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What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

 

How Does Ketamine Therapy Work for Depression and Anxiety?

Ketamine is a drug that is proving useful in a new wave of psychiatry where drugs can be viewed as enhancing psychotherapy.  To be sure, it has a biological action with antidepressant and probable anxiety modulating properties, but it also induces a mental state that when used in conjunction with a therapist present during the sessions may lead to rapid access to important psychological themes that can be creatively applied to enhance one's psychotherapy.  

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How Does Ketamine Compare With Spravato® (Esketamine)?

Because ketamine and Spravato are often mentioned in the same conversations, many patients understandably wonder how the two treatments differ. Although our clinic does not offer Spravato, it may be helpful to outline the distinctions so patients can make informed decisions as they explore treatment options.

 

How is ketamine used in the clinic?

Ketamine sessions last about an hour.  The drug is applied through a nasal spray with dosage individualized in 5 minute increments until a relaxed somewhat altered state is achieved.  The effects peak in about 30 minutes with patients pretty much feeling themselves within an hour.  During the peak of the drug effect, patients will sometimes notice a mental stillness where perceptions are more salient than conclusions.  To give an example, the ticking of a clock might attract the patient's interest more than the time.  One might also notice an enhanced awareness of emotions connected to people and places in one's life.

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Patients should have a designated driver when they come to the clinic and should be prepared to remain in the clinic 30 to 60 minutes after their session in order to ensure that the patient feels balanced and alert upon leaving.

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​Spravato® Is a Branded, FDA-Approved Medication

Spravato (esketamine) is a patented nasal spray produced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression. Because it is a brand-name medication, the cost can be significant and its use is tightly structured around specific federal requirements, monitoring periods, and insurance protocols.

 

Ketamine Is a Generic, Long-Studied Medication With Broader Flexibility

Ketamine, by contrast, has been used safely in medicine for decades and is available generically. Although it is not FDA-approved for depression, the scientific evidence supporting its antidepressant effects spans more than 20 years. Being generic makes ketamine much more affordable, and its clinical use can be tailored to the individual rather than to a branded protocol.

 

Access and Affordability

Generic ketamine’s affordability allows many patients—especially those without insurance coverage—to explore treatment without prohibitive cost barriers. This is one of the reasons ketamine has become an important option within the “new wave” of psychiatry where medications can be used to enhance psychotherapy rather than replace it.

 

Why Some Patients Prefer Ketamine

Some patients choose ketamine because of:

• its lower cost

• its long safety history

• the flexibility of dosing

• the ability to integrate therapy directly into the session

• the personalized nature of treatment

These differences make ketamine a practical and clinically meaningful option for patients seeking relief from depression, anxiety, and other mood-related conditions.

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What mental health conditions may benefit from ketamine?

Generic Ketamine is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression but there is good science going back over 20 years supporting its efficacy.  It also is showing promise for various conditions including chronic pain, problematic drinking, and anxiety.  

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Those wanting to dive deeper into this topic might enjoy a brief podcast I uploaded to YouTube.

 

 

 

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