ARE ALL KETAMINE CLINICS THE SAME?

No, not all ketamine clinics are the same.  While ketamine clinics generally offer ketamine infusions for therapeutic purposes, there can be significant differences in their practices, protocols, and the overall patient experience.  Some of the key factors that can vary between ketamine clinics include:

  1. Medical Professionals:  The expertise and qualifications of the medical provider overseeing ketamine treatments can vary.  Dr. Smith has been trained and certified by the Ketamine Research Institute to provide expertise in administering ketamine infusions, while other clinics may not have any training at all.  All that is needed to administer ketamine is a DEA and medical license, therefore any doctor can administer ketamine, but not every doctor has a certification and expertise to do so.  

  2. Treatment Protocols:  Different clinics may follow different protocols for ketamine infusions.  This includes the dosage, frequency of treatments and the duration of each session.  The protocols may be tailored to specific conditions, such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or PTSD.  At Tidewater Health and Ketamine Center we comply with the consensus recommendations of the American Academy of Anesthesiology and the American Psychiatric Association’s protocols for the treatment of mood disorders with IV Ketamine.  

  3. Setting and Environment:  The setting and environment of the clinic can influence the overall treatment experience.  We make an effort to provide a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere to help patients feel at ease during the infusion, while others may have a more clinical or hospital-like environment.

  4. Tidewater Health and Ketamine Center makes every effort to keep our pricing as low as possible so that more patients are able to experience the relief that ketamine can offer.  While an infusion is time and resource and expertise intensive, the effectiveness and potential speed of onset potentially make ketamine infusion therapy less expensive than traditional therapy if accounting for the cost of office visits, medications and loss productivity due to the mood disorder.

  5. Safety.  Although IV Ketamine therapy is very safe, it still has potential risk.  Some providers take little precaution when administering the ketamine.  At our practice, each patient is constantly monitored with EKG, non-invasive blood pressure, oxygen saturations and respiratory rate.  If anything worrisome were to occur, the staff is ACLS trained and has a hospital grade “crash cart” on hand. 

Before choosing a ketamine clinic, it’s essential to do thorough research, read patient reviews, and consider the factors mentioned above.  Additionally, consulting with your primary healthcare provider can help you make an informed decision based on your specific medical needs and circumstances.  Always prioritize safety, expertise, and a well-established reputation when selecting a ketamine clinic for treatment.   Tidewater Health and Ketamine Clinic would be honored to meet with you and help you decide if IV Ketamine therapy is appropriate for you.