Schedule a Ketamine
Treatment Consultation
Schedule an appointment via call or text at
(385) 685-1410 or fill out the form below:
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Ketamine Treatments Explained
What it Treats, What to Expect, and What Users Experienced
Ketamine is the popular new treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, addiction, and chronic pain. Unlike traditional anti-depressants that seek to dull symptoms of depression and anxiety, Ketamine targets the causes of mental illness. It enables the mind to heal itself by rewiring malfunctioning neurons and creating new neural pathways in the brain.
Ketamine is a medication, first approved by the FDA in 1970 as a sedative. It is a popular anesthetic because Ketamine, unlike most other anesthetics, does not depress the respiratory system. This means it will not affect a patient’s breathing. Therefore, Ketamine is often given in the Emergency Room to children. The drug is also used in veterinary medicine as an animal tranquilizer.
Unfortunately, Ketamine can also be abused as a street drug, known as “Special K.” When ingested in powdered form, Ketamine has a psychedelic effect.
Recent research shows Ketamine, at low doses, provides a profound improvement in a variety of mental illnesses. Ketamine, which received “breakthrough” clearance by the FDA in 2019 for the treatment of depression, is hailed as the “most significant breakthrough for treating depression in half a century.”
KETAMINE TREATMENT APPLICATIONS
Ketamine may improve symptoms of a variety of conditions. These conditions include:
- Depression
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- PTSD
- Suicidal ideation
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Chronic pain
HOW DOES KETAMINE HELP?
“The discovery of a new, rapidly acting class of drug with a completely novel mechanism is arguably the biggest breakthrough in the field of depression in over 60 years.”
Ketamine’s exact mechanism of action on anxiety and depressive symptoms is unknown. But researchers believe Ketamine may insulate individuals from the effects of stress. In essence, Ketamine is a resiliency enhancing drug.
Ketamine is unlike traditional anti-depressants (SSRIs) that regulate brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Rather than dulling chemical signals from malfunctioning neurons, Ketamine repairs damaged neural pathways. It does this by promoting glutamate production. Glutamate is a prominent brain chemical that helps neurons communicate with one another.
Glutamate is responsible for neuroplasticity. This refers to the brain’s ability to change its physical structure by repairing synapses and creating new neuropathways in response to learning and experiencing new things. In essence, Ketamine allows the brain to “rewire” itself. Ketamine helps create new pathways (that facilitate new ways of thinking) that are resistant to stress, anxiety, and depression.
In addition to rewiring the brain, Ketamine may also reduce signals responsible for inflammation. Inflammation may contribute to depressive symptoms. Inflammation is also the main culprit in chronic pain conditions.
Ketamine treatment cost varies per patient. This new depression treatment is currently not covered by health insurance. Ketamine Therapy at Therapeutic Alternatives offers treatments on a self-pay basis. During your consultation, prices will be discussed in detail. If you are a good candidate for this treatment, we will customize a treatment plan that meets your needs while matching your budget.
We are committed to making affordable Ketamine therapy available to the Salt Lake City and West Jordan, Utah area, and currently offer the lowest rates.
Studies have shown there is a positive cumulative effect of doing a series of 6 treatments in a short amount of time. Infusions are typically given once or twice a week for up to 6 treatments in a series (this may vary depending on individual needs and response). Following the initial series, maintenance infusions are available on an as needed basis.
KETAMINE RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Ketamine does not have the adverse side effects associated with traditional anti-depressants (such as weight gain, decreased libido, increased risk of suicide, and more.) Nevertheless, Ketamine is not for everyone. To ensure the safety and well-being of each client, all Ketamine treatments are conducted by board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner Austin Francom, APRN, FNP, and licensed therapist Candace Curzon, LCSW.
During your Ketamine treatment, you may experience an altered mental status. You will still be able to walk and talk. However, you may experience blurred vision, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, a certain degree of immobility, and amnesia. These are typical side effects during treatment and will subside after your procedure. A therapeutic dose of Ketamine may also make you feel calm and relaxed, with a decrease in pain. You will be supervised for the entirety of your treatment.
You will quickly return to your normal mental state within an hour or so of your Ketamine injection.
All Ketamine treatments are conducted by Austin Francom, APRN, FNP, and Candace Curzon, LCSW.
Austin is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and has undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology. He has been practicing in the Salt Lake Valley in primary care since 2013.
Candace has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Masters of Social Work. She also worked at the crisis center at the University of Utah’s Neuropsychiatric Institute and as part of the inpatient psychiatric unit at LDS Hospital. She opened Ketamine Therapy at Therapeutic Alternatives in 2019. Candace also found Therapy Alliance in 2020, which consists of a group of therapist trained in Ketamine Therapy integration therapy.
Candace and Austin have both trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). They have also trained through the Ketamine Training Center by Phil Wolfsen, who is the leading researcher on Ketamine and Ketamine Assisted Therapy. They are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment where healing and treatment can provide maximum benefits for each patient.
During your treatment, a medical professional will administer the ketamine via injection or infusion. A low dose of Ketamine is administered intramuscularly or infused through an IV over 40-60 minutes, during which time a provider will closely monitor your progression. Ketamine takes effect almost immediately, and you may experience an altered or dissociative state. Ketamine is a safe drug and does not affect the respiratory system, but it is also a dissociative anesthetic that can induce a psychedelic state. Dissociation can manifest as a type of out-of-body experience, where you partially lose awareness of your body. Most patients find the experience relaxing and pleasant.
Patients may experience an altered mental status during the treatment, although you will be awake and able to talk. Patients have reported blurred vision, confusion, nausea, and slurred speech. These symptoms temporary and gradually subside after the treatment. Normal mental state returns quickly after the infusion is complete. Patients must have someone drive them home and should not drive or operate machinery the day of their treatment.
A provider will supervise you throughout the entirety of your treatment. Should you need assistance at any point during the procedure, both a licensed therapist and nurse practitioner are available to assist.
At Ketamine Therapy at Therapeutic Alternatives, we have taken particular care to create an environment that feels safe and comfortable. We have designed our private Ketamine therapy rooms to encourage a relaxed and home-like mood. We believe that your treatment setting should inspire a sense of security and foster surroundings where healing can take place.
Many clients feel immediate relief from depressive symptoms. Relief can last between one to two weeks. For sustained improvement, Ketamine therapy typically follows a 6-treatment protocol, with one to two injections given each week.
KETAMINE REVIEWS
Christopher E.
Emma B.
Josh H.
Karen F.
Mindful Living Wellness Center
Treatment specifics
Many clients feel immediate relief from depressive symptoms. Relief can last between one to two weeks. Ketamine works best in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan. For sustained improvement, Ketamine therapy typically follows a 6-treatment protocol, with one to two injections given each week.
KETAMINE Therapy NEAR ME | Salt Lake City and West Jordan, Utah
Learn more about this exciting new way to treat depression, anxiety, and addiction. Get started by scheduling a consultation with the medical and therapy professionals at Ketamine Therapy SLC at Therapeutic Alternatives in Salt Lake City and West Jordan, Utah. Reach out online by filling out the form below or call a treatment provider at (385) 685-1410.
Schedule a Ketamine
Treatment Consultation
Schedule an appointment via call or text at
(385) 685-1410
or fill out the form below:
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone/email/text
Schedule a Ketamine
Treatment Consultation
Schedule an appointment via call or text at (385) 685-1410 or fill out the form below:
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone/email/text
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-nasal-spray-medication-treatment-resistant-depression-available-only-certified
Collo, G., & Merlo Pich, E. (2018). Ketamine enhances structural plasticity in human dopaminergic neurons: possible relevance for treatment-resistant depression. Neural regeneration research, 13(4), 645–646. LINK.
Duman R. S. (2018). The Dazzling Promise of Ketamine. Cerebrum : The Dana forum on brain science, 2018, cer-04-18.
Mandal, S., Sinha, V. K., & Goyal, N. (2019). Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression. Indian journal of psychiatry, 61(5), 480–485. LINK.
Molero, P., Ramos-Quiroga, J.A., Martin-Santos, R. et al. Antidepressant Efficacy and Tolerability of Ketamine and Esketamine: A Critical Review. CNS Drugs 32, 411–420 (2018). LINK.
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