Ketamine Online Therapy: Does Psychedelic Treatment Work?

Do you or someone you know suffer from depression or anxiety-related problems? Are your conditions resistant to common treatment plans?

Ketamine online therapy is one of the latest approaches to medical science. In this method of psychedelic therapy, a dissociative drug called ketamine is given to treat various mental health conditions.

Medical professionals usually perform this treatment under control parameters. In the latest studies, ketamine therapy has proven beneficial for various mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But can everyone benefit from this form of therapy?

To answer all of your questions about ketamine therapy, this article will cover:

• What ketamine and ketamine treatment is
• What and to who can therapy help
• How ketamine therapy works
• Safety of ketamine therapy
• The risks of ketamine therapy
• Finding an online ketamine therapist

What is Ketamine & Ketamine Treatment?

Ketamine is a potent drug commonly used as an anesthetic for surgical purposes. On top of that, it has practical benefits for mental health.

Ketamine treatment involves administering low doses of the drug to patients (under professional management) to treat depression and anxiety. Many studies find that ketamine is also useful in treating depression, even in patients resistant to other forms of treatment.

You may be asking, how does it work? Well, ketamine modifies the activity of neurotransmitters like glutamate and serotonin, chemicals responsible for regulating mood. This counteracts some of the neurochemical effects of anxiety disorders and depression.

Professionals administer this drug through ketamine infusions (intravenous) and the oral route. It’s important to note that this drug needs strict monitoring. So, a professional should administer psychedelic medicine like ketamine in a clinic or hospital.

What & Who Can Online At-Home Ketamine Therapy Help?

Online at-home ketamine therapy can potentially help individuals struggling with mental health conditions. These include:

• Severe depression (including treatment-resistant depression)
• Anxiety
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Suicidal ideation
• Substance use disorder

At-home ketamine treatments are beneficial in relieving the difficulties of anxiety and depression. It is also useful for patients who don’t respond to other treatment plans.

Plus, online ketamine therapy can be helpful for individuals living in an area where health-related services are not readily available or where it’s difficult to access the hospital premises. For these patients, ketamine home treatments allow them to get therapy conveniently, more privately.

How Does Online Ketamine Therapy Work?

Online ketamine therapy is a process that is done remotely. The psychiatrist consults the patient via telephone or the internet and suggests the dosing regimen and frequency.

This method involves using video conferencing with the help of online software like BetterHelp or Talkspace. This allows the patient to communicate with their mental health care professional easily and conveniently.

The professionals who can support someone with online ketamine therapy include a nurse practitioner or therapist affiliated with a medical organization, such as Harvard Medical School.

The process of online treatment starts with a physical checkup. The patient is then admitted to the hospital. During this appointment, medical professionals will assess the patient for the initial symptoms relating to their psychological health.

During each session at the hospital, the patient will receive a fixed dose of ketamine. There are also follow-up meetings with the same therapist. The number and duration usually depend on the patient and medical team’s unique needs.

Assessment & Suitability

The therapy process begins with assessing the patient’s mental health and medical history. This may involve evaluating the patient’s medical history, current symptoms, and previous treatments.

The therapist will also discuss the risks and benefits of ketamine therapy with the patient and answer any questions they may have.

If the patient is deemed suitable for ketamine therapy, the therapist will work with them to develop a treatment plan.

Low-Dose, Oral Ketamine

Although ketamine therapy usually involves administering drugs via IV, low-dose oral ketamine is also available. This is typically given to treat mental health conditions like depression (including treatment-resistant depression).

Oral ketamine is also an alternative treatment protocol to traditional ketamine intravenous therapy. Plus, many patients prefer the oral route of administration.

Is Online Ketamine Therapy Safe & FDA Approved?

The short answer is yes. Ketamine therapy is safe and has received FDA approval. While the drug can show side effects like dissociation, elevated blood pressure, and nausea, it is still considered safe.

The FDA approved a ketamine-derived nasal spray called Spravato for treatment-resistant depression in 2019. Many clinical trials highlight the drug’s effectiveness for this condition. Patients can use this spray at their own home or under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

However, not all forms of ketamine are FDA-approved or regulated. R-ketamine, also known as racemic ketamine, is not approved for treating psychiatric conditions by the FDA. Only the “S” (nasal spray) form is approved – this is known as “esketamine ketamine.“

Much research is still being conducted to assess the use of ketamine to treat mood disorders, including a recent study by Sanacora and colleagues for the American Psychiatric Association. This research states that while ketamine shows promise for mood disorders, there is still much to know about this treatment.

The Risks of Doing Ketamine Therapy Online

While online ketamine therapy can offer many benefits, it is important to consider the potential risks of this type of treatment.

The following are the risks of online ketamine therapy:

• You may not get proper medical screening or supervision before, during, or after your session
• You may experience adverse effects such as nausea, dizziness, confusion, or paranoia.
• If something goes wrong, you may not have access to emergency care or support.
• You may need adequate integration or follow-up care to help you process your experience and make positive changes in your life.

Plus, ketamine therapy has various side effects to look out for. Some of the physiological risks or side effects of ketamine therapy are:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Increased blood pressure
• Dissociation

How to Find an Online Therapist Authorised to Prescribe Ketamine

When looking for a therapist who can prescribe Ketamine, you should look for a person/institution with a specified license and experience prescribing ketamine.

Here are some steps to follow:

• Hop onto the internet and research ketamine therapy and its benefits and risks. You can compare the prices, services, and reviews of different companies.
• Search for a platform that offers ketamine therapy from licensed clinicians. Some examples are like BetterHelp and Talkspace.
• Take an online assessment to see if you qualify for ketamine therapy. The above organizations also offer these services.
• If you are eligible, you will be matched with a therapist who will prescribe ketamine and guide you through the sessions.

However, it is recommended that you book an appointment for an offline therapist session. In this session, they will assess your symptoms and guide you further.

Follow the instructions of your therapist and prepare for your sessions. You will need a safe and comfortable space, a device with an internet connection, headphones, an eye mask, and someone to support you.

Final Word on Ketamine Online Therapy

Online at-home ketamine therapy can effectively treat depression, anxiety, and several other mental health conditions.

While some variants of ketamine are FDA-approved, it’s important to seek guidance from a medical professional (like those at BetterHelp and Talkspace) to avoid ketamine variants that haven’t received FDA approval.

Despite the many benefits of online ketamine treatments, some risks are associated with ketamine home therapy. Therefore, it is crucial to find a reputable online therapist with authorization to prescribe ketamine and who can provide at-home services in case of IV administration.