With so much increased interest in Ketamine and Ketamine Therapy, many doctors, professionals and everyday patients are asking a lot of questions about Ketamine. One of the most important health-related ketamine question is whether or not ketamine therapy is safe.
Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?
In-short, yes, ketamine therapy provided by a licensed physician — and used in combination with mental health therapy — is perfectly safe. Like any other form of medication therapy, it does carry risks, though the risks can be mitigated by the intake and monitoring processes that accompany ketamine therapy.
Ketamine Therapy Risks and Concerns
The procedure of administering low dose ketamine for therapeutic purposes is relatively safe. There is no concern for overdose nor over-sedation though the patient is still monitored throughout. The biggest concern by ketamine doctors and the FDA is ketamine misuse and abuse.
The risk of Ketamine Misuse and Abuse with Ketamine Therapy
The risk of abuse of esketamine for ketamine therapy is relatively low. The ketamine doctor will administer the ketamine and only low therapeutic doses are administered directly to the patient via either oral route, sublingual, or nasal spray. The ketamine therapy patient does not ever take possession of the medication.
The risk of Addiction and Abuse of Ketamine Outside of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapist and doctors’ main concern is the abuse of illicit drugs outside of ketamine therapy sessions — ketamine or other types of drugs. Users of illicit drugs are restricted from ketamine therapy and ketamine therapy sessions may be suspended if your therapist is concerned that drug or alcohol abuse is occurring.
Therapists will watch for any concerning substance abuse behaviors, though the risk of addiction and chemical dependency to ketamine is low, and the very low doses used during ketamine therapy also are not alarming or a concern for dependence.
Does the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consider Ketamine Therapy to be Safe?
In speaking on the potential risks of ketamine products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are quoted as saying: “For FDA-approved ketamine, the expected benefit outweighs these risks when used at appropriate doses for FDA-approved indications and routes of administration. ” – FDA Statement on Ketamine
The FDA’s statement on the benefits outweighing the risks is echoed by many physicians and therapists including our team at The Arizona Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy Institute. Fixing depression happens through mechanisms in the brain — not through any medication itself. Medications like ketamine help to open the mind to the changes that must occur in the brain, behaviors and lifestyle in order to achieve wellness.
Is Ketamine Therapy Prescribed By a Doctor?
At the Arizona Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy Institute (AZPAPTI), our ketamine therapy sessions are charged by Dr Melissa Ferrell and her team of Ketamine Doctors. The Administering of medication is performed by a doctor / licensed medical professional and the therapy sessions are provided by licensed therapists with a profound background in psychotherapy.
Can You Die From Ketamine Therapy?
No. The dosage levels associated with licensed and approved ketamine therapies are far too low to death by itself. Serious side effects with low-dose ketamine therapy are rare. The recent death of actor Matthew Perry has caused many to ask if he died from ketamine therapy, since the medical examiner stated that he died from the acute effects of the drug ketamine.
While the actor was indeed undergoing ketamine therapy at the time at an undisclosed California location, the “acute effects” noted by the medical examiner suggest misuse and abuse of ketamine. It is unknown at this time whether the misuse came from ketamine abused outside of ketamine therapy sessions or improper dosing procedures inside the sessions. However, this tragic event spotlights the need for a proper screening and intake process with ketamine therapy.
Safety During the Ketamine Therapy Intake Process
Safety starts with the intake process for ketamine therapy. Prospective candidates for ketamine therapy must go through a pre-screening process that assesses an individual’s risks for safety items like potential abuse.
A history of drug and alcohol abuse is not necessarily going to get you barred from proceeding with ketamine therapy. However, it is important to be noted, and it is important for doctors and therapists to ensure that no current abuse of drugs and alcohol are occurring at the time.
Additionally, it is important for therapists to be on the lookout for any signs of drug and alcohol abuse AFTER ketamine therapy has started. Some patients with addictive personalities fall back into substance abuse routines even with the legitimate use of prescription medication or over the counter medications.
Ketamine is NOT FDA Approved For the Treatment Of Any Psychiatric Disorder
It is important to remember that: “Ketamine is not FDA approved for the treatment of any psychiatric disorder.” This may be confusing, since it is often prescribed for ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The official statement from the FDA on this reads:
“FDA is aware that compounded ketamine products have been marketed for a wide variety of psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder); however, FDA has not determined that ketamine is safe and effective for such uses.”
How Do I Start Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine Therapy begins with the intake process. By filling out a request, our team will start your consultation to make sure you fit the criteria for ketamine therapy sessions. Qualified candidates are then scheduled for a series of therapy sessions and ketamine therapy. We invite all interested to contact us to start your consultation.
