What Are the Potential Side Effects of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?

Ketamine has long been used in medicine for its sedative and pain-reducing properties. More recently, mental health pioneers have observed and applied these developments to new clinical approaches for treating mental health disorders. However, before choosing to undergo treatment, it is important to understand the potential side effects of ketamine therapy.

Ketamine can be used in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Ketamine-assisted therapy offers patients a modest dose of ketamine in a highly controlled therapeutic setting. Medically supervised ketamine treatment often includes psychotherapy. This approach provides rapid and significant mood changes for patients. However, there are some side-effects of ketamine therapy that patients should be aware of.

Short-Term Side Effects of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

The immediate side effects of ketamine treatment vary from person to person, but these are usually temporary and dissipate without lasting damage. The effects of medically supervised ketamine therapy usually persist an hour after administration. Short-term side effects include:

• Dizziness is experienced by most patients immediately after the completion of an intravenous dose.
• Nausea requiring treatment happens at a rate of about 15% at Caledon Clinic. We prevent nausea by premedication with Zofran for some patients.
• Elevated blood pressure and heart rate requiring treatment happens at a rate of about 15% at Caledon Clinic. The stimulating effect of ketamine on the flight or fight response results in high blood pressure, especially if you smoke.
• Perceptual abnormalities like heightened colours and sounds. These are expected to occur for about 75% of sessions.
• Alienation from the body and environment may also occur in about 75% of sessions.

Ketamine therapy often results in dissociation from the body. Dissociation may cause worry or terror in certain people. Most patients are able to re-orient with guidance or an ice pack held against the neck. That is why sessions must be in a supportive, controlled environment where medical staff can instantly alleviate discomfort.

Long-Term Side Effects of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

When considering the side effects of ketamine, it’s vital to distinguish clinical use from recreational abuse. Therapeutic dosage and frequency-control in clinical settings minimize the likelihood of long-term side effects and remove the risk of dependency.

In chronic and high-dose use, ketamine can causer urinary tract symptoms and bladder damage, though this is more frequent in recreational overuse.

Psychological dependency is also possible. Ketamine cannot cause physical addiction like opiates or alcohol, but psychological dependence, especially in people at risk of substance use disorder, is a concern that will be monitored by your care providers.

The Comprehensive Process

We must stress that ketamine-assisted therapy is a treatment method that goes beyond medication effects. The biological effects of ketamine and psychotherapy approaches create a unique treatment experience. Skilled therapists help patients apply therapy findings to their daily lives.

Caledon Clinic is committed to ensuring a holistic and beneficial experience for patients undergoing ketamine-assisted therapy. Through medical examinations and screening, supportive and directed therapy, and post-treatment integration are included in our treatment process. The clinic tracks patients’ physical and emotional health to minimize adverse effects and maximize therapy benefits.

Comprehensive care at Caledon Clinic helps ketamine-assisted therapy patients manage these adverse effects, making treatment safer and more successful. Our interdisciplinary care team can provide all the support and expertise you need. Contact us to schedule a consultation and find out if ketamine treatment is right for you.