“Ketamine Infusion Therapy is a significant breakthrough in the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders, particularly for individuals with few treatment options. It holds the promise of enhancing outcomes, alleviating suffering, and opening doors to future innovations in mental health care.”
-Dr. Edgar Hernandez | Regional Medical Director, Texas and Georgia | Mindful Health Solutions
The Challenges of Treating Depression
Classical antidepressant medications (including SSRIs like Prozac) have limited success and take anywhere from 4 – 8 weeks to work – if they work at all. This leaves up to a third of people not finding any relief from depression symptoms, even after multiple medication trials, and another third with partial responses but still inadequately treated depression.
In fact, many patients spend months to even years cycling through different medication trials, each trial taking 1 – 2 months, still without any relief. While cycling through these trials, it’s common for them to experience unpleasant and intolerable side effects, such as weight gain, emotional numbness, and loss of sexual desire. These side effects, combined with slow-acting medication, may also leave patients more vulnerable to suicidal ideation, altogether proving we need faster acting and more effective antidepressant options for people experiencing depression.
Enter Ketamine IV Therapy: A Fast-Acting, Highly Effective “Novel” Antidepressant
For patients with treatment-resistant depression, Ketamine Infusion Therapy is a game changer. Studies Ketamine is an “old drug” with a new purpose! Ketamine has been used as a general anesthetic in medicine since the 1970s, with a well-established track record of safety when used under appropriate medical supervision.
In the early 2000s, psychiatric researchers at Yale University discovered that a low-dose ketamine infusion (sub anesthetic) has rapid and profound antidepressant effects in depression patients, although the effects of just one ketamine injection lasts only 3 to 7 days. Over the next 2 decades, continued research showed that repeated ketamine infusions can maintain antidepressant effects for months or even years without significant side effects. Remission rates are around 40% and response rates are 70%, much higher than standard antidepressant treatment.
In addition to these rapid-acting effects, ketamine has also been shown to have rapid and profound anti-suicidal properties, making ketamine infusion treatment a great option for patients struggling with suicidal ideation. Patients with PTSD have also been shown to benefit from ketamine treatment, reporting decreases in arousal, avoidance, and re-experiencing (flashback) symptoms.
“The provision of Ketamine Infusion Therapy has been one of the most humbling, powerful and transformative experiences in my professional career. It’s so rewarding to confidently provide an evidenced-based therapy that not only has shown great results, but also provides a healing experience unlike any other in medicine. It’s a been a privilege to share in that experience with the many we’ve helped and are planning to help in the future.”
-Dr. Alvin Lau | Director of Ketamine Infusion Therapy | Mindful Health Solutions
What to Expect during IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy
During a ketamine infusion treatment, patients are accompanied by an RN and psychiatrist. They sit in a comfortable reclining chair in a private room and an IV is placed. Ketamine is infused over 40 minutes, during which time many patients experience altered states of consciousness lasting around 30 minutes. These are typically positive experiences that are important for the therapeutic efficacy of the ketamine injection.
At Mindful Health Solutions, our clinical team supports patients before, during, and after the ketamine infusion. A standard course of IV ketamine treatment is 2 infusions per week for 3 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments every 2 – 4 weeks thereafter to maintain the effect – and we are with you every step of the way.
“It’s been very special to see Ketamine Patients come into treatment, with or without experience in the modality. I’m able to see how Ketamine helps foster emotional processing and insight, enabling patients to examine and make sense of challenging feelings or experiences. Being involved with Ketamine infusions since 2018, I’ve been able to witness an enormous difference in patients who are able to experience its benefits. Less than 1% of the population who could benefit from ketamine has come to know the treatment, but its acceptance is growing and its potential for making a difference on every patient is enormous.“
-Houston Power, RN | Nurse Manager of Ketamine Infusion Therapy | Mindful Health Solutions
How Patients Describe Ketamine IV Therapy
During their ketamine infusion, patients are encouraged to “unpack” their thoughts and experiences. Many report that ketamine therapy has helped them feel more “emotionally resilient,” allowing them to better manage daily stressors without spiraling into depression and/or anxiety. As a result, they are better able to function in their daily lives.
Similarly, patients in psychotherapy getting ketamine IV infusion treatments note that they have more productive psychotherapy sessions and are better able to utilize skills and insights from therapy during their day-to-day lives.
“The results have been nothing short of remarkable, my depression symptoms have significantly improved, and I finally feel like myself again. I recommend Mindful Health Solutions … 5 stars isn’t enough! They deserve more stars for giving me my life back. Ketamine Infusion Therapy helped me a lot to overcome my mental illness, and I’m finally feeling hopeful about my future. The team is exceptional, and I’m grateful for their expertise and care.”
-A.H. | Mindful Health Solutions Patient
“I was skeptical at first, but Ketamine Infusion Therapy helped me a lot to recover my mental health. After years of struggling with severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD, I had tried every treatment. But from the very first session at this clinic, I knew I was in good hands. The staff is warm, empathetic, and knowledgeable, and the treatment itself was surprisingly relaxing and comfortable. The effects were almost immediate, my depression and anxiety symptoms began to lift, and I felt a sense of hope and renewal that I hadn’t experienced in years. The ketamine infusions have allowed me to finally start processing my trauma and working through my mental health challenges in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. Thank you so much.”
-A.D. | Mindful Health Solutions Patient
Learn More about the Power of IV Ketamine Therapy
IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy may be the solution you’ve been looking for to manage and treat symptoms of depression. Mindful Health Solutions is here to guide you through the process and ensure a customized treatment plan that targets your specific mental health needs. Contact us today to discuss your options, or click here to schedule a callback with one of our qualified, compassionate professionals.
