RealCare Ketamine Boutique

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Ketamine Therapy & Mental Health

Ketamine was first synthesized in the 1960s and approved by the FDA in 1970 as an anesthetic for both humans and animals. During the Vietnam War, it was widely used due to its safety profile and effectiveness in the field. In recent decades, ketamine has gained recognition for its off-label use in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideations, postpartum depression, and chronic pain.

Benefits of IV Ketamine for Mental Health

Rapid Onset: Many patients experience improvement in symptoms within hours or days, rather than the weeks typically required for traditional antidepressants.
High Efficacy: Particularly effective in treating symptoms of depression and PTSD that have not responded to other treatments.
Cognitive Enhancement: Associated with enhanced neuroplasticity that helps alleviate brain fog and improve cognitive function in post-COVID patients.
Reduction in Suicidal Ideation: Can quickly diminish thoughts of suicide, providing critical time to engage in further treatment options.

Why Ketamine

Side Effects of Ketamine While ketamine is generally well-tolerated when administered under medical supervision, it can cause short-term side effects such as dizziness, nausea, dissociation (a feeling of detachment from reality), confusion, and increased blood pressure. Long-term use or abuse of ketamine can potentially lead to issues such as bladder problems, cognitive impairment, or addiction. Dissociative experiences may be disorienting for some, but are typically short-lived and subside as the effects wear off. Safety Precautions and Contraindications Ketamine is safe when administered in a clinical setting, but it is not suitable for everyone. People with a history of psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), uncontrolled high blood pressure, or those with a history of substance abuse may not be good candidates for ketamine therapy. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and individuals with certain cardiac conditions should avoid ketamine without medical consultation. Proper screening and monitoring by healthcare professionals are essential to ensure safety. Differences Between Ketamine and Typical Mental Health Medications Traditional mental health medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and benzodiazepines, primarily work by modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These medications often require several weeks to take effect and can come with their own side effects, including weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or emotional blunting. The World Health Organization has listed Ketamine as an Ketamine WHO Essential Medicine. Additionally, The National Institute of Health has studied Ketamine for depression for more than 15 years. There is scientific research proving the effectiveness of this treatment, which means controlled, double-blind, peer-reviewed studies at major institutions. Mechanisms of Ketamine Biological: Ketamine primarily works by blocking NMDA receptors, which increases the release of glutamate, the brain’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. This cascade results in enhanced synaptic plasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections, potentially reversing the negative structural changes seen in depression and PTSD. Ketamine also produces an opioid sparing effect (mu opioid sparing and opioid potentiation) and many patients are able to reduce their opioid intake by as much as 50% or more. Some patients are able to permanently eliminate opioids. Functional: Ketamine's ability to induce rapid neuroplasticity may help restore impaired neural circuits related to mood and emotion regulation. Functional improvements may also be seen in cognitive processes, decision-making, and emotional resilience, allowing individuals to feel less overwhelmed and more capable of managing daily life. Psychological: Ketamine’s dissociative effects can provide a fresh perspective on entrenched negative thought patterns. By distancing individuals from their usual emotional experiences, it allows for a shift in mindset and a reduction in repetitive negative thinking. This detachment may aid in therapeutic breakthroughs and personal insight. Spiritual: Many individuals report experiencing feelings of transcendence, connectedness, or a heightened sense of meaning during ketamine sessions. These experiences, often described as spiritual, may contribute to an overall sense of well-being and play a role in the long-term therapeutic effects by fostering a deeper understanding of self and existence.

Virtual Reality Immersion Therapy

Virtual Reality (VR) Immersion combined with ketamine infusion is an emerging approach in mental health treatment that leverages the unique properties of both technologies to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This combination aims to optimize the psychological environment during ketamine administration, potentially increasing its efficacy and improving patient experience.

Benefits of Combining VR Immersion with Ketamine:

Enhanced Relaxation and Comfort: VR can transport patients to calming, immersive environments during ketamine treatment, reducing anxiety and enhancing the sense of safety and relaxation.
Increased Treatment Efficacy: By controlling the sensory inputs and creating a conducive therapeutic setting, VR may enhance the neuroplastic effects of ketamine, allowing for deeper psychological insights and cognitive restructuring.
Distraction from Side Effects: VR helps divert attention away from potential discomforts associated with ketamine infusions, such as nausea or dissociation, improving patient tolerance and comfort.
Personalized Therapeutic Experiences: VR environments can be tailored to individual preferences and therapeutic needs, providing personalized settings that are most likely to resonate and assist the patient’s recovery process.
Augmented Reality for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: When combined with cognitive behavioral strategies, VR can offer scenario-based simulations that help patients practice coping skills in a controlled, yet realistic setting.

Ketamine VR

What to Expect

What to Expect The patient rests in a quiet, comfortable environment and watches a relaxing 60-minute VR visualization while the ketamine is administered via IV. Safety Ketamine has been used safely for over 40 years, is FDA-indicated, and has been gaining attention with major institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Time Magazine thanks to intriguing new studies. Efficacy In one study, three-quarters of patients experiencing suicidal ideation reported losing these dangerous thoughts after just one treatment, while two-thirds of patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder were restored to a pre-depressive state after a full course of treatments. Side Effects Side effects are rare, generally mild, and easily preventable with premedication during the infusion. Occasionally, nausea, headaches, and mild dreams may occur, all of which are easily treated. Research on VR and Ketamine While research on the combined use of VR and ketamine is still emerging, initial studies and theoretical models suggest several potential benefits: Enhanced Neuroplasticity: Studies suggest that immersive VR can affect the brain’s plasticity similarly to ketamine. Combining both may amplify these effects, making the brain more amenable to reorganization and positive change. Reduced Anxiety and Pain Perception: Research indicates that VR can significantly reduce anxiety and pain perception in medical procedures. When applied during ketamine infusions, it might reduce the stress and discomfort associated with the treatment, thus enhancing patient experience and possibly potentiating ketamine’s effects (Garrett et al., 2018). Improved Treatment Outcomes: A pilot study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that the addition of tailored VR experiences during ketamine therapy could lead to better outcomes in treating mood disorders, by providing more profound relaxation and engagement during treatment (Reiner et al., 2020).

Transformation Coaching

Transformation Coaching is a process that focuses on helping individuals create deep and lasting changes in their lives by shifting their mindset, emotional state, and habits. The goal is to enable people to break free from old patterns, overcome limiting beliefs, and unlock their full potential. This type of coaching helps clients become more self-aware, embrace personal growth, and live a life aligned with their true values and goals.

MAP (Make Anything Possible) Method Coaching is a specific transformational coaching technique based on subconscious reprogramming. The MAP Method is designed to target and dissolve limiting beliefs, trauma, stress, or emotional blocks stored in the subconscious mind. It uses guided visualization, specific prompts, and neuro-linguistic techniques to engage the brain’s neuroplasticity, helping individuals retrain their subconscious reactions and thought patterns. The MAP Method offers rapid emotional relief and mindset shifts, empowering individuals to overcome deep-rooted challenges more easily.

Together, Transformation and MAP Method Coaching provide a structured approach to personal transformation by working on both the conscious and subconscious levels. The goal is to address not only the surface-level symptoms but also the underlying causes of emotional or behavioral issues.

Benefits of Coaching:

Enhanced Sense of Community and Support: Group coaching with ketamine therapy fosters a supportive community, reducing isolation and reinforcing positive changes through shared experiences.
Increased Motivation and Engagement: The rapid symptom relief from ketamine increases motivation, enabling participants to engage more actively in group discussions and personal growth activities.
Holistic Approach to Wellness: This integrative approach treats both the biochemical and psychosocial aspects of mental health, providing a well-rounded path to sustainable wellness.
Opportunities for Skill Development: Participants gain practical tools for stress management, communication, and relationship improvement, enhancing their overall quality of life.
Safety and Structure: A structured program ensures a safe environment for deep exploration, with professional guidance fostering emotional growth and security.