Helpful Answers to Some Common Questions
Find quick and clear responses to frequently asked questions about our services and treatments.
About Ketamine
Eligibility
Experience
Safety
Our Programs
Appointments
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is an anesthetic developed in the early 1960s, and then FDA approved in 1970.
It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines because of its safety and efficacy. Ketamine has a longstanding, safe track record, and is frequently used in pediatric surgery. More recently, ketamine has been discovered as a safe and effective treatment for depression. Randomized controlled trials have shown rapid improvement in depressive symptoms that exceeds the efficacy of antidepressant drugs and other treatments for depression.
Why is ketamine being called a breakthrough treatment for depression?
Even for patients with depression who have not responded to any other treatments – known as treatment-resistant patients – research has demonstrated that over 70-80% experience rapid relief after low-dose ketamine infusions. These are often the most difficult to treat patients who have not seen improvement for years, sometimes decades. The fact that ketamine works rapidly on a patient group that has not responded to any other medications has profoundly impacted depression research, and altered the scientific understanding of the very nature of depression.
Although there is substantial academic research showing promising results, the results for each patient will vary and are difficult to predict
Is there academic research to support this treatment?
For over 20 years, research demonstrating ketamine as a breakthrough depression treatment has been published in top academic journals from academic institutions including Yale, the National Institute of Mental Health, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Mt. Sinai Medical School, Oxford University, UC San Diego, Baylor University, the VA and many more around the world.
Ketamine’s effectiveness for depression has been substantiated repeatedly through the most rigorous standards of scientific research comprised of controlled, double-blind, peer-reviewed studies at the most prestigious academic institutions.
How quickly does it work, and how long will it last?
This will vary greatly within patients. But the speed with which it takes effect is one of the most exciting and promising aspects of ketamine infusion therapy. Most patients will experience improvement within hours of the first infusion – this is contrasted with traditional antidepressants which take several weeks before they can begin to work.
While most patients improve immediately after the first infusion, other patients may experience relief days after the first or second infusion. Other patients will experience substantial relief after the 4th through 6th infusion.
After patients go through multiple infusions as prescribed by the Halcyon medical staff, the length of time the patient will continue to experience improvement will vary but can be several weeks to several months.
How long is the treatment and how does the dosage compare to ketamine for anesthesia?
Ketamine will be administered over approximately 40-45 minutes. The amount of ketamine is roughly 10% of the does used in anesthesia; you will be fully conscious during the infusion. Most patients will experience a mild dissociative effect
Why does the treatment use the IV route?
Virtually all of the academic research on ketamine for depression has used the intravenous route. This is because the precision of the dose appears to be integral to the antidepressant effect. The IV route ensures the ketamine goes directly into the bloodstream at a carefully controlled rate and straight to your brain without first being metabolized by the body.
The IV drip rate will be set very precisely and fine-tuned throughout the procedure so that the optimal rate is maintained. The initial dose is based on your weight, and your Halcyon doctor may adjust it in later infusions to optimize results.
How does it work?
Ketamine has a fundamentally different mechanism of action from SSRIs and other traditional antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. In short, when ketamine is administered precisely with IV administration, it triggers a cascading sequence of events in the brain, which ultimately results in the regrowth of synaptic connections between neurons.
There is evidence suggesting that prolonged exposure to stress or depression causes damage to the synaptic connections, but ketamine can rapidly repair this damage. This is an oversimplification of an intricate topic and there is still substantial uncertainty about precisely what underlies the causes of depression.
How many infusions will I need?
The standard protocol for most patients is 6 infusions over the first 3 weeks..
These initial infusions over the first 3 weeks of treatment are designed to maximize treatment results and prolong the beneficial effects.
Some patients do not need any further infusions after the initial protocol, however most will need maintenance infusions at periodic intervals to extend the positive effects. How often a patient will need a maintenance infusion will vary from one patient to another.
About Ketamine
Eligibility
Experience
Safety
Our Programs
Appointments
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is an anesthetic developed in the early 1960s, and then FDA approved in 1970.
It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines because of its safety and efficacy. Ketamine has a longstanding, safe track record, and is frequently used in pediatric surgery. More recently, ketamine has been discovered as a safe and effective treatment for depression. Randomized controlled trials have shown rapid improvement in depressive symptoms that exceeds the efficacy of antidepressant drugs and other treatments for depression.
Why is ketamine being called a breakthrough treatment for depression?
Even for patients with depression who have not responded to any other treatments – known as treatment-resistant patients – research has demonstrated that over 70-80% experience rapid relief after low-dose ketamine infusions. These are often the most difficult to treat patients who have not seen improvement for years, sometimes decades. The fact that ketamine works rapidly on a patient group that has not responded to any other medications has profoundly impacted depression research, and altered the scientific understanding of the very nature of depression.
Although there is substantial academic research showing promising results, the results for each patient will vary and are difficult to predict
Is there academic research to support this treatment?
For over 20 years, research demonstrating ketamine as a breakthrough depression treatment has been published in top academic journals from academic institutions including Yale, the National Institute of Mental Health, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Mt. Sinai Medical School, Oxford University, UC San Diego, Baylor University, the VA and many more around the world.
Ketamine’s effectiveness for depression has been substantiated repeatedly through the most rigorous standards of scientific research comprised of controlled, double-blind, peer-reviewed studies at the most prestigious academic institutions.
How quickly does it work, and how long will it last?
This will vary greatly within patients. But the speed with which it takes effect is one of the most exciting and promising aspects of ketamine infusion therapy. Most patients will experience improvement within hours of the first infusion – this is contrasted with traditional antidepressants which take several weeks before they can begin to work.
While most patients improve immediately after the first infusion, other patients may experience relief days after the first or second infusion. Other patients will experience substantial relief after the 4th through 6th infusion.
After patients go through multiple infusions as prescribed by the Halcyon medical staff, the length of time the patient will continue to experience improvement will vary but can be several weeks to several months.
How long is the treatment and how does the dosage compare to ketamine for anesthesia?
Ketamine will be administered over approximately 40-45 minutes. The amount of ketamine is roughly 10% of the does used in anesthesia; you will be fully conscious during the infusion. Most patients will experience a mild dissociative effect
Why does the treatment use the IV route?
Virtually all of the academic research on ketamine for depression has used the intravenous route. This is because the precision of the dose appears to be integral to the antidepressant effect. The IV route ensures the ketamine goes directly into the bloodstream at a carefully controlled rate and straight to your brain without first being metabolized by the body.
The IV drip rate will be set very precisely and fine-tuned throughout the procedure so that the optimal rate is maintained. The initial dose is based on your weight, and your Halcyon doctor may adjust it in later infusions to optimize results.
How does it work?
Ketamine has a fundamentally different mechanism of action from SSRIs and other traditional antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. In short, when ketamine is administered precisely with IV administration, it triggers a cascading sequence of events in the brain, which ultimately results in the regrowth of synaptic connections between neurons.
There is evidence suggesting that prolonged exposure to stress or depression causes damage to the synaptic connections, but ketamine can rapidly repair this damage. This is an oversimplification of an intricate topic and there is still substantial uncertainty about precisely what underlies the causes of depression.
How many infusions will I need?
The standard protocol for most patients is 6 infusions over the first 3 weeks..
These initial infusions over the first 3 weeks of treatment are designed to maximize treatment results and prolong the beneficial effects.
Some patients do not need any further infusions after the initial protocol, however most will need maintenance infusions at periodic intervals to extend the positive effects. How often a patient will need a maintenance infusion will vary from one patient to another.
Disclaimers
Financing Disclaimer: We offer two financing options for the Uplift Momentum Protocol™ (medical procedure): $325/month for 12 months, with a total cost of $3,900, no down payment, 0% APR, or $1,000 down payment and $237/month for 12 months, with a total cost of $3,844, 0% APR. Approval for both plans is based on internal criteria, including bank account history and a soft credit pull. Payments may be auto-withdrawn monthly. Both plans are subject to a $25 late fee for missed payments and other terms. Cancellation within 3 days of agreement is allowed. Governed by California law and AAA arbitration rules
Individuals showcased on KetamineUplift.com are actors, the content is not reflective of their thoughts, views, or perspectives.
Questions?
(310) 280-4440
care@ketamineuplift.com
4640 Admiralty Way
Suite 718A
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
© 2024 Ketamine Uplift | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
Disclaimers
Financing Disclaimer: We offer two financing options for the Uplift Momentum Protocol™ (medical procedure): $325/month for 12 months, with a total cost of $3,900, no down payment, 0% APR, or $1,000 down payment and $237/month for 12 months, with a total cost of $3,844, 0% APR. Approval for both plans is based on internal criteria, including bank account history and a soft credit pull. Payments may be auto-withdrawn monthly. Both plans are subject to a $25 late fee for missed payments and other terms. Cancellation within 3 days of agreement is allowed. Governed by California law and AAA arbitration rules
Individuals showcased on KetamineUplift.com are actors, the content is not reflective of their thoughts, views, or perspectives.
Questions?
(310) 280-4440
care@ketamineuplift.com
4640 Admiralty Way
Suite 718A
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
© 2024 Ketamine Uplift | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy