with a comprehensive assessment, where our mental health professionals evaluate your medical history, current symptoms, and past treatments. We work closely with you to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific condition, whether it’s depression, PTSD, or chronic pain.

  1. Initial Consultation: During the first session, you will meet with a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in ketamine therapy. This session will help determine the appropriate dosage and treatment frequency based on your health profile and therapeutic goals.
  2. IV Ketamine Infusion: We administer ketamine through a carefully monitored intravenous (IV) infusion. This method ensures quick absorption, allowing the drug to act rapidly on the brain’s neurotransmitters. Our clinical team closely monitors you during the entire process to ensure safety and comfort.
  3. Integration with Psychotherapy: To enhance the long-term benefits of ketamine therapy, we integrate it with psychotherapy sessions. This combination strengthens the new neural pathways created by ketamine and helps reinforce healthier thought patterns.
  4. Ongoing Evaluation: Throughout your treatment, our team will regularly assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary. Follow-up sessions are scheduled to ensure sustained recovery and to explore tapering or extending treatments based on your progress.

At Camelback Recovery, we believe that ketamine therapy is not just about immediate relief but also about fostering long-term mental wellness.

Personalized Treatment for Every Patient

At Camelback Recovery, no two treatment plans are identical. Each patient’s journey is unique, and our experienced team tailors every aspect of your ketamine therapy to your specific mental health needs. Whether you’re suffering from treatment-resistant depression or PTSD, our goal is to provide fast-acting relief while laying the groundwork for sustained recovery.

Doctor smiling while discussing ketamine treatment options with a patient, highlighting an alternative approach for mental health care

Ketamine Treatment Regimen

While there are no standard guidelines about how many ketamine infusions to administer, most research studies offer eight treatments. After this, you will work with your doctor to determine taper, cessation, or continued treatment. Providers recommend combining your ketamine therapy with psychotherapy. Ketamine helps to create new neuropathways in the brain, and psychotherapy helps to reinforce these new pathways by supporting behavior change.

What to Expect During Ketamine Therapy

Healthcare providers will generally create personalized ketamine therapy programs for each patient, as no two needs are precisely the same. However, there are a few things you can expect during the treatment process.

First, your doctors will determine the right amount of ketamine. Some conditions require higher doses of ketamine than others. For example, treatment-resistant depression will likely require higher initial doses. However, you can generally expect low-dose ketamine (regardless of the condition treated), as higher doses can cause psychedelic side effects.

Once your proper treatment has been decided, you’ll attend an appointment during which an IV line will be placed in your arm so the ketamine can be administered. Medical professionals, including an anesthesiologist, will monitor you during the whole ketamine therapy. Your original planned dose may be increased or decreased based on how well you respond to the medication.

Your appointment will likely take an hour or less, depending on your response to the therapy and what you’re using the ketamine to treat. Your plan may include ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, which means you’ll speak with a trained counselor during or after your treatment.

You should have someone to drive you home after your ketamine therapy has concluded, especially if it’s your first dose. Everyone responds to the treatment differently, and you may not be in the right state to drive yourself home.

If you have side effects (psychedelic or otherwise), you should expect to stay at the treatment center for additional time so medical professionals can monitor you. How much extra time you remain in clinical settings depends on the reaction or side effect and how quickly you recover. It’s essential to understand most people don’t have serious side effects after receiving a ketamine IV infusion. When side effects of ketamine do occur, they’re usually mild and short-lived.

Key Ways Ketamine Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health

Intramuscular injection of ketamine hydrochloride is quickly becoming one of the most promising alternative therapies for numerous mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder. If you’re considering ketamine therapy for your severe depression symptoms or other mental health problems, understanding the key benefits of doing so can help you make the most informed choice.

A few of the most significant benefits of ketamine therapy include:

  • Improved neuroplasticity: Ketamine therapies help patients improve their mood and thought patterns by helping neurons communicate along new pathways inside the brain’s neural network.
  • Improved synaptic connections: Since ketamine therapy activates the mTOR pathway, it helps heal damaged synapses within the brain.
  • Decreased pain: A ketamine infusion helps block excessive pain signals, promoting a better quality of life for those living with chronic pain disorders. As a result, ketamine therapy also decreases the need for narcotic pain medications, which carry a high risk of substance abuse.
  • Fast results: Unlike medications like SSRIs that can take weeks or even months to improve symptoms, ketamine therapy can provide results as soon as after the third injection and last significantly longer than alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Most patients begin to feel the effects of ketamine after the first or second infusion. Some may notice improvement within hours, while others may need a few sessions before significant relief is felt.

Ketamine therapy for mental health conditions is often considered experimental, so coverage can vary depending on your insurance provider. We recommend contacting your insurance company to verify your coverage. Camelback Recovery can help you explore payment options.

A typical ketamine infusion session lasts about 40 minutes to an hour. You will be monitored during and after your infusion to ensure your safety and comfort.

Most side effects, such as mild dissociation or nausea, resolve within a few hours. Long-term side effects are rare, especially when trained medical professionals administer the therapy in a controlled environment.

Yes, we recommend that someone drive you home after each session. While most patients feel normal soon after the infusion, ketamine’s dissociative effects may temporarily impair your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.

Start Your Recovery With Ketamine Therapy Today

At Camelback Recovery, we offer ketamine therapy as well as psychotherapy. If you’re tired of frequent doctor visits, traditional pain medications and antidepressants that don’t work for you, contact us or call 877-801-2941 today to speak with a specialist at our Phoenix treatment center who can support you in finding the right treatment for your situation.