If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or anxiety, ketamine therapy can be a breath of fresh air. Ketamine stimulates specific areas of your brain — areas that antidepressants don’t target — so ketamine works even when other treatments haven’t.
Unlike the standard medications for anxiety and depression, ketamine isn’t taken as an oral pill. Instead, it’s administered intravenously or through a nasal spray called Spravato™ — both options are available from Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health in Newport Beach, California.
If you’ve never received ketamine therapy before, it’s normal to wonder what the process is like. Dr. Hadi Estakhri will provide all of your specific pre-treatment instructions, but in the meantime, here’s what you need to know.
Before your first ketamine session, you’ll undergo a thorough evaluation with Dr. Estakhri. This includes reviewing your medical history, symptoms, and any medications you're currently taking. All of this information helps determine if ketamine is the right solution for you.
Blood tests or psychological assessments may also be necessary to confirm the source of your symptoms and determine the right treatment.
It's important to come into each ketamine therapy session open-minded and relaxed. On the day of your therapy, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
If you need to pause or adjust any of your current medications, Dr. Estakhri lets you know.
Your specific experience depends on whether you’re receiving ketamine intravenously or through the nasal spray.
For IV ketamine therapy, you receive the ketamine intravenously in a private treatment room. Receiving ketamine intravenously is the same process as if you receive an IV in a medical or med spa setting.
To get started, our team inserts a small needle into a vein in your arm. The needle is removed, and a catheter (a small tube) is left. Your medication flows through the tube directly into your bloodstream. You may feel a quick pinch when the needle is initially inserted, but you won’t feel anything as the ketamine flows into your bloodstream.
During the session, you may experience a dreamlike state or mild dissociation. This is normal. You can expect to stay for about two hours between the IV and some monitoring afterward.
To get started with Spravato, you:
That’s it! Sit back and relax for about five minutes while the Spravato absorbs into your nose. Don’t blow your nose during this time. You’ll remain under observation in the clinic for two hours to monitor you for any potential side effects.
Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and temporary disorientation, which typically fade within hours. Some people feel relaxed and sleepy, while others describe a heightened sensory experience.
It’s important to arrange transportation home because you won't be able to drive after treatment. You start to feel a reprieve in your symptoms in as little as one hour after your therapy.
Ketamine therapy often provides fast relief, and for those dealing with mental health conditions, this can be a game-changer.
That being said, ketamine is just one piece of the puzzle. For long-lasting results, ketamine therapy is usually combined with ongoing mental health treatments such as psychotherapy or lifestyle changes.
If you have questions about your upcoming treatment or if you’d like to find out if ketamine is right for you, call us at 949-945-0927 today or book an appointment online anytime.
