Ketamine Therapy

Introduction

While ketamine emerged as the first psychedelic to enjoy legal use in a therapeutic setting, the road to its acceptance in this capacity was long, and took unexpected turns.

Initially used as an anesthetic, first for animals, and then soldiers during the Vietnam War, ketamine became a popular party drug during the rave scenes of the late 1980s and early 1990s. By the end of the century, so-called “Special K” had gained notoriety due to its popularity in the club and rave scene, where some would experience something known as a “k-hole.” 

This event, where the body essentially shuts down and the individual experiences a powerful, and sometimes frightening, psychedelic event, led to the demonization of ketamine as a party drug. In truth, ketamine abuse in some of these settings and circumstances was both real and damaging. However, as it turned out, some those ravers might have inadvertently been deriving therapeutic benefits the whole time. In the 2000s, a new group became hip to ketamine: researchers — specifically those in the field of psychiatry.

Within a few years, researchers established that ketamine might significantly impact treatment-resistant depression and a range of other mental health conditions (more on that below). Fast-tracked by the FDA as a “Breakthrough” therapy tool (meaning the development of a drug is expedited as it may demonstrate an improvement of clinical symptoms over other available therapies), ketamine has enjoyed relatively quick progress through the research process. Today it can be prescribed for both in-clinic and at-home therapy. 

While some theorize that the psychological benefits of ketamine are derived from its ability to increase neuroplasticity in the brain (meaning that it affects the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself), others assert that patients reap rewards from the ketamine experience itself. As one explained, “I’m not reformed by neuroplasticity; I’m reformed by having had a break from the obsessions of my mind.” Of course, these two things may be interrelated.⁽¹⁾

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What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is not a classic psychedelic, as it doesn’t create psychedelic effects through action on the brain’s 5-HT2A (a type of serotonin) receptors, which drugs like psilocybin and LSD do. Ketamine’s effects may be partially due to its action on the neurotransmitter glutamate, specifically the NMDA receptors.^{(2, 3, 4)}

Additionally, ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. In the context of its use as a mental health treatment, that means it can create detachment from your sense of self, physical body, and environment. In high enough doses, it acts as a general anesthetic. An increasing body of evidence suggests it can be effective in supporting the treatment of a variety of ailments of the mind.^{(5, 6, 7)}

Indeed, after a short ketamine treatment (30 minutes to two hours), patients have reported feeling remarkable relief from emotional and/or psychological distress. For some, this is experienced as a fresh perspective on their life circumstances.

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The Ketamine Experience

As with any other medication, the effects of ketamine vary depending on many factors, including dosage. Ketamine clinics use lower, sub-anesthetic doses (meaning doses too low to cause you to fall unconscious), which is where the effects get interesting. At this dosage, you may experience visions with your eyes closed, disconnection from your body (resulting in an out-of-body experience), ego loss (the dissolution of your sense of self), and feelings of bliss and joy.⁽⁸⁾

In isolated cases, you may experience an event commonly known as a k-hole, as mentioned. This is where you become temporarily unable to interact with your environment and may lose control of certain motor functions, like walking and speech. These events are relatively rare in a clinical setting, where trained professionals are on hand to monitor your dosage. However, they are more common among recreational ketamine users.^{(9, 10)}

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Research on Ketamine’s Effects on Mental Health

Several high-quality clinical trials indicate that ketamine is effective at alleviating the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment-resistant depression (TRD), anxiety, bipolar depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).^{(11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)}

(A note on the term ‘treatment-resistant’: this is typically defined as an inadequate response to at least two courses of conventional antidepressant treatments, including medication.)⁽¹⁸⁾

It is theorized that ketamine alleviates the mental health conditions listed above in a variety of ways. One study has shown that ketamine may support rapid neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) and neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to create new connections). Crucially, these changes occur in brain regions affected by depression, including the hippocampus.^{(19. 20, 21, 22)}

Researchers have also discovered that ketamine modulates the transmission of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the prefrontal cortex. This is an area of the brain associated with attention, impulse control, and managing emotional reactions.⁽²³⁾

It is believed that altering activity in the prefrontal cortex in this way allows this brain region to increase its connectivity with other regions, such as the amygdala (the fear center of the brain), which is one of the areas that contribute to depression in some cases. Individuals with depression also show reduced glutamate transmission in key prefrontal cortex regions. It is theorized that modulating glutamate in the brain supports the relief of depressive symptoms.^{(24, 25, 26)}

As mentioned, ketamine also has dissociative effects, which may help patients disconnect from painful thoughts and feelings, creating a greater sense of objectivity. For many people, challenging emotions can feel all-consuming. Ketamine may relieve this aspect of depression by creating some distance between the person and their emotions or past trauma. However, further research into the dissociative effects of ketamine is needed to fully explore its potential antidepressant effects.⁽²⁷⁾

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The Legal Status of Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine is legal as an off-label treatment (used to treat a condition other than its original/FDA-approved application). Conditions that ketamine clinics can legally treat include depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, pain, and substance use disorder (colloquially referred to as addiction or substance abuse).⁽²⁸⁾

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved esketamine (a type of ketamine that comes in the form of a nasal spray, sold under the brand name Spravato) for treating treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder featuring suicidal thoughts or behavior. FDA approval of esketamine means it may be covered by some insurance carriers, including Medicare and Medicaid. However, ketamine (also referred to as racemic ketamine) may not be covered by insurance providers.⁽²⁹⁾

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Where Can You Access Ketamine Treatments?

According to Medscape, 517 ketamine clinics are operating in the United States today. Another option is at-home ketamine treatment, where the patient takes a sublingual lozenge or tablet of ketamine in the comfort of their home. This tablet is placed under the tongue and dissolves. At-home ketamine treatment providers often pair the medication with online counseling services (also referred to as ketamine telehealth). One study has found this option to be a relatively safe and effective treatment for anxiety and depression.^{(30, 31)}

There are some important differences between ketamine clinics and at-home ketamine providers:

Access to ketamine-assisted therapy is easier than ever. Additionally, there are hundreds of clinical trials involving ketamine for mental health underway — and it will likely gain FDA approval for various mental health conditions within the next few years, increasing access and lowering costs. 

Globally, ketamine is one of the most commonly used medications. It has also been designated as an essential medication by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is included on the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines. However, it is considered a controlled substance in many countries, and is often included in categories with other common medications such as SSRIs.

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The Risks and Side Effects of Ketamine

As mentioned, ketamine has been used for decades as an anesthetic and is generally well-tolerated. The risks of using ketamine are higher for recreational purposes. When you’re taking ketamine recreationally or to self-medicate, you could have an increased risk of addiction or serious side effects. Abusing it can also lead to bladder damage (known as ketamine bladder syndrome) and other adverse effects.^{(32, 33, 34)}

These risks are much lower in a clinical setting where the dose and number of sessions are controlled. If you join a ketamine therapy program at a clinic, medical professionals will do their utmost to ensure that you don’t experience unpleasant side effects. These steps include proper mental and physical health screenings, adequate preparation, psychological support, and aftercare. However, side effects are still possible — drowsiness, double vision, confusion, nausea, and dizziness are the most common. Ketamine may also cause complications for individuals with certain heart conditions and where an increase in blood pressure would pose a risk, as well as individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding.^{(35, 36)}

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The Complex Impact of Ketamine on Consciousness:
From Spirituality to Escapism

While psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, and ayahuasca are frequently associated with the ability to expand consciousness and impart a spiritual experience, anecdotal reports suggest that ketamine’s impact on consciousness and/or spirituality is more complex. While some users report that ketamine delivers a mystical, awareness-raising experience, others argue that its impact is quite the opposite, affording one an escape.

As an example of the former, in an interesting experiment conducted in the ex-Soviet Union, researchers concluded that ketamine patients experienced a “death-rebirth” cycle that provided mystical insights, resulting in the desire to create art and a new interest in reading spiritual texts. On the other hand, ketamine users in Hong Kong — where ketamine has been an extremely popular recreational drug for many years — report that it has the opposite effect, allowing them to “tune out” of stressful circumstances and block out reality.^{(37, 38)}

This suggests that the effect ketamine has on one’s consciousness, or spiritual awareness, may have a great deal to do with individual and social factors. Regardless of individual experiences, ketamine is not typically associated with spiritual expansion or religious ceremonial purposes the way other classical psychedelics often are. 

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Preparing for Your Ketamine Trip

Unlike most other psychedelics, the ketamine experience is comparatively short. Typically the “trip” lasts about an hour, and the patient will feel more or less back to baseline within 1.5-2 hours. As with any psychedelic drug – classical or not – ketamine should always be approached with respect and care. You should keep your set (state of mind and intentions) and setting (where you will be taking ketamine) front and center when preparing for your journey. Make sure you have a safe, comfortable environment, either at home or at a ketamine clinic. You should also set clear, actionable intentions for your experience. What do you intend to take away from your journey? What are your goals and motivations? These are all important considerations to think about before taking ketamine. 

As noted, unlike other psychedelics, ketamine is a legal, FDA-approved drug. This means that ketamine-assisted therapy can be found at professionally managed, often spa-like clinics nationwide. If you plan on taking ketamine at a clinic vs. at home, you should know a few things. Reputable ketamine clinics are run by trained staff that are on hand to ensure your experience goes smoothly. However, some clinics may have services that others do not, such as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, pre or post-care integration counseling, and, in some cases, long-term follow-up care programs. 

This, of course, all comes at a price. Ketamine clinics may charge anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on what services they offer. You should spend some time researching local ketamine-assisted therapy providers and learning what this sort of treatment may cost you. You can also learn more about ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy by listening to our curated psychedelic podcasts.

There are also a few other things ketamine patients are advised to do pre-experience:

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What to Know During Your Ketamine Journey

While every individual’s experience will be somewhat different in terms of content, the progression of the experience itself can be rather uniform.

Remember that the first several steps below apply only if you’re ingesting ketamine tablets at home. If you take it intravenously in a clinic, your provider will take care of the induction.

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Integrating Your Ketamine Journey

From there, it’s time for your first integration session, during which you’ll talk with your guide about your experience. Typically your guide or therapist will schedule a follow-up integration session a few days to a week after your experience. Some services provide “integration circles,” which are essentially group integration sessions led by a guide. 

Integration is the essential process of examining how the psychedelic experience can be applied to your everyday life. It involves analyzing the content of your experience, including thoughts, memories, feelings, symbols, or other images that have come to the surface throughout your ketamine journey. From there, you use discussions and other methods to determine how these occurrences relate to your day-to-day existence.

There are many integration techniques, including:

The list goes on. Less important than your chosen method of integration is that you do something to integrate the experience, which reinforces the wisdom gleaned from the psychedelic journey. This helps deepen the insights from your ketamine experience, and support growth.