Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

In-person sessions in Denver, Colorado

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is an innovative approach to mental health treatment that combines the administration of ketamine with psychotherapy.

This method has shown promising results in treating various mental health conditions, offering a new hope for those who have not responded well to traditional treatments or feel stuck.

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine, traditionally an anesthetic, is now being utilized in mental health treatment, leveraging its ability to induce altered states of consciousness. This altered consciousness, in combination with therapy, helps individuals access deeper layers of their psyche and/or deeper self, true self. As author Michael Pollan describes in his exploration of psychedelics: “Psychedelics open a window on the workings of the mind, helping us see patterns and habits that often remain unconscious.” Ketamine functions similarly, helping individuals confront mental health challenges in a novel way.

Benefits of Ketamine-Assisted Pyschotherapy

1

Rapid Relief from Symptoms

Ketamine’s effects are fast-acting, providing relief within hours or days—a key benefit over traditional treatments. Patients often describe it as a shift in perspective, allowing them to step outside their usual mental patterns. “A psychedelic experience is a reminder of the incredible flexibility of the mind,” said Michael Pollan, which holds true for the effects of ketamine in therapeutic settings.

2

Effective for Treatment-Resistant Conditions

For those who have tried multiple therapies without success, ketamine-assisted therapy can be transformative. The shifts in consciousness and the enhanced self-reflection it enables can provide breakthroughs where other methods have failed. As Aldous Huxley noted, psychedelics “provide doors in the wall,” and ketamine may provide that door for those facing mental health struggles.

3

Enhanced Neuroplasticity

Ketamine's impact on neuroplasticity opens up new pathways for healing. “The brain is capable of extraordinary changes,” Michael Pollan observes, emphasizing how psychedelics can help rewire mental patterns, leading to lasting positive changes in mood and cognition.

4

Improved Mood and Emotional Regulation

As with other psychedelics, ketamine can induce a sense of well-being and emotional release. Many patients report feeling lighter and more grounded after their sessions, with a newfound ability to manage their emotions. This is similar to how people describe the aftermath of psychedelic experiences, often reflecting on the “profound sense of interconnectedness” felt during the session.

5

Reduction in Suicidal Ideation

The immediate reduction in suicidal thoughts is one of the most remarkable outcomes of ketamine-assisted therapy. This mirrors findings in psychedelic studies where participants describe a feeling of hope or emotional reset.

6

Complementary to Other Therapies

The use of ketamine does not replace other forms of therapy but enhances them. As Timothy Leary once said, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” Ketamine-assisted therapy helps patients tap into that potential, using the altered states of consciousness to complement ongoing therapeutic work.

Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Right for You?

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health challenges that have not responded to traditional treatments, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be an option worth exploring to determine if this innovative approach is suitable for your needs.

Session Details

  • Initial consultation session: In-depth consultation to determine if KAP is suitable for you

  • Preparation sessions: Individualized preparation to discuss the process and client intentions for medicine session

  • Connection and evaluation with a KAP prescriber

  • Medicine session: Client will bring the medicine to the session, lasting approximately 2 hours

  • Therapeutic Integration: Directly following the ketamine session, or within a couple days of the session

  • Ongoing support, possibly additional ketamine and integration sessions

The Science Behind Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

The Basics

Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic medication that has gained attention for its potential therapeutic effects in the field of mental health. Originally developed in the 1960s for use as a surgical anesthetic, ketamine has since been recognized for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties and is now being explored for various psychiatric indications.

Mechanism of Action:

Ketamine works by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain, which leads to a cascade of neurochemical changes that are believed to contribute to its antidepressant effects. Additionally, ketamine may promote the release of neurotransmitters like glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), affecting mood regulation and neural plasticity.

Ketamine's ability to influence the glutamate system (the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter) contributes to its rapid effects. By blocking NMDA receptors and triggering a cascade of events that release BDNF, ketamine enhances synaptic growth and plasticity, critical for recovery from mood and anxiety disorders

  • Ketamine, known for its dissociative and introspective properties, has garnered attention for its potential to facilitate profound psychological insights and emotional exploration in therapeutic settings. By providing a unique pathway to accessing deeper layers of the psyche, ketamine-assisted therapy offers a transformative approach that complements traditional talk therapy methods, allowing individuals to explore unresolved issues, traumatic memories, and subconscious material in novel and impactful ways.

    Enhanced Access to the Unconscious:
    Ketamine's ability to induce altered states of consciousness can help individuals bypass cognitive defenses and access the unconscious mind more directly. This can unveil buried emotions, memories, and beliefs that may be challenging to reach through conventional talk therapy alone.

    Facilitating Emotional Processing:
    The dissociative effects of ketamine can create a sense of detachment from everyday reality, allowing individuals to explore and process emotionally charged material with increased clarity and objectivity. This detachment can promote a deeper understanding of one's inner experiences and foster emotional healing and integration.

    Heightened Introspection and Insight:
    Under the influence of ketamine, individuals may experience heightened introspection, introspective thoughts, and profound insights into their psyche, motivations, and patterns of behavior. This expanded awareness can facilitate self-discovery, personal growth, and the development of new perspectives on one's life circumstances.

    Integration with Talk Therapy:
    When integrated with traditional talk therapy approaches, ketamine-assisted therapy can enhance the therapeutic process by combining the insights gained during ketamine sessions with ongoing psychotherapeutic work. This integration allows individuals to translate their ketamine experiences into meaningful insights and behavioral changes in their daily lives.

    Potential Benefits:

    • Breakthrough Moments: Ketamine-assisted therapy can lead to breakthrough moments in therapy, where individuals gain new perspectives, release emotional burdens, and catalyze personal transformation.

    • Healing Trauma: Ketamine's capacity to deepen emotional processing may support individuals in confronting and healing past traumas, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

    • Enhanced Self-Awareness: By delving into deeper layers of the psyche, individuals can cultivate greater self-awareness, understanding, and compassion towards themselves and others.

    In essence, ketamine-assisted therapy offers a unique and profound avenue for exploring the depths of the psyche, promoting healing, growth, and self-discovery in ways that may have been inaccessible through traditional talk therapy alone.

  • 1. Enhancing Neuroplasticity

    Ketamine has been shown to significantly increase levels of BDNF, a protein that supports the growth, survival, and differentiation of neurons. This boost in BDNF plays a critical role in neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. Enhanced neuroplasticity can help in recovering from mood disorders, PTSD, and depression by "rewiring" maladaptive brain patterns.

    • Synapse Growth: By enhancing neuroplasticity, ketamine promotes the regrowth of synapses (connections between neurons) that may have been damaged or reduced due to chronic stress, depression, or anxiety.

    2. Rapid Antidepressant Effects

    Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to show effects, ketamine has rapid-acting properties, sometimes relieving symptoms of depression within hours after administration. This rapid response is especially beneficial for those with treatment-resistant depression or suicidal ideation.

    3. Reduction of Suicidal Ideation

    Studies have shown that ketamine can quickly reduce suicidal thoughts, even in individuals for whom traditional medications have not been effective. This makes it a valuable tool for crisis intervention.

    4. Treatment-Resistant Depression

    Ketamine has proven effective for people who have not responded to other forms of treatment, such as SSRIs or other antidepressants. It offers a new avenue of hope for those with treatment-resistant conditions.

    5. Alleviation of PTSD Symptoms

    For individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ketamine therapy can help by reducing hyper-arousal and intrusive thoughts, often leading to significant improvements in daily functioning.

    6. Anxiolytic (Anti-Anxiety) Effects

    Ketamine has also been found to reduce anxiety symptoms, particularly in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety. It can provide relief by modulating the glutamate system and promoting a sense of calm.

    7. Pain Management

    Ketamine is used in chronic pain management, particularly for neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Its NMDA receptor antagonism modulates pain perception, offering relief to patients suffering from these conditions.

    8. Long-Term Cognitive Benefits

    By fostering neuroplasticity, ketamine may help with cognitive improvement and memory formation, particularly for individuals whose cognitive function has been impaired by depression or anxiety.

    Overall, ketamine therapy offers a multifaceted approach to mental health, working not just symptomatically but also helping the brain to heal and adapt through enhanced neuroplasticity.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy represents a breakthrough in mental health treatment, offering rapid relief and hope for those battling severe and treatment-resistant conditions. With its growing body of supportive research and positive client outcomes, it is becoming an increasingly recognized and valuable tool in the field of mental health care.

Contraindications & Cautions

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has shown promise in treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and chronic pain. However, there are several contraindications to consider before proceeding with ketamine therapy. These contraindications may be absolute (meaning ketamine should not be used under any circumstances) or relative (requiring careful consideration and medical supervision). Some key contraindications include:

  • 1. Uncontrolled hypertension: Ketamine can increase blood pressure, so it is not recommended for individuals with uncontrolled high blood pressure.

    2. Severe cardiovascular disease: Ketamine’s effects on the cardiovascular system (elevated heart rate and blood pressure) pose risks for individuals with severe heart disease or recent heart attacks.

    3. History of psychosis: Ketamine may exacerbate symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other forms of psychosis.

    4. Glaucoma: Since ketamine may raise intraocular pressure, it is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma.

    5. Allergy or hypersensitivity to ketamine: Individuals with a known allergy to ketamine should not undergo ketamine therapy.

  • 1. History of substance abuse: Though ketamine has a low potential for addiction, it can be problematic in individuals with a history of substance use disorders, particularly those involving dissociative drugs or hallucinogens.

    2. Moderate-to-severe liver disease: Ketamine is metabolized by the liver, and patients with liver disease may have difficulty processing the drug.

    3. Respiratory issues: Though rare, ketamine can suppress breathing, particularly at high doses, so individuals with respiratory conditions should be carefully monitored.

    4. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The safety of ketamine in pregnant or breastfeeding women has not been established, and it is generally not recommended.

    5. Active mania: Ketamine may exacerbate manic symptoms, so caution is warranted in individuals with bipolar disorder experiencing a manic episode.

    6. Epilepsy: Though rare, ketamine may lower the seizure threshold in some patients, so individuals with a history of seizures should be closely monitored.

Before initiating ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, a thorough medical evaluation is essential to assess any potential risks based on these and other factors.

Are you ready to explore whether this therapeutic modality is a good fit for you?