Ketamine was introduced into clinical practice in the 1960s and approved by the FDA for use as an anesthetic agent in 1970. The administration of ketamine in lower, sub-anesthetic doses to treat pain, depression, trauma and other psychiatric diagnoses is a modern off-label use of ketamine, but has been studied for the last several decades.

Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic, dissociation meaning a sense of disconnection from one’s ordinary reality and usual self. It has a half-life of ~45 minutes when administered orally/sublingually. At the dosage level I work with, folks typically experience mild anesthetic, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anti-depressant and, potentially, psychedelic effects. Non-ordinary (“altered”), transpersonal (“transcendental”, “mystical”, “spiritual”, “religious”) peak experiences can occur. Research has demonstrated the possibility of an antidepressant response to low dosages of ketamine– this is more frequently noted when administered intravenously or intramuscularly. The antidepressant effect tends to be more sustained with repeated use—in other words, a cumulative effect.

It is my professional view that psychedelic, ‘dissociative’ experiences are a supportive, potentially profound, and beneficial vehicle in providing a catalyst for deep change.

Ketamine can provide both temporary and sustained relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma. This occurs in a few ways. The short term possibility of euphoric or mood-elevating effects of the drug while it is psychoactive in the body can give immediate relief from acute distressing symptoms- this initial experience can last up to a couple of days. More long term, especially with several intentional doses, we see mood and relational benefits because an altered state of consciousness offers us different ways to engage with ourselves more compassionately and with less shame or judgment.

The exploration and experience of other possible states of consciousness can offer profound healing. We see positive shifts in outlook, mindset, self-talk, relationships with self and others, and as a result, the capacity for significant positive behavioral changes. Ketamine induces brain “plasticity” or changeability: neuronal growth that offers us cognitive flexibility. The possibility of new associations with our history, and expanded tolerance for processing distressing experiences and emotions gives us more resilience and means we can be open to more neutral and positive life experiences.

Estimates for KAP are based on a standard session of rate of $600 for a 3 hour session.

I recommend a course of 6 doses of Ketamine to see both substantial and lasting changes in mood and coping. Each dosing session has 1 hour of preparation time built in, approximately 1.5 hours for active medicine experiencing, and the 30 minutes for initial processing of the experience. I require that every dosing session have a minimum of 2 integration sessions (standard rate of $175/ hour) to support internalizing and growing from the experience.

For a course of 6, 3 hour dose session of KAP + 12 integration sessions, the cost would be $5,700. Payment is charged per session, so cost is spread over the duration of treatment, approximately 3 months.