Ketamine

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a psychoactive drug that was first synthesized in 1962 at Wayne State University and has been used in the United States as an anesthetic in medical settings since 1970. It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.

How is it used?

Ketamine has been used off-label in sub-anesthetic doses for the past 20 years to treat chronic pain, depression, and a variety of other mental health concerns, thanks to its rapid onset antidepressant effects, sometimes providing nearly immediate relief from emotional and physical pain. While the antidepressant effects tend to be temporary after a single ketamine treatment, multiple treatments have proven to have a cumulative effect, successfully alleviating symptoms in approximately 30 – 60% of individuals with treatment-resistant depression for a short period of time. Ketamine is most effective when paired with psychotherapy.

What is ketamine assisted therapy?

ketamine-assisted therapy or ketamine assisted psychotherapy is ketamine treatment with the psychological support of a trained therapist.  Research has demonstrated the efficacy of ketamine to help in the treatment of many mental health conditions  The structure of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy includes preparation, support during dosing sessions, and integration.  ketamine-assisted therapy can be a very effective model when compared to taking ketamine without therapy due to the psychologically insightful experiences during the session and especially following the integration of the sessions.

What is ketamine Integration?

Psychedelic integration is the process that takes place after the psychedelic experience, and Blue Sage feels this is the most important part of the transformational therapeutic process.  ERIE defines integration as “the process by which the material accessed and insights gained in a [psychedelic] experience are incorporated over time into one’s life in a way that benefits the individual and their community.”

Blue Sage offers individual and group integration support.

What if you take too much?

If you take too much ketamine you could experience heart complications, blood pressure changes, and trouble breathing. If so, get emergency medical attention. It is important not to take ketamine too often, because it can be habit forming.

What if you feel too high?

Knowing the proper ketamine dose is essential. Ketamine can cause someone to feel disconnected or dissociated; this could be frightening for some. Fortunately, the effects of ketamine usually only lasts approximately 60 mins.

  1. Find a safe, cozy and positive environment
  2. Repeat a mantra (“this too shall pass”, “I am ok”, “I am love”, “I am peace”)
  3. Take deep breaths
  4. Put earbuds in and listen to a calming meditation music
  5. Have a good support person with you or nearby
  6. Take a nap

If you or someone you know would like peer support during an experience, you can call 62-FIRESIDE (623-473-7433). If needed, seek medical/psychological help. Emergency rooms have been known to use medicines like benzodiazepines to help reduce effects of ketamine.

What is the legal status of ketamine?

Ketamine is legal in the US by prescription; it is a Schedule 3 Drug.

How to talk to you practitioner about ketamine?

Ketamine is very commonly used in emergency rooms, but now it is more and more being accepted as part of treatment for pain and mental health conditions.
Do your homework – Ketamine can be very effective, but it is not widely used by PCPs or psychiatrists. Because most doctors do not use it, they may not know much about it. You can find a ketamine knowledgeable practitioner near you to help educate and inform you and your practitioner.

Test the water – It is best to be honest with your practitioner. Your communication with them is confidential, but keep in mind some practitioners may be worried they’ll get in trouble for talking about it with you. If this is the case you may want to start by saying that you read some fascinating research/book and you were wondering what they thought.

Be aware that you may be the person who educates your practitioner or changes his or her mind about ketamine, opening the door for more treatment options for your practitioner and their other clients.

Even with all of this advice, you may find that your current practitioner may not be on-board. There could be a lot of personal and professional reasons for that, and they should be respected. But just because it’s the end of the conversation with that practitioner doesn’t mean it’s the end of the conversation for you. It does, however, mean you may need to consider finding someone else who’s more open or has more information.

More info?

To find out more information about ketamine you can click here