Frequently Asked Questions

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Ketamine is thought to work by improving the signaling between brain cells, a concept known as neuroplasticity. It acts on the NMDA receptor in the brain which increases the level of Glutamate, a neurotransmitter. This promotes nerve cell growth and improves nerve cell signaling, which can quickly reverse the effects found in many mood disorders and chronic pain.

Traditional antidepressants are thought to work by increasing the level of different neurotransmitters in the brain, primarily serotonin and norepinephrine. Both of these are thought to help nerve cell growth and nerve cell transmission. This treatments works differently than traditional medications and is 80% effective in treating treatment- resistant disorders including treatment resistant depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and chronic pain. 

Whereas traditional therapies require taking the medication for 6-12 weeks to get an improvement in symptoms, patients who receive ketamine therapy may notice improvement in a matter of hours to a few days.

After your history is reviewed, you will begin to receive treatment in a private and comfortable room with minimal distraction. An IV line will be placed. After that you can sit in a comfortable recliner and begin to receive the treatment. You will have the option of listening to your own music through headphones or we can provide our own peaceful music through a small speaker in the room. When the treatment is over you will recover until you are awake and aware enough to go home.  You can read a more in-depth review of what to expect here. 

For mood disorders patients, some will begin to feel relief within an hour of treatment. Patients with thoughts of self harm or suicidal ideation often notice those thoughts dissipate first, and almost completely. Often patients feel big relief of the dread and hopelessness and are replaced by energy and hope. Others do not see relief until finishing the full course of treatments which is 6 full infusions. Most patients see relief after the 3rd infusion. Some patients require more time and more refusions to show significant relief.  It is important to know that ketamine treatments can be sudden and dramatic, but this is not the case for all patients. Most of the time a person’s function improves before the mood does. 

For chronic pain, it is uncommon to feel substantial relief before completing a full course of treatments, which is a series of 6 infusions. Patients that have both chronic pain and mental health disorders can receive relief from both pain and mood when receiving treatments for chronic pain. 

Ketamine has been FDA approved as an anesthetic medication for over 50 years. The doses we use are lower than used in the operating room or when used as a street drug. It may cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, but you will be continuously monitored throughout and an anesthesiologist present at all times.

Arizona Ketamine Specialists provides Anesthesiologist administration, continuous monitoring, safety equipment, and protocols consistent with best practices for the procedure and with the Arizona Medical Board Codes for office-based anesthesia.

Ketamine has been abused as a recreational drug. Street drug use is in doses vastly higher than the sub-anesthetic doses used for ketamine therapy. Ketamine is used legally and safely everyday in the specialty of anesthesia and is a very safe medication in experienced hands. Incidentally, a large number of the drugs used in anesthesia practice have the potential for abuse, so ketamine is not unique in this respect. The key is administering the right dose to the right patient in the right setting.

In the lower dosage treatments that we use ketamine has not been shown to be physically addictive.

During the infusion, you might experience confusion, lucid dreaming, and possibly an “out of body” experience with higher dosing. This is actually thought to indicate that the treatment is effective. You might also have increased blood pressure, and nausea both of which can easily be treated with medication. Some patients can experience bladder irritation at higher doses so we recommend patients drink plenty of fluids after their treatments. 

Unfortunately, we do not accept insurance at this time.

Unfortunately, our cost in providing ketamine infusions is not covered by any insurance companies to the extent necessary to meet expenses. 

 We do not offer direct financing, but many of our patients have received affordable financing options through Advance Care, a 3rd party medical funding company. For details, please call them directly at 800-432-9470, or visit their website at advancecarecard.com.

Ketamine therapy given by IV is the gold standard of care. The body absorbs 100% of the ketamine and medications included in the treatment when given by IV. When giving ketamine by IV, we are also able to titrate (increase or decrease) the dose to get the best results because every patient has a different medical history and tolerance level. Getting the right amount of ketamine in the body is key to getting the best results. In addition, the patient’s vital signs when receiving treatment in the office are constantly monitored to keep the patient safe and healthy at all times. 

Mail order ketamine is administered by mouth and only 30% is absorbed by the body. There are no other medications included with the mail order ketamine to improve the effectiveness of the ketamine, nor to combat some of the side effects that can occur like nausea. The dose cannot be titrated (increased or decreased) which is key to achieving good results as every person has a different medical history and tolerance level. Since only a lower dose of ketamine is absorbed when given by mouth it is much less effective and much more expensive in comparison to IV ketamine therapy. With at home ketamine, there is no monitoring of vital signs or safety measures in place for the protection of the patient. The marketing can make the mail order option of ketamine look appealing but in the long run it is much less effective and can be more expensive. 

We do not require a prescription or referral from a psychiatrist or physician. We do require speaking with another clinician who has managed the condition which you are seeking treatment.  This is to confirm diagnosis, to learn more about you, and personalize a treatment plan for you. The clinician can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, general practitioner, or pain specialist.

If you do not have a current clinician, we can refer you to get an assessment to help ensure Ketamine Treatment is a good fit for your condition.

Dr. Vanlierop will also evaluate your medical history before your ketamine treatment as well.

 Payment is required either before, or at the time of all services. Arizona Ketamine Specialists accepts payment for your treatments via cash, money order, credit card, Flexible Savings Account (FSA), or a Health Savings Account (HSA).

You can drive yourself to the clinic, but you will need a plan in place for someone to drive you home. This is for your safety and mandatory.  If you do not have a ride, we can help assist finding you a safe ride home. 

Since ketamine is an anesthetic medication you are not allowed to eat for 6 hours before the treatment, and may drink liquids only for up to 2 hours before the treatment. This is for your safety. 

We are happy to answer any of your questions. Please see our contact page or fill our a contact request below.