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Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that many who are curious about ketamine therapy have questions about the infusion process, the KWC clinical program, cost of treatment, and what kind of results to expect. Our Ketamine FAQ addresses the most common questions we receive from prospective and current patients.

Still have questions? Our staff is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. to answer any of your questions directly. You can reach us at 855-KET-WELL (855-538-9355) or info@ketaminewellnesscenters.com.

Ketamine FAQ

Ketamine FAQ

What is Ketamine Therapy?

First developed in 1962, ketamine is a widely-used medication on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. While ketamine is most commonly used as a surgical anesthetic, it has several off-label uses that are allowed when deemed medically appropriate by an attending physician. It is estimated that almost 25% of all prescription medications sold in the United States are prescribed “off label.”

Ketamine has an excellent safety record and several applications in medicine: since 1970, it has been a successful anesthetic used in hospitals, dentist offices, and veterinary practices. In the past 10 years, Ketamine has also been identified as having beneficial effects on patients with depression, suicidal ideation, and certain neuropathic pain syndromes.

With the approval of a prescribing physician, ketamine can be used off-label to treat both physical and psychological struggles.

Some of the conditions most commonly treated by ketamine include:

Chronic Pain: Fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), pain associated with cancer, and general neuropathic pain.

Mental Health: Depression, anxiety, suicidality, and PTSD.

Ketamine Wellness Centers also offers Spravato®, a nasal spray version of ketamine. Spravato is specifically approved by the FDA to be used alongside an oral antidepressant by patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

Research suggests that ketamine therapy can be both more effective and less risky than conventional pharmaceuticals (like opioids and SSRIs). Ketamine’s high success rate and low risk of side effects makes it a popular choice for patients seeking relief from depression and chronic pain.

Researchers are still investigating why ketamine works so well for so many conditions. We know that ketamine has been shown to stimulate the growth of neurons and synapses in the brain, which is believed to have an antidepressant affect. Many scientists studying ketamine are focusing on the neurotransmitter glutamate, which plays a key role in neural activation. Ketamine has also been found to be a strong anti-inflammatory, a property that is currently being studied for its positive effects on treating depression and chronic pain.

Our ketamine infusion treatments are 100% legal, safe, and bound to strict clinical protocols and oversight. KWC clinics follow all regulations that are essential for providing quality care, including holding appropriate licensure, hiring properly certified staff, and following recommended safety guidelines.

Ketamine is now widely used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, and chronic pain such as CRPS and migraine headaches. A simple Google search will turn up all kinds of clinics to choose from but not all ketamine clinics are equal. How can you tell which clinic is right for you? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Ketamine Clinic

Some medications and recreational drugs can interact with or reduce the effectiveness of ketamine. Common drugs that may impact ketamine therapy include alcohol, benzodiazepines, and certain medications used for treating epilepsy.

Make sure to inform your care team of all drugs and medications you use. We will work with your prescribing physician to coordinate your care and ensure that you can safely undergo treatment.

Ketamine infusion treatments are typically well tolerated, and we are not aware of any significant adverse reactions at the low dose used for this treatment. The dose used for therapeutic infusions is significantly lower than doses used in medical procedures such as surgery.

Use of ketamine by people with conditions such as unstable heart disease risks aggravating these conditions. It is important that you fill out the medical questionnaire fully and truthfully, so we can properly evaluate whether ketamine therapy is a medically appropriate component of your treatment plan.

The Patient Experience

In general, our patients report that ketamine treatments make them feel relaxed, content, or pleasantly “buzzed.” Our guide to ketamine infusion can give you an idea of what to expect during your first treatment session.

If you have a medical diagnosis for a pain or mental health condition, you may be eligible to receive ketamine therapy.

The first step to receiving treatment at Ketamine Wellness Centers is completing a Patient Intake Form. Next, we ask you to review and sign our Ketamine Information Package. Mental health patients will also need to complete a depression index to assess your symptoms.

After completing the steps outlined above,  our team will reach out to you to conduct a screening and ensure you are eligible for treatment. For more information, see How to Get Started.

You will be awake for the duration of your infusion. The dosage used for ketamine infusion therapy is not high enough to cause you to fall asleep, but you may feel a bit drowsy during and shortly after the treatment.

Many patients feel better during the treatment itself, while others notice a marked improvement in mood or pain levels within a day of treatment. We recommend opting for occasional, as-needed maintenance treatments in order to sustain these benefits.

Several patients of Ketamine Wellness Centers have shared testimonials and guest posts about their treatment timeline and overall experiences with ketamine therapy.

Most side effects experienced as a result of ketamine infusions will go away within an hour of treatment. The most commonly reported side effects include mild nausea, drowsiness, and a temporary increase in blood pressure. Our clinical staff will closely monitor your blood pressure and heart rate throughout the course of the infusion. Less common side effects include vivid dreams, mood swings, or agitation.

If you do experience side effects during your infusion, they can quickly be controlled by adjusting the dosage of ketamine or administering additional medication.

The frequency and duration of ketamine treatment is individual to each patient. Typically, patients receive 4-6 infusions over the course of 1-2 weeks. For chronic conditions, our process involves extending the period of remission by slowly stretching out the time between infusions, while using additional wellness techniques as an adjunct.

After your initial round of infusions, it is recommended that you receive occasional “maintenance treatments” to sustain the benefits of ketamine therapy. Maintenance therapy can be completed on an as-needed basis: some patients come once a month, while others prefer to receive infusions once or twice each year.

Learn more about our Mental Health Clinical Protocol

Learn more about our Chronic Pain Clinical Protocol

To reduce side effects and maximize treatment benefits, you will need to take a break from food and fluids a few hours before your infusion. Your care team will give you all the information you need about preparing for your first ketamine session.

As with any medication, the benefits of ketamine will eventually wear off after it has left your system. However, unlike medicine that must be taken every day, the benefits of ketamine can be sustained by undergoing an additional treatment session just every few months. You can think of ketamine as an antidepressant or pain medication that, due to its efficacy, simply isn’t needed as often as other treatments.

Yes. Ketamine Wellness Centers offers Spravato® nasal spray (esketamine) at select clinics

We do not offer Intramuscular Ketamine Therapy at this time. 

At this time, Ketamine Wellness Centers does not have a dedicated therapy program. However, we do recommend receiving mental health support alongside ketamine infusions to maximize the impact of your treatment.

We currently offer support including Facilitated Treatment Support from our Health and Wellness Coordinator, Family Support & Education virtual meetups, and a directory of ketamine-friendly mental health professionals.

Cost & Insurance

As a safety measure, all KWC patients must undergo medical and psychological screening prior to receiving ketamine therapy. The screening cost is $125 and includes a psychological assessment, a psychological interview with a counselor, and a medical history review with one of our clinicians.

Without insurance coverage, the cost of each individual depression treatment is $449. The cost of each individual pain treatment is $899. Learn more about cost, insurance, and financing.

Depending on your eligibility and individual insurance plan, your ketamine infusions may be eligible for partial or complete reimbursement. Learn more about insurance options and view a list of in-network insurance carriers.

KWC has partnered with Advance Patient Financing, a flexible 3rd-party finance company that helps patients finance treatment payments. This partner is a budget-conscious loan processor that utilizes innovative technology design that allows them to process a diversity of credit levels and then connect you to the right partner lender. Learn more about financing your ketamine treatments.

Yes. We can provide a superbill to any of our patients who request one, which will allow you to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. After rendering service, KWC’s internal insurance consultant can assist patients with seeking reimbursement for a small fee. Please call us at 855-KET-WELL for more information.

Ketamine infusion therapy is specifically tailored to the type of condition being treated, which means mental health treatment protocol is different from pain treatment protocol. Ketamine treatments for pain last several hours longer and use higher doses of medication than mental health treatments.

Yes! Our Hero Discount enables military personnel, EMTs, paramedics, and other front-line workers to access ketamine therapy at discounted rates.

Yes. Refer a new patient and receive $100 off the total cost of your next maintenance appointment.

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