Ketamine Infusion Therapy: Side Effects, Contraindications, and Dosing Protocols
At Modern Mindwork, we are committed to providing safe and effective ketamine infusion therapy under the supervision of our nurse-anesthesiology team.
Ketamine is a medication primarily used for starting and maintaining anesthesia. It has a unique mechanism of action that also makes it effective in treating various chronic pain syndromes, mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD), and certain addiction challenges.
While ketamine therapy is generally well-tolerated, it’s important to be informed about the potential side effects, necessary precautions, and our dosing protocols to ensure you are fully prepared for your treatment.
Whether you choose ketamine infusion therapy or ketamine-assisted therapy, at Modern Mindwork, we guide and support you through these experiences, ensuring safety and comfort.
Ketamine: A Dissociative Psychedelic
Ketamine elicits a sense of “disconnectedness.” It’s a dissociative psychedelic, and it’s normal to feel that you’re not quite attached to your body, your own mental processes, and your “normal self.” While not a side effect, it’s important for people considering this treatment to be aware that this is a typical response to ketamine and to many psychedelic medications.
This altered state of consciousness shows that ketamine is starting to forge new neural pathways. It’s important to maintain an inward focus and to flow with the experience. Where there may have been an unwillingness to explore and understand challenging emotions, past experiences, and mental states before, ketamine opens the doors to a heightened awareness of these experiences without fear or resistance. Changes in perception form part of the journey to healing.
It is important to remember that all these reactions are normal and reactions can change on different days of the treatment. You are unique and you will be processing your own thoughts and emotions in a way that is unique to you.
We are there to provide support, guidance, and ensure that you feel safe and supported throughout your treatment - you are not alone.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy at a Nurse Anesthesiologist-Directed Practice
As ketamine is a prescribed medication, non-anesthesia providers must follow standardized dosing protocols. As a Nurse Anesthesiologist-directed practice, Modern Mindwork is not constrained by basic dosing and can safely adapt dosing to cater to your individual needs. You may find that your dosing requirements can vary day to day and dosing needs can also vary from person to person. We can tailor each infusion safely and in a closely-monitored environment.
Modern Mindwork is staffed with anesthesia providers. This means that we have all the necessary equipment to manage any level of infusion, and we understand all the pharmacological and physiological issues that can occur during treatment and with multiple medications.
Sometimes, patients have had little success with ketamine due to the protocols from non-anesthesia providers. If you feel that you would benefit from an individualized regime, we’ll take the time to listen, discuss your case, and advise you.
Pre-Treatment Considerations
To ensure your safety, a comprehensive screening process and intake procedure is essential. We encourage you to learn more about what to expect before, during, and after your therapy and to ask questions that concern you at any time during your treatment.
Please inform your care team about:
- All medical conditions, including psychiatric history
- Current medications and supplements
- Any history of substance abuse or dependence
- Expectations and concerns about the treatment
Contraindications for Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy is not suitable for everyone. It is contraindicated in patients with:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Recent history of heart attack, unstable heart disease, or severe respiratory conditions
- Severe respiratory disease
- History of significant mental health disorders such as psychosis (not related to substance use)
- Known allergy to ketamine
- Elevated intracranial or intraocular pressure
- Diagnosed seizure disorders
- Pregnancy
Understanding Side Effects
Ketamine is generally well-tolerated, but like all medications, it can cause side effects. The intensity and occurrence can vary based on individual response and dosing. Humans are infinitely varied and their responses to ketamine can be equally broad. You may experience some of these responses:
- Feelings of euphoria, mild intoxication, dream-like sensations, and deep relaxation
- Mild hallucinations (We can control these with sedatives.)
- Heightened senses including blurring of vision, light and sound sensitivity, changes in vision and color perception
- Headache, nausea, or elevated blood pressure (We can administer medication if this occurs and we are able to alter the IV infusion at any time during treatment.)
- Sitting quietly and experiencing a rosy glow
- Laughter or sobbing
- Changes in how you perceive your own bodily sensations
- Changes in how you perceive your memories and feelings
- Changes in how you perceive yourself, your identity, and a detachment from your sense of self-identity
- A sense of peace and insight into your own world and a deep connection with the wider world
These effects are typically mild, normal, and subside a few hours after treatment. In rare instances, patients might experience anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and insomnia. At Modern Mindwork, we are equipped to manage these side effects effectively, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the therapy session and during your course of treatment.
It is also important to be mindful of rare but serious side effects such as respiratory depression, allergic reactions, and increased intraocular pressure.
Dosing Protocols
At Modern Mindwork, our clinic employs an initial standardized protocol that is tailored to each patient’s specific needs, optimizing both safety and efficacy. As a Nurse-anesthesiology-led practice with deep expertise in anesthesia and pharmacology, we can safely adapt dosing based on daily variations in patient needs and other medications being taken. This flexibility ensures that our ketamine therapy is personalized, maximizing benefits and minimizing risks.
During ketamine infusions, patients are placed in a comfortable setting and are under continuous observation by our skilled nursing staff. Continuous monitoring of vital signs and psychological status is a standard practice during each infusion to ensure safety.
Standard Dosing Protocol
Initial Dose: The treatment typically begins with a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight, administered over 40-60 minutes. This dosage may be adjusted depending on the patient’s response and tolerability.
Maintenance Doses: Based on the initial response, subsequent sessions may involve adjusted dosages to fine-tune the therapeutic effects.
Dosing Regimens for Chronic Pain
Initial Treatments: For chronic pain management, the initial ketamine treatments are given at a lower dose and shorter duration. These sessions follow standardized protocols to establish a baseline response and allow careful monitoring.
Long-Term Management: Subsequent doses are tailored to optimize long-term pain relief. The treatment frequency and dosage depend on the specific nature of your chronic pain condition. The third dose typically involves a longer duration, enhancing the ketamine’s efficacy in blocking neurotransmitters that transmit pain signals.
Ketamine is a non-addictive, non-opioid psychedelic medication effectively used in low doses for chronic pain management. It produces no long-term side effects when administered by medical professionals. Our nurse anesthetists are adept at providing individualized treatment and support, ensuring any side effects that may arise during therapy are promptly managed.
Through our personalized approach, we aim to provide long-term pain relief, facilitated by ketamine’s unique action on neurotransmitters responsible for pain signaling. Each patient’s dosing needs are reassessed continuously to ensure optimal outcomes.
Post-infusion, patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours. It's essential to have someone accompany you home after the treatment.
Learn more about what to expect before, during, and after your treatment.
Follow-Up and Support
At Modern Mindwork, we ensure a supportive, private, and highly personalized treatment experience where your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Our care team will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. We are committed to supporting you throughout your journey with ketamine therapy.
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Contact Us Today
At Modern Mindwork, we understand that considering ketamine therapy can feel daunting. We offer individualized, safe and effective ketamine therapy. We provide personalized care and support, empowering you to regain control over your life and achieve lasting well-being through the transformative benefits of ketamine infusion therapy.
Take the first step towards healing today.