IV Ketamine Therapy

What is IV Ketamine Therapy?

IV ketamine delivers medication through an IV line, slowly dripping it directly into your vein. Originally used as an anesthetic at high dosages for surgery, ketamine in lower dosages has been researched to relieve pain and symptoms of many mental health conditions.

IV ketamine usually works within minutes. This fast action can provide rapid relief for people who need it. At The AIM Clinic, we use IV ketamine as part of a comprehensive approach to help you manage uncomfortable symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How does IV Ketamine Therapy work?

Once in your body, ketamine quickly reaches your brain and affects certain neurotransmitters—chemicals that help nerve cells communicate. This can help reduce pain and improve mood by balancing brain receptors involved in pain, depression, and anxiety. 

Ketamine may also promote the growth of new connections between brain cells, which can help improve symptoms of mental health conditions. This fast-acting treatment can provide relief when other therapies, like oral medications, haven’t been effective.

Who Benefits from IV Ketamine Therapy?

We've found IV ketamine to be the strongest and most profound mind-body therapy we offer. We've successfully used IV ketamine therapy to benefit many treatment-resistant conditions, such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Long COVID
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Chronic pain
• Migraines
• Addiction

After a thorough health screening that involves reviewing your medical history, including medications, allergies, and symptoms, the team can determine whether you’re a candidate for IV ketamine therapy.

What Happens During an IV Ketamine Treatment?

IV ketamine infusions typically take about 45-60 minutes. During this time, an experienced nurse practitioner continuously monitors you while you relax in a comfortable chair. The treatment usually requires a series of infusions over several weeks, with the exact number depending on your individual needs.

For more severe cases such as severe chronic pain, we offer a 4-hour protocol to help reset the nervous system.

Many of our patients describe the experience as “Zen-like,” often feeling a sense of connectivity, happiness, and mental clarity. Common side effects like nausea and dizziness are typically mild and resolve on their own. 

Make sure to arrange a ride home after the infusion, as you shouldn’t drive immediately after IV ketamine therapy.

How Long Does IV Ketamine Take to Work?

IV ketamine’s antidepressant effects may only take a few hours to start providing relief. A series of infusions can help prolong the treatment’s effects, providing more sustained relief from symptoms of chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Interested in trying IV ketamine therapy?