Spravato & Ketamine Therapy in Atlanta
Ketamine therapy in Atlanta can be effective treatments to include as part of your overall mental health disorder treatment plan. At Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry, we currently offer Spravato Treatment as our form of ketamine therapy to effectively treat chronic pain conditions and a variety of mental health disorders.
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy, also known as ketamine treatment or ketamine infusion therapy, is a therapeutic practice that involves the administration of the drug ketamine to treat various conditions, most commonly severe or treatment-resistant depression, but also other mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, and certain chronic pain conditions.
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that has been used in medicine for over 50 years. More recently, it’s been found to have rapid-acting antidepressant effects at subanesthetic doses, and its use in psychiatric treatment has been growing. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which typically take weeks to start working, ketamine can often start to alleviate symptoms of depression within hours or a few days of administration.
How Does Our Ketamine Therapy in Atlanta Work?
At Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry, we utilize Spravato, or esketamine for our ketamine therapy services. Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a medication developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine, meaning it is one of the two mirror image forms of the molecule. Both ketamine and esketamine are used in anesthesia, and they’ve also been found to have rapid-acting antidepressant effects.
Like ketamine, esketamine works by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain. The exact mechanism of how this alleviates depression isn’t fully understood, but here’s what is generally believed:
Increased Glutamate Release: By blocking NMDA receptors, esketamine results in an increase in the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.
Synaptic Plasticity Improvement: The glutamate binds to another type of receptor, the AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor, initiating a cascade of events that increases the expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the survival of existing neurons and encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. This improved synaptic plasticity can improve mood and cognitive function.
Rapid-Acting Antidepressant Effects: Unlike most other antidepressants, which can take weeks to start working, esketamine can often start to alleviate symptoms of depression within hours or a few days of administration.
What is a Ketamine Therapy Session LIke?
Spravato is administered as a nasal spray in a doctor’s office or a medical clinic, and patients are monitored for at least two hours after receiving the dose due to the risk of serious side effects, including sedation and dissociation. Treatment usually begins with two doses per week, and depending on the patient’s response and tolerance, it can be decreased to one dose per week and eventually one dose every two weeks or once per month.
When a client comes in to conduct their first session, here’s what they can generally expect:
- Before Treatment: Before starting Spravato, a healthcare provider will review the patient’s medical history and current medications. The risks, benefits, and potential side effects of the treatment will be discussed
- During Treatment: The patient self-administers Spravato under the supervision of a healthcare provider. This involves spraying the medication into the nose. Patients are instructed to not eat for at least 2 hours before taking Spravato and to not drink liquids for at least 30 minutes before.
Monitoring: After administration, patients are monitored by our staff for at least two hours. This is because Spravato can cause serious side effects such as sedation and disconnection from reality (dissociation). Patients’ blood pressure is usually checked before, during, and after each treatment session due to the risk of sudden increases.
Post Treatment: Patients should not drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful sleep. Our staff will decide when the patient is ready to leave the office or clinic.
Ketamine therapy for depression is the most popular form of treatment, but can also treat other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder. It may also be used to treat the following conditions:
- Substance Use Disorder
- Certain Neurological Conditions
- Acute Suicidality
- Fibromyalgia
- Spinal Injury
- Phantom Limb Pain
- Neuralgia
Ketamine therapy in Atlanta is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, such as heart or lung diseases. It should not be used in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines. People with a history of psychosis or suicidal thoughts may also not be good candidates for ketamine therapy. Therefore, it is important to talk to a doctor before beginning ketamine therapy to make sure it is safe and appropriate for you.
Ketamine therapy is generally considered safe when administered correctly and in a clinical setting. It is essential to follow all doctor instructions and discuss any potential risks or side effects with the doctor before beginning treatment. Ketamine can be addictive, so it is important to use it only under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.
Ketamine therapy can have some side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and hallucinations. It may also increase heart rate and blood pressure. A doctor should monitor these side effects, and it is important to talk to your doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
If you are interested in learning more about ketamine therapy, several reputable research resources are available. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published several studies on the effects of ketamine in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders:
- Brief Cognitive Training May Extend the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine
- How Ketamine Relieves Symptoms of Depression
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is also a good source of information on the potential short- and long-term effects of ketamine, including:
- Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review
- Ketamine for the Treatment of Addiction: Evidence and Potential Mechanisms
Additionally, the American Society of Anesthesiologists has published guidelines for the safe administration of ketamine, as follows:
Insurance coverage of ketamine therapy in Atlanta varies depending on the provider and the policy. Therefore, checking with your insurance provider to see if coverage is available for your treatment is important. Some insurers may also require pre-authorization for the treatment before it is covered.
How Do I Know I'm A Good Fit For Ketamine Therapy in Atlanta?
Ketamine is considered for clients who have not had sufficient relief from other treatments for depression or treatment-resistant depression. However, certain factors may make you a more or less suitable candidate for ketamine therapy. In general, here is how you know you may be a good fit for Ketamine therapy:
1. Diagnosis: Ketamine therapy is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and bipolar depression, particularly in patients who haven’t responded to other treatments. It’s also being studied and used off-label for other mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe anxiety, as well as for certain chronic pain conditions.
2. Previous Treatments: If you’ve tried multiple standard antidepressants and psychotherapy without sufficient improvement, you might consider ketamine as a next step. Usually, you’re expected to have tried and not fully responded to at least two different antidepressants in your current depressive episode before you’d be considered treatment-resistant.
3. Physical Health: Since ketamine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, it might not be suitable for people with certain heart conditions. Before you begin treatment, our staff will evaluate your overall physical health and review any other medications you’re taking.
4. Psychiatric History: Ketamine can cause hallucinations and other changes in perception, so it may not be recommended for people with a history of psychosis or certain other mental health conditions.
5. Ability to Tolerate Potential Side Effects: Side effects can include nausea, increase in blood pressure and heart rate, disorientation, or vivid dreams. These side effects are usually temporary and subside after the treatment has been completed.
6. Patient Expectations: Ketamine is not a cure for depression, but it can potentially provide temporary relief from symptoms. It’s important that patients have realistic expectations about what the treatment can and cannot do.
Start Ketamine Therapy in Atlanta Today!
Our expert team at Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry offers Ketamine Therapy and Spravato treatment, a groundbreaking treatment shown to alleviate symptoms for many individuals where traditional medications have fallen short. This could be the turning point in your journey towards mental wellness.
Don’t let despair hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards relief and rejuvenation today. Contact our compassionate, expert team to discuss if Ketamine Therapy in Atlanta could be the right choice for you. Together, let’s redefine your path to healing and reclaim your life. Call us now at (404) 996-0037 or schedule an appointment today!
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry is an Industry leader in mental health treatment . Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treat and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual.
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Sources:
Brief Cognitive Training May Extend the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine. (2023).
Cohen SP, Bhatia A, Buvanendran A, Schwenk ES, Wasan AD, Hurley RW, Viscusi ER, Narouze S, Davis FN, Ritchie EC, Lubenow TR, Hooten WM. (2018). Consensus Guidelines on the Use of Intravenous Ketamine Infusions for Chronic Pain From the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
How Ketamine Relieves Symptoms of Depression. (2019).
Ivan Ezquerra-Romano I, Lawn W, Krupitsky E, Morgan CJA. (2018). Ketamine for the Treatment of Addiction: Evidence and Potential Mechanisms
Jones JL, Mateus CF, Malcolm RJ, Brady KT, Back SE. (2018). Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.
