Understanding Ketamine Treatment
Initially developed in the 1960s as a powerful anesthetic, ketamine has recently gained recognition as an innovative therapy for various mental health challenges, most notably major depression and suicidal thoughts. Its clinical use has since broadened to include conditions like OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), PTSD, postpartum depression, and bipolar disorder.
At Phoenix Mental Health, we provide comprehensive ketamine treatment options, including IV (intravenous), IM (intramuscular), and intranasal (inhaled) administration—all delivered safely under the guidance of trained medical professionals.
- Many patients report noticeable improvement after just one session.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Ketamine operates by inhibiting NMDA receptors in the brain, resulting in elevated levels of glutamate, a critical neurotransmitter. This action stimulates AMPA receptors, which are thought to play a key role in rapid mood elevation. Unlike conventional antidepressants that primarily influence serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine, ketamine directly impacts glutamate pathways.
This distinct mechanism is what sets ketamine apart, offering new possibilities for individuals who haven’t benefited from standard treatments.
- Traditional antidepressants don’t target glutamate, making ketamine a novel alternative for treatment-resistant depression.
What to Expect During a Ketamine Session
Each ketamine session is a personalized experience. Effects may vary from person to person, and even from one session to the next. Common experiences include a sense of dissociation, changes in time perception, enhanced color visuals, and deep emotional calm or connection. These sensations are temporary and usually wear off shortly after treatment concludes.
Duration of Ketamine’s Effects
IV and IM ketamine therapies generally provide longer-lasting relief than the intranasal option (Spravato). Treatment typically starts with two sessions weekly over four weeks, followed by a maintenance plan tailored to the patient’s response, with booster treatments spaced out over time.
Spravato treatments begin with twice-weekly dosing during the first month, then transition to weekly sessions in the second month. From the third month onward, the schedule is customized based on your individual needs in collaboration with your provider.
Is Ketamine Right for You?
If you are 18 or older and haven’t found sufficient relief from at least one antidepressant, ketamine therapy may be a suitable alternative.
Will somebody be with me during treatment?
Only our highly trained physicians will administer and monitor your IV and IM sessions to ensure your safety. You will meet with a physician prior to each treatment to discuss your progress and review any changes that can be made to your treatment in hopes of advancing your therapeutic benefits. Once the treatment has started, you will be monitored via a camera (non recording) by your physician. After the treatment concludes, you’ll spend time in a calm recovery setting where you can relax, read, or listen to music until you’re ready to leave.
Spravato sessions require less intensive monitoring. You will be monitored by our highly qualified and certified Spravato technicians. A medical provider will always be present to oversee your treatments, though you may not meet with them at every visit.
Spravato (Nasal Ketamine)
- Typically covered by most insurance providers
- Possible out-of-pocket expenses: copays, coinsurance, or deductibles
- Flexible payment options are available
IV (intravenous) Ketamine treatment
- Pricing begins at $420 per session
- The average initial protocol includes 6–8 sessions
- Financing options provided
IM (intramuscular) Ketamine treatment
- Sessions start at $315
- Most treatment plans involve 6–8 sessions
- Custom payment solutions are available
Feel free to contact our office with any questions.
Discover Peace at Our Clinic
Contact us today to discover how ketamine treatment can offer renewed hope and a path to overcoming depression.
