What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy?
Updated: Apr 22
Ketamine is an anesthetic normally used for dental or surgical procedures. Oral ketamine is now being used for therapy, but it is not as commonly used as other forms of ketamine such as intravenous (IV) infusion or intramuscular (IM). Oral ketamine is typically given in the form of a capsule called a trochee, and its effects can vary depending on factors such as the patient's metabolism and the dosage.
Oral ketamine has been studied for its potential in treating depression and anxiety, and studies have shown promising results. It's important to note that oral ketamine has a lower bioavailability compared to other forms of ketamine, which means that it has a lower risk than IV or IM.
In addition, oral ketamine is not yet FDA-approved for the treatment of mental health conditions, and its use for this purpose is considered off-label. Oral ketamine can only be prescribed by a medical professional as it may have potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
Overall, oral ketamine has boosted my therapeutic methods. Adding ketamine as a tool to support and create breakthroughs is like adding steroids to therapy. In my opinion the "secret sauce" is the relationship, trust, and the therapeutic methods. Somatic based practices are the most effective methods of addressing deeply rooted issues. Emotions and sensations are the domain of the body, and so one must include the main carrier of any discomfort. So far, I have really enjoyed seeing my patients achieve their goals in a relatively short amount of time. The witnessing of the breakthroughs are like watching a re birth, the blooming of a flower or a gorgeous sunset. It is quite an amazing experience!
I offer 2 types of therapy with Ketamine as a tool, mind you that I don't use the sitter model. One type of ketamine therapy is to address deeply rooted issues caused by trauma. Sessions are 3 hours long but a LOT gets done, and I like to squeeze the most juice out of it. I utilize the PSI model as I see it is highly successful at "shaking things off".
The second type of ketamine session I facilitate is a resourcing and reparative kind. I utilize the setting of intention and ritual for both types of session, except the latter one is for the temporary relief of symptoms of PTSD and mood disorders, including Bipolar Disorder. It is a very nice bandaid, however it does not address issues at their core. Let me know if you have any more questions I can answer.