Ketamine is a medication, developed in 1962 as a dissociative anesthetic, that creates a feeling of disconnection from one’s self and reality. It has been widely used as an anesthetic in emergency medicine, veterinary medicine, and in operating rooms and wound clinics around the world on a daily basis. It is often used for the most vulnerable patients, including children and the elderly, because of its safety profile. Based on research studies, Ketamine has been increasingly used since the early 2000s for the treatment of mental illness and chronic pain.

Significant research and clinical results show that ketamine may be effective for: Depression Suicidal/self harm ideation PTSD Anxiety disorders Bipolar disorder Drug rehabilitation Neuropathic pain CRPS or RSD Cancer pain syndromes Phantom limb pain Some research and clinical results show that ketamine may even be effective for: Fibromyalgia Trigeminal neuralgia OCD Post-herpetic neuralgia Diabetic neuropathy Central pain syndromes related to stroke or trauma Chronic migraine headaches

Off-label means the drug has been approved by the FDA for safety, but not specifically for the conditions in which the medication is being used. The use of Ketamine for the treatment of mental illness and chronic pain is considered off-label drug use. Many drugs are routinely used off-label – it is entirely legal when prescribed by a doctor and extremely common.

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that has been used extensively for anesthesia since the 1960s. It has a long track record of safety and has been used in millions of patients for decades. Ketamine and adjunct medicines used at Las Vegas Ketamine are all considered extremely safe when administered by trained professionals. However, like all medicines, they have the possibility of side effects including: nausea, hallucinations, anxiety, elevated blood pressures, elevated heart rate, and cardiac arrhythmias. Las Vegas Ketamine is prepared and trained to treat each of these extremely rare side effects. Ketamine is the anesthesia of choice in emergency rooms worldwide because, unlike other anesthetics, it does not decrease the respiratory drive.

The very rare side effects that we see from low-dose ketamine treatments resolve shortly after the infusion is complete. The side effects include nausea, increased anxiety, and blood pressure changes. Each side effect is specifically treated by a board-certified anesthesiologist and noted in the patients medical chart.

We do not accept insurance because insurance companies have denied coverage of the treatment. Insurance companies claim that Ketamine treatments are experimental and that they are not required to pay for them despite the large amount of research and demonstrated efficacy in clinical use by medical professionals.

A treatment introduces a small dose of Ketamine that increases glutamate, a neurotransmitter and chemical messenger, which stimulates alternate neurons to build new reaction pathways in the brain. This process, called synaptogenesis, has a positive effect on mood, thoughts, and cognition. The treatments build upon each other to create a healthier brain network that is able to better process the daily inputs and stimulus of normal life. In short, these new pathways, created through multiple Ketamine treatments, replace the old pathways that contain the problematic issues and become the primary pathways.

IV Infusion therapy means that the medications are administered through an intravenous line (IV) directly into the patient’s bloodstream. An IV Infusion is the most effective administration method because it allows the doctor to manage more precisely how much Ketamine makes it directly to the brain. Many of our patients have tried other forms of Ketamine introduction such as Lozenges, Nasal Sprays (Spravato), and Intramuscular Injections (IM). They come to Las Vegas Ketamine because those methods are still expensive and don't have as high an efficacy rate.

The treatments are administered or directly supervised by our Anesthesiologist who meets with the patient, places the IV, administers the exact infusion dosing, continuously monitors vitals for safety, and releases the patient to leave at the end of the appointment.

Anesthesiologists are the experts in administering anesthetics and are intimately familiar with the usage of ketamine. They are far more comfortable than other specialties at using ketamine in the therapeutic doses and that is what helps us achieve our exceptional success rates. Anesthesiologists are also trained in the handling and treatment of potential emergent situations in the unlikely event that they occur.

For many conditions and with very exceptions, Ketamine is an extremely effective option, often helping when other treatments have been unsuccessful. For depression, including severe and treatment-resistant symptoms, our clinic success rate is above 90% when patients follow the approved and recommended protocol. While the treatments are a positive and pleasant experience, the real benefit comes from the reduction in negative symptoms that occur between the treatments. This reduction usually happens gradually as the treatments build upon each other. The best results come from starting with an induction series (a minimum of 6 treatments spaced 2 times per week for 3 weeks) and then transitioning to maintenance treatments (single treatments initially spaced an average of 3-5 weeks apart) to maintain the effect and keep the positive progress. In most cases, the maintenance treatments will gradually space out over time and will eventually no longer be needed. We highly recommend proceeding through the 6 infusion induction series before making a decision to stop treatment because it takes all 6 treatments to determine if the Ketamine is effective and it can be difficult to notice or acknowledge positive changes after years or decades of severe depression. Patients sometimes come in to "try one" and see how it goes. While we understand the desire to experience a treatment before deciding to continue, a single treatment by itself doesn't indicate how well the Ketamine will work. Some patients experience relief after one infusion, most experience relief after multiple infusions, and it is possible, though rare, for patients to receive infusions without obtaining any relief. Each individual has their own separate diagnosis and the outcome of their infusion treatment plan will vary.

Sometimes the positive effects can be seen after the 1st treatment, but the large majority of patients see marked improvement between the 3rd and 4th infusions. It is important to follow the induction protocol (6 treatments within 3 weeks) because the infusions build upon each other to gain the most efficacy and longevity. Often times it can take the full 6 treatment induction series to recognize the positive results after years or decades of dealing with mood disorders. Friends and family members may notice changes in mood and behavior before the patient.

Following the induction series of 6 treatments, we expect to see the reduction in negative symptoms last from a few weeks to a few months. The specific length of time is different for each person. Maintenance ketamine infusions are required after the induction series. These infusions are single treatments that help to keep the positive effects that were gained during the induction. In most cases, the maintenance treatments will gradually space out over time and will eventually no longer be needed.

Ketamine can work well for neuropathic conditions, even when other treatments do not. In cases where pain is caused by a musculoskeletal injury, ketamine may not be a good treatment option. For instance, ketamine may not be a good treatment option for many instances of back pain caused by active impingement of nerves. In these cases, ketamine infusions may temporarily decrease the pain but the injury may cause the pain to come back quickly. Patients who have neuropathic pain are good candidates for ketamine infusions. Pelvic pain may respond very well to the ketamine, however, it can be difficult to know whether you will respond well, until you try a treatment, especially if the reason for the pain is undiagnosed. All the information that we have from studies and clinical results indicate that ketamine works at the level of neurons – improving their healthy function. If pain is based in the neurons themselves then ketamine can help.

All treatments are directly supervised by a board-certified anesthesiologist. The main cost comes from the time and effort it takes to provide an exceptionally safe and therapeutic environment with the top expert in Ketamine administration. We recognize that moving forward with these treatments represents a commitment of time and money, but the positive and life saving results that we have seen over the years significantly outweighs those commitments. We work hard to keep prices low and accessible to as many people as possible which is why we are able to offer the best-value treatments in Las Vegas.

There is no indication that it is physically addictive. The treatment is often used to help reduce the addictive cravings of other substances.

During the infusion, some patients report changes in their vision, speech, and thought processes. They often describe feelings of dissociation from their body. It can feel like a sedated or dreamlike state. If in the rare case that an unpleasant hallucination or other sensation occurs, we will decrease the infusion rate and/or administer medications to minimize these experiences.

A "bad trip" is very rare, but it can happen. We are equipped to handle these situations with medication and by sitting with the patient to help them feel safe and grounded. Most times the patient can't remember the memory when the Ketamine wears off. Getting those memories out is often the breakthrough that the patient needs and they do very well in the following weeks.

Patients recover from the effects of the infusion within 20-30 minutes. There may be residual cloudiness and mild difficulty walking for a few hours. You may also feel fatigued for the remainder of the day. We recommend the patient have a low impact and relaxing remainder of their day following the infusion. Any lingering effects are completely gone the day following the infusion. Patients are able to resume normal activity.

For mental health and addiction treatments, an induction series of at least 6 infusions, close together, followed by maintenance treatments provides the most effective and longest lasting results. Maintenance treatments typically start at 3 to 5 weeks but vary from patient to patient. For chronic pain treatments, we often see patients for a single 2 or 4 hour infusion. We use this infusion to determine how effective Ketamine will be at reducing pain. Sometimes it can take more than one infusion to get the expected results. The difference between the 2 and 4 hour infusion is how long the pain reduction will last. Most patients can “feel” a drop in their mood or a return of the chronic pain conditions that will help them know when they need to come back for a treatment.

Please don't eat 3-4 hours prior to your appointment time. While nausea is uncommon, this will help to further reduce the chances. You may wear comfortable clothes and we have regular and weighted blankets available for use. The medical staff are highly experienced at starting IVs and use small-gauge needles to increase the comfort. There is an extra chair in the room that family/friends can use when they accompany you for the treatments. It is helpful if they are quiet and keep distractions (phone usage, entering and exiting, talking) to a minimum. It is normal and extremely common to be nervous before the first few infusions. We try our best to make the experience comfortable and the nervous feeling will decrease with each treatment.

Ketamine produces a physical and mental state that makes it unsafe for you to drive for the rest of the day following an infusion. You must have a ride home with family/friend OR you may take an Uber (we monitor you a little extra and make sure you are safe to leave). You may drive to the clinic and leave your car to pick up the next day since our parking lot is lighted and monitored by security. This reduces the Uber cost and has been effective for many.

There is a movement to push the FDA for approval for the treatment of depression. However, without adequate backing, it will be difficult to finance the trials and bureaucratic navigation required to gain FDA approval for treatment of depression and chronic pain.

Patients should continue to take ALL prescribed medications. This includes any mental health medications. If you are using benzodiazepines (e.g. Ativan, Xanax, Valium), contact the office for a doctor consultation on how to get the best Ketamine effect. Patients on MAOi’s should not take ketamine. Sometimes the positive results of Ketamine treatments can allow people to reduce or eliminate medications. Always consult with your prescribing doctor prior to stopping or tapering off any medications