Ketamine is a relatively new therapy that helps treat various mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Ketamine was originally developed for use as a veterinary anesthetic in the 1950s and approved for use in humans in 1970. Researchers also found that it worked similarly to antidepressants in the 1970s. Still, it was not until the late 1990s and early 2000s that ketamine began to be seen as a viable treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders, and took until 2019 to be approved by the FDA as a nasal spray for treating treatment-resistant depression.
 
While there are several ways that ketamine therapy can be administered, ketamine nasal sprays have proven to be the most effective and safe way for your body to absorb the medication. As a spray, the medication is delivered to highly absorbent membranes in your nose. As the medication gets quickly absorbed into your bloodstream, instead of going through the digestive system beforehand and being broken down, it begins to work on the neuroreceptors in your brain almost immediately. This way, your body can make more efficient use of the medication.

Several studies have shown promising results for the use of ketamine therapy in treating addiction and substance use disorders. The research shows that ketamine can help with addiction and substance use disorders by changing how your brain manages cravings and regulating certain behavioral reactions. It may also increase your motivation to stop using a substance.
 
Furthermore, there is evidence that ketamine can increase the effectiveness of behavioral therapy, which is a key part of addiction treatment. In this way, ketamine therapy for addiction is most effective when it is used alongside psychotherapy.

Ketamine therapies are safe when administered under the close supervision of an experienced medical professional. Experienced ketamine providers administer controlled doses of ketamine to patients at safely determined intervals. When ketamine is provided under the guidance of an experienced medical professional, risks are minimal and adverse effects are rare. The doses are low and spread out to avoid an addictive high.
 
As ketamine is also used for recreational purposes, often referred to as “Special K,” it can be highly addictive and lead to other dangerous side effects when used without medical guidance.

Some of the side effects of using ketamine recreationally in large amounts include loss of consciousness, high blood pressure, and severely slowed breathing. Long-term and unregulated use of ketamine can also cause ulcers, bladder pain, kidney problems, stomach pain, depression, and memory issues. With these effects in mind, it’s imperative to only use ketamine under the guidance of an experienced medical professional.

Ketamine therapy sessions last approximately 45 minutes to one hour. During this time, medical professionals will closely monitor you to make sure adverse effects do not occur and the doctors are able to respond quickly if any do occur.
 
A nurse or other medical professional will insert a spray bottle into your nose that will transmit the ketamine into your blood stream through small blood vessels in your nose.You’ll be seated in a comfortable recliner and have access to blankets, pillows, dimmed lights, soothing music, and other amenities.
 
As the ketamine enters your bloodstream, you will likely feel heightened sensations and some numbness. Your heart rate will subtly speed up and your blood pressure will decrease, resulting in a floaty, light, or dreamlike state. These effects are normal and will not cause any long-term complications. Since you’ll be in a mildly altered state, you’ll need to arrange for a ride home after your treatment session.
 
If you’d like more information on our ketamine therapy services and how they can help you, we’d love to hear from you at Psychiatry Unplugged! Reach out to us for more information or schedule a consultation with one of our addiction specialists through our website or by calling us today. We are located at 6801 Park Terrace Suite 530B, Los Angeles, CA 90045. We serve patients from Los Angeles CA, Beverly Hills CA, Santa Monica CA, Encino CA, and Pacific Palisades CA.