Ketamine IV & IM Therapy in Clearwater, Florida
Client Testimonials
At Priority You MD we’re committed to providing comprehensive treatment options to address various conditions. We’re excited to announce that we offer both KetaMind™ IV (intravenous) therapy and KetaMind™ IM (intramuscular) injection therapy. KetaMind™ Therapy is a safe and effective treatment to help with several conditions including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and much more. With our services in Clearwater, FL, we seek to treat patients who may not have found relief elsewhere to bring increased quality of life and reduced pain to our community.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication that was developed in the 1960s and approved by the FDA in 1970 for use as a general anesthetic. Ketamine is recognized as one the safest, most widely used anesthetics in the world and has been used on both humans and animals for over 50 years.
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine Therapy is a medical treatment used to manage psychiatric conditions and enhance cognition and memory. Administered through either intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) infusion, ketamine’s low doses offer rapid relief without inducing general anesthesia. While not FDA-approved for these conditions, ketamine therapy has shown promising results in alleviating symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and various neurological disorders.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that target the brain’s serotonin and noradrenaline systems; Research suggests that ketamine’s unique mechanism of action, targeting NMDA receptors, leads to rapid antidepressant effects and the promotion of new synaptic connections in the brain, potentially enhancing cognitive function and memory.
Since ketamine targets receptors rather than altering hormone levels, its effects are significantly faster. Traditional antidepressants often require four to eight weeks to become effective, but ketamine can start working almost immediately, sometimes within minutes. Additionally, it does so without the common side effects associated with psychiatric medications.
KetaMind Intravenous Therapy
At our ketamine clinic, KetaMind intravenous therapy offers rapid relief by delivering ketamine directly into your bloodstream. This method offers precise dosing and almost immediate effects, making it ideal for patients needing quick intervention.
Many patients report improvements in mood and reduction in chronic pain after just one session, with continued improvement over the course of a series of treatments. With IV therapy, we can closely monitor and adjust the treatment even during the appointment for optimal outcomes.
KetaMind Intramuscular Injections
KetaMind intramuscular injections provide a convenient and effective ketamine treatment option. This method involves injecting ketamine directly into the muscle, allowing for gradual absorption and sustained effects. Several injections may be needed to administer the full dosage.
Intramuscular injections are a great choice for patients who want to receive the same benefits as IV ketamine but have challenging veins or are not a good candidate for intravenous treatments. IM ketamine can offer the same management of symptoms with a method of administration that can be better for certain patients.
What Are the Benefits of Ketamine Therapy?
- Effective for Treatment-Resistant Conditions: Ketamine infusion therapy is often effective for patients who have not seen any improvement with the standard treatments.
- Non-Invasive Administrations: Ketamine therapy involves non-invasive methods such as IV infusions and intramuscular injections. This makes the treatment process more comfortable and less daunting for patients.
- Personalized Treatments: Ketamine treatments can be customized to meet individual patient needs. Dosages and administration methods are adjusted to maximize benefits and minimize negative effects.
- Long-Lasting Effects: Ketamine infusions can provide long-lasting relief from symptoms even after the initial treatment phase. Many patients experience sustained improvements in their condition, reducing the frequency of treatment sessions over time.
What Conditions Can We Treat With Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine Therapy for Mental Health and Chronic Pain
Ketamine therapy is safe and effective to help in the treatment of several conditions. Ketamine for anxiety can modulate neurotransmitters in the brain to rebalance glutamate levels and reduce symptoms. Using these same mechanisms of action, Ketamine for PTSD can also be effective. Ketamine has proven beneficial for various chronic pain conditions, including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), ischemic limb pain, phantom limb pain, fibromyalgia, and other neuropathic disorders.
Synaptogenesis and Brain Function Restoration
A study published in the journal Science in 2010 indicated that ketamine restores brain function through a process known as synaptogenesis. Researchers at Yale University discovered that ketamine not only improved depression-like behavior in rats but also stimulated the growth of new synaptic connections between neurons in the brain. This means that we can create new connections in the brain and speed up the way the brain sends messages, improving both focus and memory while potentially protecting the brain from neurologic disease.
Treatment for Depression
Most of the research on ketamine has involved adults with depression. Globally, it is estimated that depression affects 350 million people. Yet over the past 50 years, drugs to treat depression have not radically changed. This is despite the fact that for around a third of patients, these drugs do not work. This is what makes the prospect of using ketamine so groundbreaking for medical providers.
Ketamine for depression is very well-researched. There have been more than 50 clinical trials in the United States alone studying the use of ketamine for depression. Ketamine exhibits remarkably fast antidepressant effects and has been utilized for treatment-resistant depression, particularly in patients with severe and active suicidal thoughts. It has been shown to reduce depression and suicidal thoughts in as little as 40 minutes.
Cognitive Enhancement
One of the more exciting and developing uses of ketamine is for cognitive enhancement, which includes both memory and focus. Ketamine is considered a nootropic (brain enhancer) therapy that could directly improve brain function through several mechanisms and is being heavily studied for this role.
FAQs About Ketamine Therapy
How Soon Can I Expect to Feel Results?
Up to 70% of patients with treatment-resistant depression, including those with bipolar disorder, experience rapid relief following a low-dose ketamine treatment. Comparable success rates are observed among combat veterans dealing with PTSD. However, it is important to remember that the extent of relief and the speed at which benefits are felt can differ among individuals.
Some patients may only achieve partial relief, while others might not notice improvements until their second or third session. A small percentage of patients may not respond to ketamine at all, often due to other underlying medical conditions or concurrent medication use that can affect its effectiveness.
How Should I Prepare for Ketamine Therapy?
Before receiving ketamine therapy, we will perform a careful evaluation of your health to make sure that ketamine is a safe and reasonable option. The doctor may also recommend some changes in the medications you are taking to make sure they do not interfere with ketamine therapy or make it less safe or effective.
At this time you and your family should voice any questions or concerns so you are confident with the decision to receive ketamine therapy. Once you fully understand the risks and benefits of ketamine treatments and have made a decision, each participant must sign a consent form before starting the treatment.
How Is Ketamine Therapy Administered?
Ketamine therapy is given as a series of intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) treatments. The number of treatments is based on individual needs. Once the program and best route of administration for you are determined, a member of our team will begin. With IV treatments, we will insert an intravenous (IV) catheter into the hand or arm to allow for the administration of the ketamine. With IM treatments, we will administer one or more injections into a muscle, usually the arm or gluteal muscle.
Depending on your health status, you may give other medications for nausea or other symptoms. Your vital signs, including blood pressure and pulse, will be checked before and during the treatment.
Each treatment usually lasts between 40 and 60 minutes. After the treatment ends, you will be monitored by a member of the treatment team for about 30 minutes to allow most of the medication’s effect to dissipate.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Every patient at our ketamine treatment center is different in regards to how many treatments are needed and how often. During your initial consultation with Dr. Agin, he will work with you to determine your anticipated number of treatments based on your symptoms and goals.
For mind and cognitive enhancement, treatments are weekly for four weeks and then monthly. All therapy duration may vary depending on the outcome of the initial intake and medical evaluation.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have demonstrated that regular frequent treatments of ketamine (giving weekly to monthly infusions) to patients with treatment-resistant depression (relapsing after initial treatment) can extend the duration of depressive symptom remission.
What Can You Expect From Ketamine Therapy?
It is very important to understand the goals of ketamine infusion therapy and what to expect when receiving ketamine treatment. Ketamine can be delivered in different doses and different settings depending on the clinic and physician administering the therapy. These differences can have a large impact on the experience and effectiveness of the treatment.
Priority You MD Ketamine Protocol
Dr. Agin brings years of experience in the field of ketamine therapy, having developed a specialized protocol to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes. The dosage of ketamine required for effective treatment induces a sensation of lightness, accompanied by feelings of floating, mild euphoria, and dizziness.
During your session, we prioritize your comfort by providing soft recliners in a tranquil, dimly lit room. To enhance relaxation and immersion in the experience, we offer soft eye masks and noise-canceling headphones playing soothing music throughout the entire ketamine therapy session.
Interested in IV and IM Ketamine in Clearwater? Here’s How to Get Started
Each patient is required to have an initial consultation with Dr. Agin at our ketamine clinic. During this consultation at Priority You MD, he will discuss your symptoms, your goals, and your expectations. He will also go through your medical history to determine if you are a good candidate for our IV and intramuscular ketamine in Clearwater, FL.
If ketamine seems like the right treatment for you, call or text us at (727) 230-1438 or fill out our online form.