What is ketamine-assisted therapy?
As you will likely know, ketamine is an anesthetic and analgesic used widely internationally. Ketamine also has antidepressant and psychedelic effects at certain doses, and international research has increasingly demonstrated that the combination of ketamine with structured psychotherapy can have benefits for a range of mental disorders. The ketamine-assisted therapy protocol at Numinus is distributed over approximately 4-6 weeks, depending on the patient’s schedule and how the visits are scheduled. Generally, the therapeutic protocol is expected to include two 90 minute introductory therapy sessions without the use of ketamine, three ketamine medicine sessions of 2.5 hours in duration each followed within 24 hours by 75-minute therapeutic sessions where insights from the ketamine experience are integrated, and a closing 50-minute therapy (non-ketamine) session. Throughout this process, the therapy delivered is focused on support, integrating insights, and identifying and reinforcing change as part of the therapeutic process.
Who is eligible for ketamine-assisted therapy?
Though research indicates that ketamine-assisted therapy may be effective for a number of mental health indications, Numinus is currently focused on addressing treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and trauma. If you have a patient suffering from one of those mental health conditions that is interested in ketamine-assisted therapy, our team will work directly with them to determine whether the patient is a good candidate for treatment by taking a full medical and psychological history. To be eligible for ketamine-assisted therapy at Numinus, ideally the patient is referred by their primary care providers, such as a family physician or nurse practitioner.
What are the contraindications of ketamine-assisted therapy?
Those conditions that may make ketamine-assisted therapy contraindicated (i.e., potentially unsafe) include, but are not limited to, sleep apnea, uncontrolled hypertension, a history of psychosis (e.g. hallucinations), mania, cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease, seizure, and severe liver disease. At present, youth, pregnant women and nursing mothers are not eligible for ketamine-assisted therapy since the effects of ketamine on pregnancy, nursing children, and youth are unknown. Additionally, the ketamine product monograph lists other risks which will be reviewed with all patients as part of an informed consent process at Numinus.
Click here to download the Numinus Psychedelic Treatments Referral Form
Completed Forms Should be Faxed To: (438) 858-4145
