ketamine details

Ketamine was first invented in 1962 as a derivative of phencyclidine (PCP) for use as an anesthetic medication.  It works through various receptors in the brain and still is used for anesthesia in humans today.  The major effect of ketamine is blocking  NMDA receptors which, in turn, increases activity in areas all over the brain.

Ketamine has had a large resurgence as a medicine for uses outside of anesthesiology.  By now, most people are aware that ketamine is capable of providing benefits to people suffering with severe depression with rapid improvement in those with suicidal thoughts.  But ketamine has good science supporting help with chronic pain management, PTSD, chronic migraines, fibromyalgia, and burns.  There is even some emerging work showing it may be of benefit in treating substance use disorders (addictions).

It is very difficult to explain what ketamine feels like for patients.  The effects patients feel are dependent on the dose they get.  Ketamine  is a dissociative rather than a true hallucinogen which means there are more sensations of being removed from one's body or feeling "detached".  The perception of time is altered and low levels of amnesia can occur.  

Other effects include increased heart rate and/or blood pressure, nausea, anxiety, visual blurring/changes and even numbness of the body can also be present.  All of these issues are easily managed during the infusions and many patients don't notice any of these effects.

The medication starts working quickly and the body eliminates the drug and metabolites quickly after the infusion is over.  Most patients feel the medication wearing off within 10-30 minutes and feel almost completely normal within 3-6 hours after treatment.

All patients at New Wave are evaluated and treated by a physician, and all ketamine therapies are overseen by an anesthesiologist.