What IS Ketamine
Ketamine is a safe, FDA approved anesthetic used for surgical and diagnostic procedures since 1970, it is also the only anesthetic agent available in most developing countries. In 1985, due to it's safety profile, Ketamine was placed on the World Health Organizations list of essential medications.
In recent years Ketamine has been found to provide rapid and profound relief to individuals suffering from treatment resistant mood disorders (bipolar depression, depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD). Over the last two years we've noted that seventy percent of our patients experience relief from their symptoms within several days to a week and a half, without the negative side effects and poor efficacy associated with traditional antidepressants.
So how does Ketamine work? Although the exact mechanism of actions is currently under intense study, we do know that Ketamine binds to NMDA receptors in the brain resulting in a complex cascade of actions leading to the increased production of brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). BDNF can be described as the brain's natural fertilizer. In the presence of increased BDNF, the areas of the brain that control mood (hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex) undergo neuronal growth know as neuroplasticity. These areas effectively grow more neurons and neuronal connections allowing the patient the ability to control rather than be controlled by his or her negative thought processes.
Is Ketamine covered by insurance? Ketamine for the purpose of treating mood disorders is considered an off-label use, meaning the FDA has not approved I.V. Ketamine for this purpose. Hence, insurance companies will not reimburse infusions for the treatment of mood disorders. However, over the last 20 years Ketamine's safety and efficacy in treating mood disorders has been demonstrated clinically as well as in multiple studies. Off-label use of medications is common in the practice of medicine.
"Recent data suggests that Ketamine, given intravenously, might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades."
Thomas Insel
Director, National Institute of Mental
Health.
What some of our patients are saying
"Truely life changing."
"As a husband and a father of a young son, major depression has been a serious issue for us in our home. I could not work, function in society or even meet the basic needs of my family and was close to loosing my marriage. Without Ketamine treatment I would have certainly lost everything I hold dear. From the very first session I could tell a difference. I noticed that dark hole you sit in when you have depression wasn't so deep any more and for the first time in a very long time, I felt there was hope. After the second and third session people people started telling me they could see a major difference. The negative thoughts and feelings started fading away and I was out doing things, laughing and enjoying the things I had lost all interest in. By the end of the sessions I felt I was back to being normal and I finally felt freed from the shackles of depression. Ketamine treatments has allowed me to shake off negative thoughts and feelings and keep myself from spiraling down into depression. Now, instead of the thoughts and feelings being in control of me, I am in control of them."
J.B.
"Ketamine became a miracle in my life."
"I have battled depression for over 40 years. The doctors, therapists, medications, and all the help books allowed me to manage my depression and anxiety but did not cure it. Ketamine became a miracle in my life. I no longer hear the constant noise in by head reliving every mistake I've ever made, or every unkind thing ever said to me. I understand what happiness feels like."
M.P.
".....it did help immensely with getting out of the pit of hopelessness....."
"I've had major depressive disorder and relatively severe anxiety for the better of my life and ketamine has absolutely been one of the most helpful thing for treating it. While it's not a cure-all and I do think the best results come from infusions in addition to traditional therapy, it did help immensely with getting out of that pit of hopelessness and to a point where being able to work on myself and even just live seemed much more possible."
H.T.
"This treatment is helping me get my life back."
"It has been one of the best parts of the year. This treatment absolutely made my whole year and set me up with the faith I needed to start the new year. Thank you…
After the toughest years of my life (the past 3-4 years, this year especially), I endured almost back to back trauma in my life which led to me suffering from extreme anxiety, PTSD, bipolar mood disorder, and depression. I always wanted to be better and have strived to dig myself out of what felt like a deep hole piling with despair and defeat. After struggling for so long with nasty medications and what seemed like endless disappointing doctors’ appointments, the universe finally put me in the place where I so desperately needed to be.
I did six days of [ketamine] treatment. After the first day, the undying restless feeling of anxiety I had inside had finally taken a seat to rest. This was the most hopeful feeling I had in over 3 years. In my chest, in my body, there was peace. I can’t even express my gratitude for my experience with this treatment. I now know that I can have peace within and that I can achieve a life that I am proud of and worthy of fulfilling.
I am grateful! I feel so lucky and I was reminded of who I truly am because of this treatment. I have now landed a new job in a completely different line of work towards a new career and a new identity of myself, and I also now feel comfortable and confident in getting a place of my own again for me and my daughter. This treatment is helping me get my life back. Thank you."
K.S.
"My quality of life has improved."
"I have suffered from treatment resistant depression for 17 years, with no relief from typical and atypical medications. Since starting Ketamine infusions at Sunrise Ketamine Clinic, my life has dramatically changed for the better. My quality of life has improved, I feel like I have my life back and feel my depression and anxiety have vastly improved. I have always been treated with dignity, respect, compassion and understanding. I highly recommend Sunrise Ketamine Clinic to anyone who is wanting to improve their mental health."
J.B.
"This has been a game changer for me".......
This has been a game changer for and i have only the highest praise for Todd and the Sunrise Ketamine Clinic. After being diagnosed with treatment resistant depression, I tried and failed a half a dozen SSRI's, SRNI's, having also tried multiple supplements, acupuncture, cleanse diets and various detox's with no success. While discussion financially feasible options with my psychiatrist at the University of Utah, she told me about Ketamine. I had heard about Todd through word of mouth and decided to do my homework. The University of Utah and Sunrise Ketamine Clinic had the same pattern and for exactly the same cost. To me, it made more sense to do this close to home. I have found more success with this treatment option than anything else I have tried in the last two years.
Todd has been fantastic. He is incredibly knowledgeable and well researched. I can tell that he wants so much to have the best outcomes for his patients. He is flexible and easy to work with, is very discreet and has the patience of a saint. His facilities are very comfortable and I am very much at ease while I'm there. I would highly recommend Sunrise Ketamine Clinic for those who suffer with treatment resistant depression.
M.D.
"They have given me increased hope."
I have been receiving ketamine infusions from Todd Merkley for over a year now. Previous to the treatments I had struggled with chronic depression for all of my adult life. The treatment have been very helpful, and my depression levels have decreased. They have given me increased hope."
R.T.