Understanding the Safety and Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy

The rise of ketamine therapy, as an alternative and complementary treatment option, has garnered significant attention for its potential in providing rapid relief for those who have not responded to conventional mental health treatments. However, the excitement surrounding ketamine’s promise must be weighed alongside the risks and responsibilities.

Indeed, both the safety and efficacy of ketamine therapy rely heavily on the setting, supervision, and support that surround it. In an era where marketing loopholes and cash-only enterprises allow for the promotion of claims beyond what evidence can support, this can create a landscape where the drug’s safety profile is either minimized or dismissed entirely.

This blog explores what safe ketamine therapy looks like, potential side effects and contraindications, and why Ketamine Therapy Clinic is committed to offering this treatment safely and responsibly.

What is ketamine therapy?

Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, is now being explored off-label as a rapid-acting treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other resistant mood disorders. Its increased popularity followed theFDA approval of esketamine in 2019, a related compound marketed as Spravato for treatment-resistant depression.

Ketamine works by interacting with NMDA receptors, affecting glutamate activity linked to learning, memory, and mood. This may stimulate neuroplasticity and help repair neural pathways. Some patients report symptom relief within hours, particularly those dealing with suicidal thoughts or treatment-resistant depression, compared to the weeks required for traditional antidepressants.

While promising, ketamine’s effects vary and aren’t guaranteed. At Ketamine Therapy Clinic, we ensure patients understand the benefits and risks clearly, focusing on safe, supervised treatment backed by responsible care.

Ketamine Side Effects: What to Expect and What to Consider

Ketamine’s safety and effectiveness are closely tied to appropriate clinical supervision, which can properly mitigate and monitor both short- and long-term risks. Common acute side effects may include:

• Dissociation or feelings of detachment
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Perceptual changes, such as hallucinations
• Dizziness
• Increases in blood pressure and heart rate
• Anxiety

Though ketamine side effects are typically resolved shortly after completing the infusion process, they can nevertheless produce unnecessary stress when not communicated effectively. Less common side effects may include vivid dreams and instances of mania. A controlled clinical setting allows for real-time mitigation and quick response to both anticipated and unanticipated effects.

In contrast, when used recreationally and within unsupervised settings, ketamine’s risk profile can change dramatically. Effects observed with heavy or recreational use may include:

• Bladder damage (ketamine cystitis)
• Liver damage (though rare)
• Cognitive impairment
• Respiratory depression
• Addiction and abuse
• Overdose

Importantly, the potential for adverse reactions increases when ketamine is taken in conjunction with other mind-altering substances or consumed by frequent alcohol users. Though these concerns relate to chronic recreational misuse of ketamine, they are important to consider when long-term effects have yet to be adequately examined within clinical settings.

In addition, ketamine use is discouraged within certain populations. These include groups such as the following:

• Those with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia
• Those with a history of substance use disorder (SUD)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Teenagers
• Older adults with dementia symptoms
• Individuals with uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions

Though prevalent, these risks can be considerably mitigated when conducted within a clinically regulated setting and with comprehensive patient screening.

The Non-Negotiables: Why Setting Matters Most

Receiving ketamine therapy within controlled, supervised clinical settings is paramount; it’s a measure that safety is dependent on. As such, Ketamine Therapy Clinic ensures that certain non-negotiables are met to prioritize safety in patient care.

Patient Selection

Our all-physician team begins the evaluation process with a careful medical and psychiatric evaluation. This allows contraindications to be detected in advance, such as uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions or existing medications that may cause adverse drug reactions.

Dosing

Controlled clinical is essential, as the safety and dose variability risks associated with at-home or compounded formulations. Compounded formulas are loosely regulated, which can make controlling individual doses difficult and potentially dangerous.

In contrast, intravenous treatments delivered in our clinic allow for real-time control of doses and individualized treatment plans.

Monitoring

Throughout the infusion process, both patient vitals and treatment response are continuously monitored. Post-treatment observation is particularly crucial in instances where acute ketamine side effects are delayed or longer than anticipated.

Clinical Setting

It is important to consider that the guidelines under which both ketamine and esketamine were approved required close clinical supervision. This distinction, though too often disregarded, is crucial in optimizing both ketamine’s safety and effectiveness.

Ketamine Therapy Clinic offers comfortable, private infusion rooms. In addition, our OHIP-covered psychotherapists work alongside infusion specialists to facilitate deeper emotional processing and safely monitor the patient experience.

Balancing Hope With Caution

At Ketamine Therapy Clinic, we recognize both the promise and responsibility that come with offering ketamine therapy. We understand that the suggested benefits of ketamine therapy should not be separated from the supervision and monitoring that its risk profile warrants.

Our model of care is based on safety, personalization, and holistic support. Rather than simply providing a drug, we integrate its use into a personalized plan centred on patient care and support.

Ketamine therapy may not be right for everyone, but for those struggling with treatment-resistant mental health disorders, it can offer a hopeful alternative.

If you are interested in discovering more about ketamine’s side effects and the role that ketamine therapy could play in your own mental health journey, contact Ketamine Therapy Clinic today by calling us at 888-259-9755, emailing us at admin@ketaminetherapyclinic.ca, or contacting us here.