Why Ketamine Therapy?
Researchers at the top scientific institutions and universities have described ketamine treatments as the most important breakthrough in the last fifty years.
Caire combines ketamine with integrative treatments to get the best results possible to treat your mental health concerns.
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New peer-reviewed studies are showing ketamine to be over 80% effective in treating depression and anxiety.
This research has been growing over the last 20 years.
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Ketamine has been used as an FDA approved anesthetic since 1970. This makes it both incredibly well tested and the only federally legal psychedelic medicine so far. It’s safe, fast and effective in setting up your brain to make changes in your thoughts, habits and even how your brain interprets, experiences and reacts to pain, stress and sadness.
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The most incredible thing about ketamine is how fast it works. In as little as two hours after a treatment, scans have shown neurons growing. This growth is a physical sign of improving mental functioning. Meanwhile, traditional psychiatric medications can take months to take effect.
Marissa N., one of our patients.
What does it feel like?
“Like a Vacation”:
Before your treatment we make sure you’re comfortable - a cozy blanket, an eye mask if you like, and we pick a custom playlist that serves as a guide during the session. “The experience itself feels like a vacation, calm, comfortable, away from nagging everyday worries, a place where you can explore and learn something new about myself,” is how Marissa, one of our patients, describes it.
“Comfortable”:
The physical sensations can feel warm, relaxed, and buoyant or floating. If a patient comes in experiencing pain or tension, they are relieved by the treatment. Some clients describe feeling like they are in a pleasant dream, but are still present and awake.
“Insightful”:
Many different feelings may come up during a session. They tend to be a combination of insightful and warm. Feelings of inspiration, new perspectives and life meaning come up. Likewise, feelings of happiness, connection, gratitude and love are common.
For some this is mostly an internal experience, and for others, they prefer to talk with their therapist during the session. We take notes, so you won’t forget any insights that come up, and we will review them with you later. These notes can work as great tools outside of the clinic for weeks and even months after your visit. Typical sessions leave clients feeling calm and happy the rest of the day.
How Ketamine Works?
“When our brains are more connected, we feel more connected!”
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Ketamine helps the brain connect and work more efficiently.
Trauma, stress, anxiety and depression decrease the connections between neurons in the brain. Ketamine does the opposite by increasing neuronal growth, called synaptogenesis. Like a tree growing a more vast, connected and healthy root system, the same thing happens for neurons in the brain.
The result is an improved mood, more calm, and feeling happier.
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Functionally, ketamine stimulates certain receptor sites in the brain, particularly the NMDA receptors.
This results in increased neuroplasticity - a brain state that increases our ability to think more broadly, accept new insights, and change our perspectives, habits and feelings.
This lays the groundwork for increasing the effectiveness of therapy and our ability to deal with our trauma and struggles, and disconnect from old patterns of thinking, while finding meaning, purpose and compassion for ourselves and those around us.
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Ketamine has been safely used all over the world since 1970. Still, patients with the following conditions should may not be a good fit for ketamine treatment:
Allergic to ketamine
Symptoms of psychosis or mania
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
CHF or another serious heart problem
Severe breathing problem
History of elevated intraocular or intracranial pressure
History of hyperthyroidism
Other serious medical illness
Pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant
How is Ketamine administered?
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We administer ketamine either by IV or an intramuscular injection based on what we determine will be best for your needs. This approach lets us make adjustments to your treatment in a very precise and personalized way, optimizing the outcomes of your sessions.
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More importantly, you will be supported the whole time you are with us, a nurse or therapist will always be by your side. There is no substitute for having an experienced and caring professional helping guide your sessions.