FAQ

frequently asked questions

Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic and approved by the FDA in 1970, has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential beyond traditional uses. Clinicians are increasingly exploring its application in mental health, particularly for treating mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Unlike conventional antidepressants, which can take weeks to show results, Ketamine often produces rapid effects, making it a promising option for individuals who have not responded to other treatments.

At Kelevate, a ketamine infusion involves the administration of ketamine through an intravenous (IV) line. This method allows for a controlled and gradual introduction of the medication into the bloodstream. In the context of mental health treatment, ketamine infusion has gained attention for its potential rapid antidepressant effects, especially in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. The ketamine infusions at Kelevate are administered in a controlled clinical environment under the supervision of qualified medical professionals.

  1. Patient Evaluation: Before undergoing a ketamine infusion, patients are evaluated by a healthcare provider to assess their medical and mental health history, current symptoms, overall health, and assess any contraindications towards receiving a ketamine infusion.
  2. Intravenous Line Placement: A small needle or catheter is inserted into a vein to establish the intravenous line through which ketamine will be administered.
  3. Infusion: The ketamine solution is then slowly infused into the bloodstream over a predetermined period of time, often ranging from 40 to 60 minutes. The infusion rate is carefully controlled to minimize side effects.
  4. Monitoring: Throughout the infusion, patients are closely monitored for vital signs, medical and/or psychological reactions, and any potential adverse effects. 5. Post-Infusion Monitoring: After the infusion is complete, individuals are monitored for a period of time to ensure their safety and well being. Kelevate Clinics require patients to pre-arrange appropriate transportation home, as they should not drive themselves home.

Ketamine improves a variety of different mental and physical conditions. Some of the conditions include:

  • Anxiety Disorder
  • Depression and Major Depressive Disorder
  • Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Alleviates Symptoms: Ketamine effectively reduces a range of symptoms associated with various mental health conditions.
  • Rapid Results: Many patients experience near-instant relief, often within hours of treatment.
  • Targets Underlying Issues: Ketamine addresses psychological factors contributing to mental health challenges.
  • Promotes Neural Rewiring: It facilitates the brain’s ability to create new connections, supporting lasting change.
  • Reduces Fatigue and Anxiety: Patients often report decreased feelings of fatigue, sadness, and anxiety.
  • Enhances Overall Mental Wellness: Ketamine therapy can lead to significant improvements in overall mental health and well-being.

The effects of a Ketamine treatment typically last for weeks or months. After six treatments, some people can remain symptom-free for several months. Additionally, when combined with ketamine assisted therapy, the beneficial treatment effects of ketamine treatments can be prolonged for longer periods of time. As with any medical treatment, individual experiences will vary.* It is important to speak with a doctor about your expectations to develop a suitable treatment plan yielding optimal results.

 

The duration of ketamine treatment effects for mental health issues can vary among individuals. While some individuals may experience rapid and sustained improvements in symptoms, others may find the effects are more short-lived and require periodic maintenance/booster treatments.

 

It’s important to note that the field of ketamine treatment for mental health is still evolving and research is ongoing to determine the optimal dosage, frequency of treatment and long-term outcomes. The variability in treatment response underscores the need for personalized ongoing care with healthcare providers assessing each individual’s unique circumstances and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.

 

Patients considering or undergoing ketamine treatment should maintain open communication with their healthcare providers, reporting any changes in symptoms and discussing the potential need for additional treatments. Regular follow-up appointments allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on the individual’s response and ongoing health needs.

Most patients receive a total of six infusions over a three-week period, designed to maximize the therapeutic effects of the drug. Individual responses to ketamine can vary significantly, so outcomes may differ from person to person. However, many patients report experiencing relief from symptoms within hours to a few days after their initial treatment. The frequency and total number of sessions are tailored to each individual’s response to therapy and the specific issues being addressed. Some healthcare providers suggest a series of infusions followed by maintenance treatments as needed to sustain benefits.

The cost of ketamine treatment varies for each individual, as it is determined by the specific parameters of your personalized treatment plan, including the number of sessions required for optimal results. To gain a clearer understanding of ketamine pricing, we invite you to contact Kelevate so that we can discuss the details tailored to your needs.


At Kelevate, we recognize the challenges surrounding access to mental health care and its affordability. To address these concerns, we offer customized treatment packages designed to accommodate various financial situations. Additionally, we provide the option of Care Credit, enabling our patients to finance their treatments with greater ease.

Ketamine is administered intravenously over a period of 45 to 55 minutes. Initially, you may not notice any effects, but as the infusion continues, you might begin to feel a sensation of floating or weightlessness. Throughout the treatment, you remain fully conscious and able to communicate, while being closely monitored by our staff. Approximately 15 minutes before the infusion concludes, your cognitive functions and sensory awareness are gradually returned to their typical state.

It is important to note that individual responses can vary, and the following can be common side effects:

  • Dissociation: Ketamine can induce a dissociative state, where individuals may feel detached from their surroundings or experience alterations in perception.
  • Changes in Perception: Some people may have visual or auditory distortions, such as changes in color perception or mild hallucinations
  • Elevated Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Ketamine can cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure during the infusion.
  • Nausea or Vomiting: Some individuals may experience nausea or vomiting, particularly during the infusion.
  • Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Keatmine can cause feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness.
  • Confusion or Disorientation: Temporary confusion or disorientation may occur, especially during the dissociative state induced by ketamine.
  • Headache: Headaches are reported by some individuals as a side effect of ketamine infusion.
  • Fatigue: Feeling tired or fatigued after the infusion is a possible side effect.

Ketamine rewires the brain. Ketamine has a transformative effect on the brain, working by binding to specific receptors that promote the regrowth and connectivity of brain cells, ultimately helping to regulate mood. Prolonged ketamine infusions show promise in “resetting” neural pathways.
This treatment uniquely targets the root cause of mental illness—our brain. Ketamine has been shown to quickly improve mood while simultaneously regenerating neuronal pathways, facilitating healing, and promoting brain growth. Its therapeutic effects primarily stem from inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are linked to the neurotransmitter glutamate. Research from Yale University indicates that ketamine stimulates the synthesis of glutamate, a crucial neurotransmitter responsible for forming new neural connections and integral to memory and learning processes. When combined with ketamine-assisted therapy, this can lead to longer-lasting benefits for those experiencing mental health disorders.
The growth stimulated by ketamine may also be linked to increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for the creation of new brain cells. Individuals with depression often exhibit lower BDNF levels in the hippocampus, which is closely tied to mood regulation. A 2008 study comparing rats given ketamine, a placebo, or an antidepressant found that only the rats receiving ketamine showed a significant increase in BDNF levels in the hippocampus, while no change was observed in the other groups.


Another potential benefit of ketamine is its ability to temporarily deactivate the brain’s default mode network (DMN). This network is crucial for self-reflection, mood regulation, and memory processes. An overactive DMN is often linked to rumination—persistent negative thoughts associated with depression and anxiety. By temporarily deactivating the DMN, ketamine may help alleviate the burden of these repetitive thoughts, fostering a shift in perspective, enhancing creativity, and promoting more flexible cognitive states. This altered state of mind can provide relief from habitual negativity and improve connectivity between brain regions responsible for focused attention and task performance.

Traditional SSRIs take weeks, sometimes months to affect the brain. Occasionally, patients become resistant to the medication and see no valuable benefits. Ketamine is unlike SSRIs in that it provides instantaneous results. Ketamine is given through an IV port and delivered directly into the bloodstream, where it begins to work on the brain and body immediately.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that work by boosting levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, or GABA, ketamine takes a different approach. It targets a specific receptor in the brain called the NMDA receptor, which is linked to the neurotransmitter glutamate. By inhibiting these receptors, ketamine increases the amount of glutamate in the brain, leading to a unique state of feeling disconnected or “dissociated.”

Glutamate plays a crucial role in memory and learning, but it also significantly affects mood. As the most stimulating neurotransmitter, glutamate sets off a chain reaction that boosts the levels of other important neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.

Recent research has also shown that ketamine can help regenerate the myelin sheath, a protective layer that surrounds nerve fibers. This sheath insulates neurons and aids in the transmission of electrical signals between them, enhancing communication within the brain.

Although traditional Ketamine is only FDA-approved in the U.S. for general anesthesia, it is now also widely recognized in the medical community as an effective therapy for treatment-resistant depression. While traditionally utilized Ketamine in hospitals and clinics is a mixture of two Ketamine types, S-Ketamine and R-Ketamine, the FDA has only approved as “on label” the use of S-Ketamine (Spravato) for Treatment Resistant Depression. However, when prescribed by a licensed medical professional, the use of traditional ketamine for mental health conditions is fully legal in the U.S.

Off-label use generally refers to prescribing a medication for purposes not officially approved by the FDA. Common off-label uses of ketamine include treating depression, mood disorders, chronic pain, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders. In fact, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) states that one in five prescriptions written today are for off-label use. For example, the FDA gives an “ON LABEL” indication for aspirin only for the treatment of pain and fever, yet doctors legally prescribe it for its “OFF LABEL” use for conditions such preeclampsia, the emergency treatment of stroke or heart attack, and to prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation. Another common example is the medication trazodone, most frequently known for its off label use as a sleep aid, but it is also approved for on label use for depression.
It’s important to understand that while off-label use allows for exploring potential benefits for various conditions, it also carries risks and uncertainties. Ongoing research backs the safety and effectiveness of ketamine for these off-label applications in controlled settings. Individuals considering this treatment should do so under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals in appropriate clinical settings.

Ketamine is increasingly recognized as a valuable treatment option in mental health care. Choosing a reputable and skilled provider for this therapy is essential. In Los Angeles and West Hollywood, patients turn to Kelevate for their ketamine treatments. At Kelevate, our infusions are administered by experienced and compassionate healthcare professionals.

If you’d like to learn more about ketamine therapy and determine if it’s the right choice for your health concerns, contact Kelevate Clinic today. Call us at (323) 650-9883 to schedule your free assessment.

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