Ketamine Treatment for PTSD in Los Angeles and West Hollywood
Ketamine treatment for PTSD is becoming more widely available as research proves Ketamine’s safety and efficacy. As Ketamine continues to be studied and utilized, men and women now have new hope in treating debilitating mental illnesses they suffer. In addition, research shows that Ketamine can help enable the brain to reconsolidate memories and release trauma involved in PTSD. Studies are showing Ketamine to work differently than traditional methods; Ketamine is fast-acting with near-instantaneous results. Ketamine targets the brain functions involved in memory- thus enabling the mind to heal itself better. In many cases, Ketamine rapidly improves symptoms of PTSD after only one infusion.
If you struggle to find relief from PTSD, Ketamine may be the answer for you. Ketamine Therapy LA is the leading provider of Ketamine treatments in Los Angeles and West Hollywood. Schedule a FREE consultation with us today to learn more about Ketamine for PTSD. Call Ketamine Therapy LA at 323-650-9883, and we can help you decide if Ketamine treatment is right for you.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can impact a person’s behaviors and quality of life. Usually, PTSD occurs after a traumatic or terrifying event. PTSD can make it difficult or impossible to function normally in society.
People with this condition may experience mood swings, sleep loss, and crippling anxiety. Depending on the severity of the condition, those with it may be unable to hold a job or maintain close relationships. Ketamine treatment for PTSD may be an effective solution for some people.
Things That Can Cause PTSD
Not all traumatic events lead to PTSD in those who experience them. Additionally, events that may not seem traumatic to one person could cause PTSD in another person. Common examples of events that can cause PTSD include:
- Serious traffic collisions
- Sexual assault
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse
- The loss of a loved one
- Warfare
- Near-death experiences
- Threats to life or safety
An estimated 6.8% of adults in the U.S. have or will have PTSD at some point in their lives. But this life-altering condition isn’t limited to adults. Children can develop it, too. The estimated prevalence of PTSD in adolescents is 5%. Ketamine treatment for PTSD can provide near-immediate relief from most PTSD symptoms.
How PTSD Affects the Brain
Many people wonder why they can’t seem to “return to normal” after experiencing a traumatic event. What they don’t realize is that such events can alter the human brain. To understand how traumatic events impact the brain, you first need to understand the three main parts of the brain:
- Neomammalian brain: This is the complex decision-making part of the brain. It’s responsible for memory, problem-solving, and learning.
- Mammalian brain: This part of the brain contains your limbic system, which helps you process fear, joy, and other emotions. It also regulates reproduction and attachment.
- Reptilian brain: This is the least complex part of the three main brain parts. It manages the body’s autonomic processes and survival instincts.
These brain parts vary in complexity and function. In times of trauma, the brain shuts down the parasympathetic system. It does this so it can focus on the essential, “lower” brain systems. It activates the survival mode response by sending the sympathetic nervous system into overdrive. Once the trauma is over, the brain should reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system. As it does, the affected person should begin to relax and process what just occurred.
But sometimes, the brain fails to make this important switch. Instead, it constantly remains in survival mode. As you can imagine, this makes it nearly impossible for the affected person to relax. This heightened state of constant stress is one of the hallmarks of PTSD. Ketamine treatment for PTSD can help by enabling the brain to let go of trauma and its effects.
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy for PTSD
- Fast-acting treatment
- PTSD symptom reduction within 24 hours
- Rewire the brain
- Release trauma
- Improve mental wellness
The History of Ketamine
The FDA first approved Ketamine in 1970 as an anesthetic, and before that, it was used on the battlefields. Though Ketamine was also abused widely on the streets as a drug known as ‘special K’ for years, professionals are now more commonly used in safe and effective ways. Ketamine is very popular as an anesthetic because it does not affect a person’s breathing. It is used in some ER situations and also utilized in veterinary medicine as an animal tranquilizer. In addition, medical study and research show that Ketamine administered in lower doses than required for anesthesia can be effective as a mental health treatment.
Studies on Ketamine Treatment for PTSD
Ketamine treatment for PTSD is being offered more widely as research shows that Ketamine is astoundingly effective and fast-acting. Traditional medications and treatments typically need to be taken regularly to alleviate symptoms. Ketamine therapy works much faster. In addition, Ketamine can provide relief after only a single infusion.
In a clinical trial completed by the Icahn School of Medicine in collaboration with the United States Department of Defense, Ketamine treatment for PTSD was tested. 40 patients with PTSD were tested, all with varying trauma histories, including combat-related trauma. The trial’s objective was to test the safety and effectiveness of Ketamine for PTSD after one infusion. In addition, midazolam (a benzodiazepine), another anesthetic drug used in anxiety treatments, was also tested in this trial compared to Ketamine. Compared to midazolam, results for Ketamine show PTSD symptoms significantly and rapidly reduced within 24 hours. The trial also showed Ketamine to reduce depressive symptoms.
Dr. Prakash Masand, MD, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Centers of Psychiatric Excellence (COPE), supports Ketamine to treat PTSD and other anxiety disorders. He states, “30-40 percent of PTSD is treatment-resistant to commonly used treatments and need innovative treatments. An innovative treatment for PTSD cases that don’t respond well to traditional treatments is Ketamine IV infusions. The benefits of Ketamine are substantial and obtained within just one day of treatment.” He also went on to say that “Ketamine has been studied and shown [to be] effective with an array of anxiety disorders, including SAD, general anxiety disorder (GAD), and PTSD.”
Treating PTSD with Ketamine in Los Angeles
Ketamine for PTSD is very exciting because it is so different from other options. PTSD is a debilitating anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive memory triggering a re-experience of a traumatic event. Other symptoms include avoidance of situations and stimuli that could be reminders of a traumatic event, feeling easily startled or jumpy, flashbacks, and nightmares. In addition, many patients with PTSD have accompanying depression and may have notable memory impairment. Traditional medications require rigorous use with spotty results, whereas Ketamine rapidly reduces symptoms and has dramatic positive effects right at the first infusion.
Ketamine Treatment Applications
Here at Ketamine Therapy LA, we utilize the benefits of Ketamine for the treatment of many disorders and mental illnesses including:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Treatment-Resistant Depression
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- Suicidal Ideation
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
What to Expect During Ketamine Treatments in LA
Ketamine treatments for PTSD are administered intravenously over 40 – 60 minutes. These infusion sessions are closely monitored and occur in a controlled, comfortable setting. Patients can speak and maintain consciousness throughout the treatment time but may experience an altered state of mind. Therefore, a series of 10 infusions are typically prescribed for an entire course.
The cost of Ketamine for PTSD will vary from patient to patient. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of Ketamine. Contact Ketamine Therapy LA directly to know what the cost of this treatment will be for you. A board-certified anesthesiologist administers infusions. As Ketamine is becoming more widely offered in clinics across the nation, it is important to note that this particular medication is most familiar to and utilized by anesthesiologists.
Ketamine Cost in Los Angeles and West Hollywood
As Ketamine is such a versatile treatment, the cost of Ketamine varies per patient. Unfortunately, Ketamine for PTSD is not covered by most insurance companies. The best way to discover how much Ketamine treatment will be for you is to schedule a complimentary consultation. During this meeting, you will meet with a Ketamine for PTSD expert and discuss all aspects of the treatment. If Ketamine is right for you, Ketamine Therapy LA creates a personalized treatment plan that suits your therapy needs and budget.
Ketamine Risks and Side Effects*
Dr. Masand of COPE states that “most [ketamine] side effects are mild and transient” and that “patients must be monitored because of potential increases in blood pressure and pulse.” Studies show that, while administered at lower doses- Ketamine provides mild, stimulating effects. Ketamine continues to be studied by scientists across the nation. These studies bring more benefits and side effects this treatment can have on a patient.
Some side effects and risks associated with Ketamine treatments include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- The dissociation/ out-of-body experience may be annoying to some
- Cystitis and lower urinary tract pathologies (with long-term use at high doses)
- Hallucinations and distortions of time and space
- Pronounced and persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms may occur, so using other mood-altering drugs (such as alcohol, opioids, cannabis, and more) may not be safe
- Severe, schizophrenia-like perceptions and symptoms may be experienced at higher doses
- Potential increase in blood pressure and pulse
To avoid dangers to your health and mental well-being, choose a very knowledgeable provider in Ketamine. Providers that are aware of the risks and side effects will be able to offer safer, more effective treatments. As always, individual experiences will be different.*
Why Choose Ketamine Therapy LA for your Ketamine Infusions
Ketamine treatment for PTSD is offered at Ketamine Therapy LA for those seeking healing and relief not found in traditional ways. Dr. Sirak, MD, a board-certified anesthesiologist, and master injector, is the Ketamine provider at Ketamine Therapy LA. Within the framework of his career as an anesthesiologist, he has been administering Ketamine since 2008. At Ketamine Therapy LA, patients have a pre-infusion interview and a post-infusion debriefing- you will receive the highest standard of care from the very beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine Treatment for PTSD
How Does Ketamine Work for PTSD?
Ketamine targets the source of PTSD instead of merely dulling symptoms. Ketamine targets the mind. Research shows that Ketamine promotes the production of glutamate. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in brain function. Studies show that as Ketamine boosts neurotransmission in the brain, this may cause antidepressant effects.
Chief psychiatrist of Yale Medicine, Dr. John Krystal, comments on the effects Ketamine has on the brain, saying, “when you take Ketamine, it triggers reactions in your cortex that enable brain connections to regrow. So it’s the reaction to Ketamine, not the presence of Ketamine in that body that constitutes its effects.”
How Can I Know if Ketamine Therapy for PTSD Is Right for Me?
If you can’t seem to find relief from PTSD symptoms, ketamine therapy may be a good solution. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you’re a good candidate.
Can I Take Ketamine Along With Other Medications?
There are some medications that may decrease the efficacy of ketamine infusions. They include memantine and other drugs that impact NMDA receptors, anticonvulsant medications, and benzodiazepines.
Ketamine Therapy in West Hollywood and LA
If you suffer from debilitating symptoms of PTSD, Ketamine treatment may be the answer to your struggles. Dedicated to providing profound healing and lasting results, men and women in Los Angeles and West Hollywood choose Ketamine Therapy LA for Ketamine treatments. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about Ketamine for PTSD and determine if it’s right for you. Call 323-650-9883 or fill out the online form below to get started.