Ketamine’s primary mode of action uses a very different pathway than that of other psychiatric drugs such as the SNRIS, SSRIS, anti-psychotics, benzodiazepines, and other standard medications. Ketamine is categorized as a dissociative anesthetic, which means a sense of disconnection from the usual self and ordinary reality. Most people using the light approved doses will most likely experience mild anesthetic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and, potentially, psychedelic effects. The most effective use appears to be using it in combination with psychotherapy, in a safe, supervised setting, over a period of time, resulting in a cumulative effect which may include a positive change in outlook and character in addition to deepening the therapeutic work that is taking place alongside the ketamine treatments.
At Corner Canyon Health Centers, if a client is clinically and medically approved, we offer a 6 week course of Ketamine shots, administered intramuscularly in a quiet private room and supervised by medical personnel, followed by a therapy session with the primary therapist. Subsequent group and individual therapy sessions throughout the week also capitalize on the increased neuroplasticity of the brain to achieve greater therapeutic gains than possible otherwise.
Our clients have described responses to ketamine like “I felt like I had much more access to my emotions, and a greater ability to remember and process my experiences, in combination with my emotions, and ended up feeling lighter and happier”. Our experience has been that clients typically make faster progress in therapy, and do deeper work than they are capable of prior to beginning Ketamine. We find that it accelerates the therapy process in addition to giving clients relief and hope.
