Note: this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as an alternative for professional medical or mental health guidance.
Ketamine assisted therapy is a relatively new method of treating mental health disorders, but it has gained popularity in recent years due to its promise.
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that is used in carefully measured doses under the supervision of a medical professional in conjunction with therapy sessions to help patients work through their experiences and emotions.
In this article, we will examine ketamine-assisted therapy, including who it is for, what problems it can help with, what research has shown, what factors should be taken into account, what a typical course of treatment entails, how much it typically costs, and what regulations exist.
What Issues Can Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Help With?
Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are just some of the psychiatric conditions that have responded positively to ketamine-assisted therapy.
There is also preliminary evidence that it could be useful in the treatment of substance abuse and suicidal ideation.
Rapid and sustained improvement in depression symptoms has been observed in many participants. However, more study is required to determine the best dosages and treatment schedules for ketamine-assisted therapy and to fully comprehend its long-term effects.
What Has The Research Shown So Far?
Ketamine-assisted therapy has shown promise as a method of treating mental health disorders, according to research.
A 2019 study found that patients who had not responded to standard antidepressant treatments could experience significant relief from their depression symptoms after taking just one dose of ketamine.
Ketamine-assisted therapy has been shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a review of several studies published in 2020.
To fully understand the long-term effects of ketamine-assisted therapy and to determine the best dosages and frequencies of treatment, however, more research is needed.
Who Is It For? Key Considerations
Those who have been dealing with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and others for a long time but have not responded well to conventional treatments may benefit from ketamine-assisted therapy.
Avoid if you have a history of psychotic disorders or substance abuse, if you are nursing a baby, if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant. Consultation with a medical doctor or mental health care provider is necessary to ascertain if ketamine-assisted therapy is appropriate for you.
Ketamine Assisted Therapy has several advantages over Psychedelic Assisted Therapies, which it is similar to in many ways. Firstly, The United States government classifies ketamine as a Schedule III substance. Therefore, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulates its distribution and makes it available with a valid prescription from a doctor (DEA).
Compare this to Psychedelics, which are for the most part considered completely illegal and require much tighter regulation as far as allowing patients to use the substances as part of research studies. (this is somewhat ironic considering the fact that Ketamine can actually be more addictive than most Psychedelics)
Second, the average duration of the effects of Ketamine lasts far less time than most Psychedelic trips – think of around two hours on Ketamine compared to six to eight hours on Psilocybin (Mushrooms), for example. This means there is less overhead or need for more hours of costly supervision at the hands of mental health and medical professionals. The shorter durations of each treatment session reduce the cost to the clinics administering them, allowing them to charge less and see more clients (although a course of treatment can still be quite costly)
What Does a Typical Course of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Treatment Look Like?
The typical ketamine-assisted treatment plan consists of several weeks of multiple weekly sessions.
At the outset of each session, the patient will be given a single dose of ketamine, and the remaining time will be spent in therapy discussing the patient’s experience and developing a plan for incorporating the drug into their daily life.
Typically, the Ketamine is administered intravenously, via a needle in the arm. Alternatives exist in the form of lozenges that one can ingest orally, although ingesting Ketamine may not result in as potent an experience. Oral ingestion has the advantage of being easier to administer, especially if patients have concerns about needles or the location in which the treatment is being conducted.
The length of time needed to complete a course of ketamine-assisted therapy differs from one clinic to the next and from one patient to the next. However, on average, a ketamine therapy course consists of 6-12 sessions, with each session lasting about 40 minutes.
The precise number of sessions needed could vary from person to person and be based on the nature and severity of the mental health problem being treated. Some people only need one session to feel much better, while others may need multiple sessions spread out over a few weeks or months.
How Much Does Ketamine Assisted Therapy Cost, And Does Insurance Cover it?
Depending on the provider and the specifics of the treatment plan, the total cost of a ketamine treatment program can range widely.
The average cost of a treatment program is between $2,500 and $10,000, with individual sessions costing $200 to $500.
Whether or not insurance covers ketamine-assisted therapy will depend on the insurer and the type of policy. In most cases, insurance does not cover this type of treatment. However, some insurers may provide coverage for a portion of the cost. It is important to check with your insurer to see if ketamine-assisted therapy is a covered benefit.
Risks and Downsides of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
One should be aware of the risks involved with ketamine-assisted therapy despite the fact that it has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health issues.
When used in conjunction with medical supervision, ketamine therapy is thought to be safe. However, as with any treatment, side effects such as low blood pressure, dizziness, disorientation, and confusion could occur. Hallucinations and psychotic symptoms are rare but possible side effects of ketamine use.
Abuse and addiction to ketamine are also causes for concern. While the risk of addiction is low with medical use, it is extremely high with recreational use of ketamine. This is why ketamine should never be administered by anyone other than a trained medical professional.
The insurance coverage, as well as the cost per session and the total number of sessions, should be taken into account. It is important to check with your insurance provider to see if ketamine-assisted therapy is a covered benefit, as coverage is often limited or nonexistent.
Consider Alternatives
Ketamine is rapidly growing in popularity, and with it strong efficacy, general availability, and comparative affordability, it definitely has a strong appeal and promise.
There may be some reasons why someone might still have reservations about experiencing the treatment. This could range from concerns about affordability or the addictive nature of Ketamine, or concerns about using mind-altering substances whether because of worries about how they will interact with you personally or fears around social stigmas.
Some alternatives include Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, which has also shown a lot of promise. If you have a way of experiencing Psychedelics in a therapeutic context, this might be worth exploring.
Additionally, at Navya, we believe that our therapy modality of Hypnosis Assisted Psychotherapy can potentially be an alternative for individuals who have concerns about Ketamine as a treatment. We strive to have our treatment sessions accomplish similar results – altering your state of consciousness, diving deep, and being led more by your own intuitive subconscious mind – all without ingesting any substances.
Whether you’re looking for alternatives for Ketamine, or looking to better prepare yourself for your Ketamine treatment by experiencing a similar journey, we believe that Hypnosis Assisted Psychotherapy can be a helpful tool and experience in your journey of healing and personal growth.
This is not a statement about the efficacy of our approach compared to Ketamine; we are not medical professionals and all the information provided here is for informational purposes only. Rather this is an invitation to explore different experiences that aim to achieve the same result – your improved healing and well-being. Compared to Ketamine, Hypnosis should be seen as far more safe, affordable, and accessible, and we invite you to try it out and see if it’s a good fit for you.
Sources:
Lee, R. T. (2019). Rapid antidepressant effects of a single dose of intravenous ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 76(3), 281–288. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.3345
Khalil, R. A., & Aboujaoude, E. N. (2020). The Efficacy of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 28(3), 142–152. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000310
World Health Organization. (2020). Essential medicines list. https://www.who.int/medicines/services/inn/essentialmedicines/EML_2020_8Dec2021.pdf
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Drugs of abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). National Survey on Drug Use and Health. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2021-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-detailed-tables
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/
