Royal Oak Location
(248) 291-7709
Ann Arbor Location
(734) 585-5587
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding what is ketamine infusion therapy and other FAQs
Ketamine Treatment
Get informed to make the best decision about your mental health
The more patients know about ketamine therapy, the better informed you are to decide if treatment is the right choice for you. We have included some frequently asked questions about ketamine infusion therapy. We want to alleviate any misperceptions or mysteries about the efficacy of the drug in treatment.
At MPH, we aspire to create an environment where every patient feels safe and comfortable. Our clinic is designed to be an attractive, well-appointed medical facility. We want it to feel less like being ‘at the doctor’ and more like you are with friends or family.
Ketamine history
The History of Field Anethesia
Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 by Calvin L. Stevens, a professor of Chemistry at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. After a lot of very promising research, ketamine was first introduced in controlled human testing in 1964, demonstrating ketamine’s short duration of action and reduced behavioral toxicity, making it a favorable choice over others as a dissociative anesthetic. Another benefit of ketamine was that is doesn’t lower blood pressure or breathing rates. This, in turn, led to the FDA’s approval in 1970.
1962
Developed by Calvin L. Stevens, a professor of Chemistry at Wayne State University
1964
Introduced in controlled human testing behavioral therapy
1970
Ketamine is granted
FDA approval
Ketamine therapy is now listed as one of the World Health Organizations “Essential Medications”
Ketamine history
How Ketamine is used today
Some Americans may know ketamine as a field anesthetic that was used extensively during the Vietnam war to help wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Medics were able to administer ketamine quickly and successfully under difficult circumstances with few adverse side effects.
Ketamine is now used daily in U.S. operating and emergency rooms as anesthesia for painful procedures. It is also the most common anesthetic in third world countries and is listed as one of the World Health Organizations “Essential Medications” due to the high safety profile of this medication.
How can we help?
Frequently Asked Questions
At Michigan Progressive Health, we offer Ketamine Infusion Therapy as an innovative treatment for individuals battling depression and other mental health conditions that have not responded well to traditional therapies. This treatment involves administering a controlled dose of ketamine intravenously, under the close supervision of our healthcare professionals.
Ketamine works by targeting NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to an increase in glutamate levels. This process enhances and repairs the neural connections and pathways that are often impaired in individuals with depression, resulting in rapid and significant improvement in symptoms for many patients. The therapy is particularly noted for its effectiveness in treating major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, with a considerable portion of patients experiencing relief after just a few sessions.
The treatment typically involves a series of infusions, each lasting about 40 minutes, conducted in a comfortable and safe clinical setting. Patients may experience feelings of relaxation and dissociation during the infusion, which are generally well-tolerated and contribute to the therapeutic effect of the treatment.
It’s important to note that while Ketamine Infusion Therapy has shown promising results, it may not be suitable for everyone. A thorough evaluation by our healthcare providers is essential to determine if this treatment is appropriate for your specific needs.
For more comprehensive information on Ketamine Infusion Therapy and to understand if it might be the right option for you, please visit our website or contact us directly. Our team is committed to providing compassionate care and support as you explore potential pathways to better mental health.
For further reading on the science behind Ketamine Infusion Therapy, please refer to reputable sources such as Verywell Mind.
On a basic neurochemical basis, it is an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor. Blocking the NMDA receptor allows for modulation of glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter) and ultimately increases levels of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR), which create protein synthesis in neurons.
Many ketamine experts consider this process a “reset” button for the brain, just like you would reset your computer. A ketamine infusion allows the unhealthy neuronal pathways that are constantly “on” in your brain to turn off for a period of time. One can consider all the unhealthy thoughts that continuously occur – such as automatic negative thoughts, obsessive thoughts, anxious thoughts, persistent pain – as these unhealthy pathways. When your brain comes back “on-line”, you can then access the more healthy pathways or loops in your brain.
Simply put, ketamine works by shutting down overactive neurons while improving the healthy function of the existing neurons. In addition, ketamine improves neural connectivity in the brain that enhances daily, healthy brain function. Ketamine helps a patient restore executive control of their thoughts and emotions.
Determining if you’re a good candidate for ketamine therapy involves a comprehensive evaluation at Michigan Progressive Health. Through a $250 in-person consultation, lasting sixty minutes, you have the opportunity to meet our expert providers. This session is designed to thoroughly review the risks and benefits of ketamine treatment, address all your inquiries, and prepare you for the potential initiation of ketamine infusion series. Our commitment to your health journey extends to offering the right tools and resources for success, which includes considering alternative or complementary therapies tailored to your specific needs.
At Michigan Progressive Health, we carefully evaluate each individual’s suitability for ketamine therapy. Candidates who may not be ideal for this treatment typically include individuals with certain medical conditions or histories, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, active substance misuse, or severe psychiatric disorders not stabilized by medication or therapy. During our comprehensive $250 in-person consultation, lasting sixty minutes, our providers review your medical and psychological history in detail to assess risks and benefits specific to your situation. This session ensures all your questions are answered and explores alternative therapies that may be more suited to your health needs. Our priority is your safety and success, guiding you towards the most effective treatment path.
At Michigan Progressive Health, we are committed to providing accessible care to those in need of our services. You do not require a referral to begin treatment with us. Our approach involves evaluating each patient on an individual basis to ensure we tailor our treatments to meet your specific needs.
What to Bring to Your Appointment: To aid in your evaluation, we encourage you to bring any relevant medical records you may have. This includes documentation from your psychiatrist, therapist, primary care physician, or pain specialist. These records can provide valuable insights into your medical history and assist in creating a comprehensive treatment plan.
Special Considerations: However, it’s important to note that for patients diagnosed with Major Depression with Psychosis, Bipolar I Disorder, or Schizoaffective Disorder, we require that you have an established relationship with a psychiatrist prior to starting treatment at our facility. This requirement ensures that we can provide the safest and most effective care possible, considering the complexities of these conditions.
Our goal is to facilitate your journey towards wellness with the utmost care and professionalism. If you have any questions about starting treatment at Michigan Progressive Health, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
The experience of ketamine therapy is unique to each individual, making it a deeply personal journey. Mentally and emotionally, the sensations can range widely, influenced by a variety of factors including the emotional state of the patient, the environment of the infusion room, and personal preparations for the session. Common physical sensations during ketamine infusions may include numbness or tingling, particularly in the face and extremities, a sense of floating or gentle movement despite being stationary, and challenges with speech and coordination. Vision may appear blurred or fuzzy, and some individuals report a feeling of bodily heaviness. It’s also not uncommon for patients to experience side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, and increased urination. These are managed with care by our experienced staff, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the process. The variance in experiences underscores the importance of setting intentions and creating a supportive, calming environment for each session.
To start, one of our nurses will take you back to your treatment room, obtain vitals (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation), and place an IV. For IM/oral sessions the nurse will just take vitals. Once the nurse is finished, the provider will enter to discuss treatment. You will always see a provider before a session starts. The nurse will then administer the ketamine and any other medications that may be needed. IV infusions usually run over 50-60 minutes. IM/oral session lengths vary depending on dose and the individual’s response to ketamine. Once the IV infusion ends, 15-30 minutes of recovery time is given to relax and allow the ketamine to wear off. More recovery time is given if needed. Afterward, the nurse will obtain one last set of vitals, remove the IV, and the session is complete.
You will be greeted by our office staff and asked to fill out a short questionnaire. The doctor will perform a physical exam. The doctor will start an IV and place you on monitors. We will help you get comfortable and then begin the infusion. During your infusion you will have your blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level and breathing monitored. Typically the infusion lasts one hour, and we monitor you for 15 to 30 minutes after the infusion.
Hydrating the day before an infusion can be very helpful in starting IVs smoothly, as dehydration can make it difficult to gain IV access. Abstain from alcohol/cannabis/substances 24 hours before and after an infusion. Take your medications as you normally would unless otherwise specified by one of our providers. Think on an intention for the treatment session. Our therapists have some intention setting resources if requested. If possible, do not plan on any activities that have the potential to be intense or stressful before or after the treatment as well.
A full and accurate medication and allergy list, and any diagnostic/treatment information from prior physicians. It is recommended that you bring a family member or trusted friend to help you understand if ketamine is right for you.
Please do not have anything to eat four hours prior to your infusion appointment or have anything to drink two hours prior to your appointment.
No. You should continue to take all your medications as scheduled, including your medications for pain and depression. You may find a decreased need for these meds after your infusion; however, you should work with your doctor to wean off these medications instead of stopping quickly.
Comfortable, loose clothing.
There is no right or wrong way to experience a treatment. Everyone finds what suits them best (be it lighting, music, supportive others, etc.) and allows them to relax into the session as they progress through their treatment plans.
This varies from patient to patient. Some people appreciate knowing their support person is right next to them if needed. Others find it easier to settle into the infusion without others in the room. Until you find your preference, you can start with whatever you think will work best for you. During the infusion, we can always ask your supportive other to leave or come back to the room as needed.
Yes, with some stipulations. Discuss with front desk staff and/or providers for more information
Press the call button and a nurse will come in to check on you. If you are visibly anxious on the monitor, the nurses will enter the room to check in with you as well. They can serve as someone to talk to, take you through grounding/breathing exercises, or if possible address the cause of your anxiety (change music, change lighting, adjust speed of the infusion, etc). If no other anxiety reducing techniques work, we do have medications to reduce anxiety that are given IV (or IM for IM/Oral sessions) and start working quickly. It is every patient’s right to stop the infusion at any time if it becomes too overwhelming. For patients who may need extra support, our therapists on staff can sit in during a treatment session if scheduled in advance.
We have multiple nausea medications we can use if needed, either as premedication before the infusion, during, after, or tablets we can send home in case of nausea later in the day. A key role in preventing nausea/vomiting is to abstain from food 4 hours and beverages 2 hours prior to an infusion.
If in the middle of an infusion you need to use the restroom, one of the nurses will pause the infusion and walk with you to the restroom while holding the IV bag. The infusion can be restarted as soon as you return to the room. In an IM/oral ketamine session, a staff member will walk with you as well. We have wheelchairs in the clinic if needed (but rarely necessary).
Once an infusion ends we give patients a 20-30 minute recovery period. By the end of that time, most patients feel well enough to leave the clinic. If more recovery time is required, it is given until patients are able to make the journey home. We recommend reserving the rest of the day to recover from residual effects from ketamine treatment. By the following morning, patients are able to return to their normal activity level without issue.
Ketamine therapy offers a promising avenue for those seeking relief from various conditions, with treatment tailored to each individual’s needs. The investment in your health through ketamine therapy encompasses several components, each vital to the treatment’s success and your well-being.
Initial Ketamine Infusions: The journey begins with a series of ketamine infusions, crucial for establishing a baseline response. Each infusion is priced at $500, reflecting our commitment to providing high-quality, personalized care. The exact number of infusions varies, tailored to your unique condition and how you respond to the initial treatments.
Initial Consultation: Prior to embarking on your treatment path, an initial consultation is essential. This session, priced at $250, allows our specialists to understand your medical history, current condition, and tailor a treatment plan suited to you. A 50% deposit is required to secure your consultation, affirming your commitment to exploring ketamine therapy as a potential solution.
Follow-Up Visits: Post-treatment, follow-up visits are an integral part of your care, priced at $150. These sessions ensure your progress is closely monitored, and adjustments to your treatment plan are made as necessary, ensuring optimal outcomes.
Explore Our Pricing Options: For detailed information on the cost of ketamine therapy and to view our comprehensive pricing structure, we invite you to view our Current Prices Sheet.
Our goal is to provide transparent and straightforward pricing information to help you make an informed decision about pursuing ketamine therapy as part of your health journey.
At MPH, we strive to make ketamine therapy accessible to as many patients as possible. Currently, we are pleased to be in-network with Aetna and BCBS PPO and Traditional insurance plans. However, it’s important to note that most insurance companies still consider ketamine treatment for mental health and chronic pain conditions to be experimental, and therefore, not all aspects of the treatment may be covered.
For patients with Aetna or BCBS insurance, we can directly bill your insurer for office visits and the therapeutic components of your treatment. Unfortunately, the ketamine administration itself is not typically covered. This arrangement often results in a significant reduction in the cost of infusions, potentially halving the price for many of our patients.
To help you navigate your insurance benefits and understand what costs will be covered, we offer detailed documents and guidance. Our intake coordinators are also available to answer any questions and assist you in understanding your insurance coverage.
For those who do not have Aetna or BCBS but have out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement for a portion of your treatment costs, depending on your specific insurance plan. Payment for services is required at the time of your visit, and we accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Upon request, we will provide you with a Superbill after your treatment, which you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
For more detailed information about insurance coverage and financing options, please visit our Insurance Page. Our goal is to support you in accessing ketamine therapy in the most financially manageable way possible.
At MPH, we’re dedicated to ensuring that ketamine therapy is both accessible and affordable for those in need. To assist with the financial aspect of your treatment, we’ve gathered comprehensive information and resources regarding financing options and insurance coverage.
We encourage you to visit our Insurance Page for detailed information on how to make your treatment plan financially manageable. This page includes insights into insurance coverage, financing options available to you, and guidance on navigating these processes.
For any additional questions or personalized assistance regarding financing your ketamine therapy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to MPH directly. We’re here to support you throughout your journey to wellness.
We offer a military discount of 10% for both active and previous service. All other discounts for services are case-by-case and based on need. Those who qualify are determined by the providers and office management.
We will give you a call if you are 10 minutes late to ensure that you are coming to your appointment. We will do our best to accommodate tardiness, but if you will be more than 15 minutes beyond your scheduled time we may have to reschedule your appointment and you may be charged 50% of the appointment cost depending on the circumstance. If it will not impact other patient’s appointments, we will do our best to fit you into the schedule.
There is no added cost if you require any additional medications (such as for anxiety, nausea, headache, etc) before, during, or after your infusion.
Ketamine treatment occurs in two steps – “Initiation” and “Maintenance”.
The vast majority of our patients are treated with 6-8 treatments over 3-4 weeks during the initiation phase.
The maintenance period consists of “boosters” – which are typically a single treatment. The first booster is typically scheduled 2-3 weeks after your last initiation infusion. After that, every patient varies, but the average length between boosters is 4-6 weeks.
We find that our patients work with us anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
For patients with mood disorders, Michigan Progressive Health uses a daily text program to monitor your mood and help decide on timing between infusions.
The time between infusions varies from patient to patient. Much of it depends on response to treatment, severity of symptoms, and how long patients are able to tolerate without treatments. For example, one patient may require 2 infusions a month, others may require 1 infusion every 3 months.
This varies from patient to patient depending on factors such as diagnoses, severity of symptoms, therapeutic work in addition to ketamine treatment, level of support being received, current life events, etc. Some patients may see some improvement after 1 treatment, some may notice improvement after 6.
MPH strongly recommends that our patients have an active ongoing relationship with a licensed therapist. Studies have shown that ketamine is more effective when given in the context of therapy. We do understand that many patients have tried multiple therapy modalities without success prior to seeking treatment with us. We’ve built a strong and trusted network of mental health professionals that understand ketamine treatment who we can refer you to.
Yes, MPH is quite comfortable treating teenagers with treatment resistant mood disorders. We do require our pediatric patients to be working with a therapist and the treating physician must approve of ketamine therapy before treatment can be started.
The patient must have their psychiatric medication prescriber send a referral through our website for the patient to start the treatment process. The MPH team will then reach out to the provider to determine if the patient might be an appropriate candidate for ketamine therapy. Our team is happy to share supporting literature with your child’s treatment team. If it is agreed that your child might benefit from ketamine, our patient coordination staff will reach out to schedule a consultation.
No. Your thinking may be impaired for up to 24 hours, and we require you to have someone to drive you home BEFORE starting the infusion. We also ask that you refrain from operating heavy machinery, avoid strenuous activities, do not watch small children or sign/enter into legal contracts for the next 12 hours.
For your infusion there are pillows, blankets, noise-canceling headphones, speakers, iPods in every room with Spotify, eye masks, candles, and projector lights. Complimentary snacks and beverages are available in the clinic waiting room after your infusion has finished.
Currently MPH offers legal psychedelic treatment in the form of ketamine assisted therapy. We are awaiting the final results from stage 3 FDA trials for MDMA and Psilocybin and hopefully will offer those treatments as they become legal.
Integration involves the practice of processing and making meaning of ketamine experiences to help bring about long-term change. This can involve incorporating these lessons into your life with a therapist, group therapies with other patients, actively working on behavioral change you wish to make, engaging in mindfulness practices (yoga, meditation, etc), and/or creative expression. We offer integration sessions with our therapists as well as free group therapy sessions.
Providers can prescribe medications but this is determined on a case-by-case basis. In some instances, MPH will coordinate care with your other healthcare providers.
Any severe hypertension, chest pain, evidence of street drug abuse (cocaine, amphetamines or opiates) or manic symptoms during your physical exam will prohibit you from receiving Ketamine.
At this time, once the initiation series of infusions is complete, at home ketamine treatment can be an option for those who qualify. Not every patient is a candidate for at home ketamine treatments.