Ketamine is a long-established anesthetic, in use for over half a century, and has grown to include applications beyond its original medical uses. The medical community is well-versed in its side effects and dosages but continues to explore its evolving benefits in mental health care.

In the last twenty years, ketamine has become a significant alternative treatment for various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality, alcoholism and other disorders. It is particularly effective in severe cases where other treatments have failed.

Ketamine promotes growth in the prefrontal cortex and other brain areas crucial for emotion regulation. It is believed to help form new neural connections and repair damaged ones, thereby paving new pathways that enhance mood, cognitive abilities, and sleep quality.

Ketamine helps modulate glutamate, the most prevalent neurotransmitter in the brain, which is essential for creating and maintaining synapses. It also affects the balance with GABA, another neurotransmitter, crucial for a healthy nervous system. This balance is vital for mental well-being, influencing conditions like anxiety and sleep disorders.

As an NMDA-receptor antagonist, ketamine aids in rebalancing the glutamate system. This leads to an increase in BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which is essential for sustaining healthy brain activity. This process is vital for ketamine’s antidepressant properties and influences the development of new psychiatric medications.

Prestigious institutions including Yale, Stanford, Harvard, UCLA, USC, NYU, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Cleveland Clinic have been researching ketamine’s effects on mental health for two decades. Their studies indicate that about 70% of patients who have not benefited from traditional treatments show significant improvement with ketamine therapy.

Description and Method of Administration: Ketamine, widely recognized for its immediate antidepressant effects, is used to manage mental health disorders. In this at-home program, ketamine is provided in the form of sublingual troches, which patients can use under expert supervision.

Initial and Ongoing Costs: The initial start-up cost for the therapy is $250, which includes the first month’s supply of medication and delivery, intake therapy assessment and intake medical assessment. Thereafter, the cost is $199 per month, which covers the medication and continuous delivery. If you currently take other psychiatric medications, they will also be managed with New Age Psychiatry included in cost.

Initial and Adjusted Dosage: The therapy begins with a conservative initial dose to safely establish an effective amount for each individual. The dosage is then tailored based on the individual’s response and the observed outcomes.

Timing of Improvement: Patients typically start experiencing improvement within a few hours to several days after beginning the therapy, with substantial benefits generally observed within the first few weeks.

Common Adverse Reactions: While undergoing treatment, patients may experience side effects such as nausea, dizziness, a sense of dissociation, or a distorted reality, which usually diminish after a few hours.

Assessment for Suitability: Not everyone is eligible for this therapy; candidates must first complete a detailed assessment to verify their suitability for at-home treatment. This assessment focuses on their mental health history, their current mental and overall health condition. In addition, clients who  may be disqualified if on two or more take controlled medications. Clients on two controlled medications can be treated if agreed to taper one class of controlled medications as determined by the provider and client.