Ketamine Therapy
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Healthy Mind Psychiatry
Board-Certified Psychiatrist located in Valencia, CA
Ketamine therapy is a relatively new and potentially life-changing treatment for tough-to-treat depression. At Healthy Mind Psychiatry in the Valencia neighborhood of Santa Clarita, California, Ananya Sreepathi, MD, offers ketamine infusions to quickly relieve serious symptoms of depression. Dr. Sreepathi carefully monitors in-office infusions and focuses on helping you find long-term relief from depression.
IV Ketamine Therapy is a Breakthrough Treatment for Depression and Anxiety
Ketamine Therapy Q&A
What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy is a breakthrough approach for treating depression, anxiety disorders, and certain chronic pain conditions—particularly when other treatments haven’t worked. At Healthy Mind Psychiatry, Board-certified psychiatrist Ananya Sreepathi, MD, offers both intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions and FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray therapy in a safe, supportive setting.
Ketamine is a prescription medication originally developed as an anesthetic. In recent years, research from leading institutions such as Yale University and the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that low doses of ketamine—delivered intravenously or intranasally—can produce rapid and significant improvements in mood, even in cases of treatment-resistant depression.
Many patients experience life-changing results, with relief often beginning within hours to days instead of the weeks or months required for traditional antidepressants.
How does ketamine therapy treat depression?
Ketamine has an effect on the NMDA receptors in your brain. The medication binds to the receptors and increases the amount of glutamate, an important neurotransmitter in your brain. Glutamate activates brain receptors to improve communication between neurons and can create new pathways.
This process significantly improves symptoms of depression and does so quickly. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to fully work, you can experience the benefits of ketamine shortly after treatment.
The effects of ketamine therapy also can provide long-lasting relief of depression symptoms.
Ketamine therapy impacts both mood and anxiety disorders with positive treatment outcomes for the following diagnoses:
- Depression, Chronic Depression, and Treatment Resistant Depression
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post Partum Depression
- All Anxiety Disorders
What can I expect during ketamine therapy?
All new patients have a series of six infusions spaced over two or three weeks. Each infusion is 40 minutes long, painless, and well tolerated. Most patients experience significant relief during the series and many remain symptom free for extended periods of time following the initial treatment protocol.
To treat depression, Dr. Sreepathi delivers a specific dosage of ketamine into your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line. This dosage is much lower than it might be for surgery. You receive infusions in a comfortable, calming environment, and he continues to monitor your vitals during your therapy for your own health and safety.
After your ketamine treatment, you may experience side effects like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Changes in perception
Dr. Sreepathi can monitor these issues, which typically resolve soon after your infusion is complete.
You can expect to go home after your appointment. Dr. Sreepathi can determine if you need additional ketamine infusions based on your treatment results and the severity of your depression. Typically, a series of infusions provides optimal relief of depression if ketamine is working well for you.
