Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with a long history in the United States, spanning clinical and recreational use. Through the eighties and nineties, its reputation was as “ecstasy” or “Special K,” illicit party drugs. Once it became a controlled substance, it lost popularity, both medically and recreationally. Until some doctors began to experience success using it off-label for treatment-resistant depression.

The FDA has now approved two additional ketamine-based drugs to treat depression, and medical clinics exist nationwide. Patients struggling with mental health issues can visit a New York ketamine treatment clinic for safe, effective IV infusions.

What happens during a treatment session?

It’s normal to feel apprehensive before your first ketamine treatment. The trained staff at Long Island Ketamine Infusions goes the extra mile to ensure all our clients feel safe and at ease during our treatments.

You’ll relax in a comfortable chair and a technician will insert a small needle attached to an IV bag with the low-dose ketamine infusion into your arm. A single treatment lasts for about 40 minutes, and you can leave our clinic just minutes later.

Some patients feel a mild sense of euphoria or a waking-dream sensation. While you can’t operate heavy machinery or make significant decisions for the day following a treatment, you’ll likely feel normal.

How many ketamine treatments are needed for results?

Doctors usually prescribe six infusions over two to three weeks. Research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health into the efficacy of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression is the basis for the initial series schedule.

For some patients, the series of six infusions eliminates the symptoms of their mental illness, and they don’t require further ketamine treatments in New York. Others will need occasional treatment at intervals following the initial series.

Aftercare is foundational to the work we do at Long Island Ketamine Infusions. Dr. Curro works one-on-one with patients to develop a customized treatment plan that provides lasting results.

How do other forms of ketamine-based treatment work?

Following the success of ketamine in treating depression, the FDA has approved two ketamine-based treatments. These are nasal sprays that patients must visit their doctor’s office to receive treatment one to two times a week.

The nasal spray is a higher dosage, which can cause disorientation in some patients. Following treatment, patients stay at the doctor’s office for up to two hours to ensure they’re safe to return home.

IV ketamine treatment in New York is a lower dosage and only requires a 40-minute visit to a clinic. Intravenous administration of ketamine is the most effective treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and more.

How do ketamine treatments work?

The off-label use of ketamine began after health care workers noticed individuals treated with the drug following mental health crises sometimes stopped experiencing symptoms altogether.

Ketamine treatments aren’t practical for everyone. Doctors still aren’t sure how to predict who will experience relief from their symptoms and who will be resistant. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks and side effects.

Long Island Ketamine Infusions provide affordable, effective ketamine treatment in New York. We work with patients to offer them relief from a variety of mental health issues.

Long Island Ketamine Infusions provide IV ketamine treatments in New York.

Our client’s mental health is our top priority. Low-dose IV ketamine infusions are safe for treating various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. Studies from Yale University and the National Institute of Mental Health show substantial improvement in symptoms associated with these mental health disorders, with most patients remaining symptom-free after the initial course of infusions.

If you have treatment-resistant anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or OCD, reach out to our team to learn more about our New York ketamine treatments by calling 631-215-3142.