Here at Psychiatry Unplugged, we offer Ketamine therapy to alleviate symptoms of treatment-resistant depression and Major Depressive disorder. This drug is known to be used as an anesthetic and also has dissociative and hallucinogenic properties. Ketamine increases the activity of neurons, resulting in neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the capacity of the brain to build and restructure synaptic connections, which is especially useful for introducing new behavioral and thinking patterns. Ketamine can be administered in a few different ways but not all ways are FDA-approved for treatment.

Ketamine is a veterinary drug that is mostly used as an anesthetic. It is also a restricted substance that is used recreationally for its analgesic, dissociative, and hallucinogenic properties. Ketamine has been utilized to treat depression in recent years, with great effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms and assisting patients in overcoming their disease. The precise mechanisms of action are unknown, however, ketamine is considered to function in the brain by increasing the activity of neurons, resulting in neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the capacity of the brain to build and restructure synaptic connections, which is especially useful for introducing new behavioral and thinking patterns.

Ketamine is also used to treat pain as an anesthetic; it has been demonstrated to be helpful for both short-term and long-term pain. More applications for ketamine are being identified as our understanding of its effects on the brain develops. Few drugs have as much promise as ketamine, which is why the medical sector must continue to enhance its knowledge of ketamine’s potential.

Ketamine is an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor and a stimulator of the -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor. AMPA stimulation encourages the development of new receptors and synapses by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Ketamine is hypothesized to alleviate depression symptoms by preventing glutamate from binding to these receptors. Ketamine functions in the following ways:
– Allowing or fostering vigorous neuronal activity
 
– Increased neural activity allows the brain to operate more properly and also generates neuroplasticity, making it easier to overcome detrimental cyclical habits. This enables:
 
– Reducing recurrent negative thoughts in depressed patients
Aversion treatment may aid OCD sufferers.
 
– Substance addiction sufferers should create healthy mental patterns and habits to help them resist addictive behaviors.
 
– Pain patients will be able to break away from pain feedback loops (e.g. pain causes inactivity, inactivity causes more pain)

We offer Spravato (esKetamine) which is a nasal spray Ketamine. Spravato is FDA-approved for treatment and is advantageous for a number of reasons; including the fact that it is the most extensively investigated type of ketamine treatment administration and has also been shown to be the most effective in treating depressive disorders.

Ketamine is available as a nasal spray at Psychiatry Unplugged. This is advantageous for a number of reasons; including the fact that it is the most extensively investigated type of ketamine treatment administration and has also been shown to be the most effective in treating depressive disorders. The spray is delivered nasally as a mist, which the patient inhales. Depending on individual metabolism, this has a very rapid onset and can induce results within minutes (and other factors).

Patients interested in ketamine therapy will start with a consultation with our REMS certified physician, Dr. Soroya Bacchus. From there, Dr. Bacchus and her staff begin the procedure in the enrollment process. This process includes, enrolling the patient into the REMS program, verifying insurance benefits, and prescribing the medication for delivery. Once the medication has been delivered the patient will be scheduled to begin treatment. Treatment starts with a 2 hour in office session twice a week. The spray is delivered nasally as a mist, which the patient inhales. Depending on individual metabolism, this has a very rapid onset and can induce results within minutes.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. These disorders include mood disorders, thought disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders.

As medical doctors, psychiatrists order laboratory tests, prescribe medications, take part in talk therapy, and perform in-depth discussions with patients to develop treatment plans to achieve total health and functioning mentally, physically, and socially. Visit the American Psychiatric Association for more information on what a psychiatrist is and does. Call us to learn more about how we can help you!

Yes, insurance covers ketamine therapy, but just the nasal spray; other kinds of ketamine therapy are not covered. Call our office now to learn more about which insurance policies are accepted at Psychiatry Unplugged.

If you have a mental health condition that has not responded well to other treatments, come to Psychiatry Unplugged to find out if ketamine is right for you. Call us today or book an appointment with our ketamine treatment specialist, or visit our clinic conveniently located in Glendale CA, and Los Angeles CA. We serve patients from Los Angeles CA, Glendale CA, Beverly Hills CA, Santa Monica CA, Hollywood CA, Burbank CA, and Pasadena CA.