Ketamine for Anxiety
Ketamine is a medication that was originally developed as an anesthetic but has shown remarkable promise in treating severe anxiety disorders. Unlike traditional anxiety medications that can take weeks to effectively treat anxiety, ketamine often provides relief from anxiety symptoms within hours or days. This breakthrough treatment offers new hope for people who haven’t found success with standard therapies. Research shows that ketamine can help reset brain patterns that contribute to chronic anxiety.
To learn more about ketamine for anxiety, please contact Balanced Mind of New York to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation with a licensed psychotherapist.
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy involves the controlled medical use of ketamine to treat mental health conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and depression. During treatment, patients receive carefully measured doses of ketamine under medical supervision in a clinical setting. Ketamine blocks certain brain receptors and promotes the growth of new neural connections. These treatment effects of ketamine can help break the cycle of persistent anxiety symptoms that haven’t responded to other therapies.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that interferes with daily life. Common types include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. These conditions affect millions of people and can cause physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Traditional treatments include therapy, lifestyle changes, and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs.
Effects of Ketamine
Ketamine produces both immediate and long-term effects on anxiety symptoms. In the short term, patients may experience a dissociative state where they feel detached from their surroundings, which typically lasts 30-60 minutes. The anti-anxiety benefits (also called anxiolytic effects) often begin within hours and can last for days or weeks after treatment. Many patients report feeling calmer, more hopeful, and better able to engage in daily activities and therapy sessions.
The Science Behind Ketamine’s Anti-Anxiety Effects
Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which are involved in processing the neurotransmitter glutamate. This action triggers a cascade of changes that promote neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways. The medication essentially helps “rewire” brain circuits that have become stuck in patterns of anxiety and fear. This neuroplasticity effect is why ketamine can provide a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms even after the medication has left the body.
How Ketamine Differs from Traditional Anxiety Treatments
Traditional anxiety medications like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work by adjusting serotonin levels and typically take four to six weeks to reduce anxiety and related mental health symptoms. Ketamine, in contrast, works on the glutamate system and a treatment response may become evident within hours of receiving ketamine therapy. While conventional treatments focus on managing symptoms, ketamine appears to address underlying brain dysfunction, allowing for longer-term symptom reduction. Additionally, ketamine may be effective for treatment-resistant anxiety, which are cases where multiple other medications or therapies have failed.
Ketamine Clinics
Ketamine clinics are specialized medical facilities that provide ketamine therapy for mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other psychiatric disorders with comorbid anxiety symptoms. These clinics are staffed by trained medical professionals who monitor patients throughout their treatment sessions. Most clinics offer comfortable, private treatment rooms where patients can relax during their sessions. The clinical setting ensures safety and allows for immediate medical intervention if needed during treatment.
Treatment Protocols
Ketamine treatment typically follows a structured protocol that begins with an initial series of sessions over several weeks. Most patients start with six to eight treatments spaced two to three days apart during the first month. After this initial phase, ketamine administration is usually scheduled every two to four weeks based on individual response. Healthcare providers adjust the frequency and calibrate to the optimal dosing level based on how well patients respond and how long the benefits last.
Clinical Monitoring
During ketamine therapy, medical staff continuously monitor patients for safety and effectiveness. Vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels are checked before, during, and after each session. Healthcare providers also assess the patient’s mental state and any dissociative effects throughout the treatment. This monitoring ensures patient safety and helps determine if any adjustments to treatment are needed.
Clinical Assessment Tools
Healthcare providers use standardized rating scales to measure anxiety levels before and after ketamine treatment. Common tools include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). These assessments help track treatment progress and determine whether ketamine therapy is working effectively. Regular evaluations also help providers adjust treatment plans and identify any emerging concerns.
Types of Ketamine Treatment
Ketamine therapy is available in several different forms, each with unique benefits and considerations. The main types include intravenous (IV) infusions, intramuscular injections, nasal spray, and sublingual tablets or lozenges. Ketamine infusion therapy (IV ketamine) is considered the gold standard and is most commonly used in clinical settings. The choice of treatment method depends on factors like patient preference, medical history, and clinic capabilities.
Ketamine Infusion (Intravenous Ketamine or IV Ketamine)
Ketamine infusion therapy involves delivering the medication directly into the bloodstream through a small needle in the arm. This method allows for precise dosing and the most predictable effects, making it the preferred option for most clinics. Treatment sessions typically last 40-60 minutes, during which patients remain awake but may feel drowsy or disconnected. While repeated ketamine infusions are usually recommended for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, IV ketamine generally produces the most consistent and longest-lasting results compared to other delivery methods.
Ketamine Injections
Intramuscular ketamine injections involve administering the medication into a muscle, usually in the arm or thigh. This method is less common than IV therapy but may be used when IV access is difficult or unavailable. The effects are similar to IV ketamine but may take slightly longer to begin and can be less predictable. Injections are typically given in a ketamine clinic or other medically supervised setting with the same monitoring and safety protocols as IV treatments.
Ketamine Nasal Spray (Spravato)
Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray form of ketamine called esketamine, specifically designed for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Patients self-administer the spray under medical supervision in a ketamine clinic or other medically supervised setting. The medication is absorbed through the nasal passages. The rapid onset of ketamine effects begins within 30-60 minutes. Spravato is typically used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant (often a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and requires observation for at least two hours after each dose.
Sublingual Ketamine (Ketamine Lozenges or Troches)
Sublingual ketamine comes in the form of lozenges or troches that dissolve under the tongue. This method allows for at-home treatment after the initial doses are given in a clinical setting. The medication is absorbed through the tissues under the tongue and enters the bloodstream directly. While convenient, sublingual ketamine may be less potent than IV therapy and requires careful monitoring to ensure proper dosing and safety.
Who Is a Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?
Ideal candidates for ketamine therapy are individuals with severe anxiety disorders that haven’t responded to traditional treatments, which is referred to as “treatment-resistant” anxiety. This includes people who have tried multiple medications, therapy approaches, or both to treat anxiety without sufficient improvement. It may be recommended for individuals who have been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression in addition to an anxiety disorder, as ketamine therapy has been effective in treating both anxiety and depression symptoms.
Candidates should be medically stable and able to attend regular treatment sessions. Healthcare providers carefully screen patients to ensure they don’t have conditions that would make ketamine therapy unsafe or ineffective. This includes individuals with uncontrolled psychotic disorders because ketamine may induce hallucinogenic effects in some people, which can intensify and worsen psychotic symptoms.
Treatment Process and What to Expect
The ketamine treatment process begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation and discussion of treatment goals. During each session, patients typically relax in a comfortable chair while receiving the medication and being monitored by medical staff. Most people experience mild dissociative effects during treatment, which can include feeling detached or dreamlike. After the session, patients rest for 30-60 minutes before being cleared to leave, though they cannot drive and should have someone available to take them home.
Side Effects and Safety Considerations
Common side effects of ketamine therapy include nausea, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, and temporary dissociation during treatment. These effects are generally mild and resolve within a few hours after each session. More serious but rare side effects can include bladder problems with long-term use and potential for psychological dependence. Patients with certain heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or substance abuse history may not be suitable candidates for ketamine therapy.
How Do I Pay For My Ketamine Therapy?
Balanced Mind of New York is a private pay practice and does not accept insurance. We believe in providing individualized, high-quality care without the restrictions or limitations often associated with insurance-based treatment.
If you have out-of-network benefits, we’re happy to provide a superbill upon request, which you can submit directly to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. Please consult your provider to understand your coverage and eligibility for out-of-network mental health services.
Contact Details for Balanced Mind of New York Ketamine Therapists
Please contact us at [email protected] or 646-883-5544 to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward a healthier you.