IV Racemic Ketamine Infusion Therapy

IV Racemic Ketamine Infusion Therapy involves administering ketamine directly into the bloodstream through an IV line. This method allows for precise dosing and rapid absorption, with patients receiving a series of 40-50 minute infusions in a comfortable, medically supervised setting.

IV Racemic Ketamine has been shown to provide quick relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders, often within hours of the first treatment and with peak effects noted 24 hours after the infusion.

Spravato (Esketamine) Nasal Spray:

Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray form of esketamine, a type of ketamine, used for treatment-resistant depression along with an oral antidepressant.
Patients self-administer the nasal spray under medical supervision during 2-hour treatment sessions.

Spravato has been shown to provide rapid relief from depression symptoms, with many patients experiencing improvements with their first treatment.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

KAP combines the transformative effects of ketamine treatments by oral troche with the support of psychotherapy to make meaningful insights.

Insurance Coverage

Ketamine Nasal Spray- Esketamine (Spravato®)

Esketamine (Spravato) is covered by most insurance plans. If Dr. Calico finds you to be a good candidate for this treatment she will fight with your Insurance Company in hopes of getting the medication approved for you.
Multiple prior authorizations have been submitted to insurance companies on behalf of her patients to obtain Esketamine therapy for them. Unfortunately, due to the insurance companies misguided priorities, patient care often comes second to the insurance companies desire to save money.
It has been Dr. Calico’s experience that more than 50% of her patients are denied coverage by their Insurance Companies for “Spravato” Esketamine. Even though, at the time of submission for benefits, the patients clinically meet all the requirements for this life-saving treatment.

Ketamine Infusions

Having seen the need for more Ketamine treatment options, Dr. Calico also offers IV Ketamine infusions, as well as other Specialty Pharmacy Compounded Ketamine Therapies which can be prescribed by Dr Calico and given to the patient without pre-approval from the patient’s insurance company. These various Ketamine treatments are considered Out-of-Network therapies and payment is due at the time of your appointment.
Treatment cost is $500/session with the recommendation for 6 sessions over 2-3 weeks. We offer booster infusions as well. Following the treatments, you are given a Superbill which can be submitted to your insurance company for potential reimbursement for the treatments paid out of pocket.

Understanding the Healing Process Behind Ketamine Infusion

How Ketamine Therapy Works

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used safely in medical settings for decades. At therapeutic doses, it can alter perception of sight and sound and create a temporary sense of detachment from one’s surroundings. In clinical practice, it is administered as a short-acting injectable medication under medical supervision.

In recent years, ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as an off-label treatment option for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, particularly for individuals who have not responded to traditional medications. To fully benefit from this treatment, it is important to understand how the healing process unfolds.

Unlike conventional antidepressants, which primarily target serotonin or related neurotransmitters, ketamine acts on NMDA receptors in the brain. These receptors play a central role in mood regulation and synaptic plasticity. By modulating this system, ketamine can rapidly increase neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and strengthen new neural connections.

This enhanced plasticity creates an opportunity for change. In many mood disorders, neural pathways associated with negative thinking and emotional distress become reinforced over time. Ketamine appears to disrupt these rigid patterns and support the development of healthier neural connections.

During and shortly after an infusion, patients may experience perceptual changes or a sense of detachment. These effects are temporary and typically resolve within a few hours. The more meaningful therapeutic effects often emerge in the days that follow, when mood, motivation, and cognitive flexibility begin to improve. This post-infusion period is especially important for reinforcing positive change.

Neuroplasticity: The Core of the Healing Process

Neuroplasticity is central to recovery after ketamine infusion. When the brain becomes more flexible, patients are better able to shift long-standing patterns of negative thinking, avoidance, or emotional reactivity.

This window of increased receptivity makes therapeutic engagement especially valuable. Interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and other structured psychotherapies can be more effective during this period. The brain is primed to form new, healthier pathways.

Understanding this process helps patients take an active role in their recovery. Ketamine is not a stand-alone cure. It creates an opportunity. Long-term improvement depends on how that opportunity is used. Setting goals, practicing self-care, and consistently engaging in supportive therapies all contribute to sustained results.

The healing process is both biological and behavioral. Ketamine initiates rapid neurochemical changes. Ongoing effort consolidates those changes into meaningful psychological growth.

Ketamine Therapy: Step-by-Step

Ketamine therapy is a structured, multi-stage process designed to ensure safety, effectiveness, and continuity of care.

Before Treatment

Consultation and Evaluation
Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation. Medical history, psychiatric history, current medications, and overall health are reviewed to determine whether ketamine therapy is appropriate. Full disclosure of medications and supplements is essential to avoid interactions.

Setting Expectations
Clear expectations are critical. Patients should understand potential benefits, possible side effects, and the fact that results vary. Ketamine can provide rapid relief for some individuals, but it is not a guaranteed or permanent solution without continued care.

Preparation
Patients are typically advised to avoid food and drink for several hours prior to infusion to reduce nausea. Comfortable clothing and a calm environment afterward are recommended. Arranging transportation home is also necessary.

During Treatment

The Infusion
Ketamine is administered intravenously in a monitored clinical setting. Infusions typically last 40 to 60 minutes. Dosage is calculated based on weight and clinical factors.

Patients may experience dissociation, altered perception, emotional intensity, or a floating sensation. These effects are expected and temporary.

Monitoring and Support
Vital signs are continuously monitored. Medical staff remain present to ensure safety and provide reassurance. If strong emotions arise, supportive guidance is available.

After the Infusion

The First 24 Hours

Patients may feel fatigued, mildly disoriented, or emotionally reflective for several hours. These effects usually resolve the same day. Some individuals notice mood improvement quickly, while others experience gradual change over several days.

Rest is recommended. Avoid driving, strenuous activity, or high-demand tasks for the remainder of the day.

Aftercare Recommendations

Prioritize Physical Recovery
Adequate sleep, hydration, and balanced nutrition support neurological recovery.

Engage in Therapy
The days following treatment are ideal for psychotherapy. The increased neuroplasticity can enhance insight, emotional processing, and behavioral change.

Monitor Mood and Functioning
Tracking mood, sleep, and thought patterns can help guide follow-up care. Scheduled appointments allow providers to adjust treatment as needed.

Avoid Alcohol and Recreational Substances
Substances that affect the central nervous system may interfere with therapeutic progress.

Build Support
Family, friends, or peer support groups can provide accountability and encouragement.

Set Practical Goals
Small, achievable goals reinforce forward movement and help translate neurological changes into real-life progress.

Plan for Continuity
Many patients require a series of infusions followed by maintenance treatments. Ongoing evaluation ensures treatment remains aligned with evolving needs.

Ketamine therapy is not a single event. It is a structured process that combines medical treatment with behavioral integration.

How to Maximize the Benefits of Ketamine Therapy

Optimal outcomes depend on preparation, engagement, and follow-through.

Prepare Intentionally

Educate yourself about the treatment process. Clarify your goals with your provider. Strengthen physical health through consistent sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

Stay Engaged During Treatment

Approach the experience with openness rather than resistance. Maintain clear communication with your provider. A strong therapeutic alliance improves outcomes.

Focus on Integration

The post-treatment period is critical. Journaling, therapy sessions, mindfulness, and structured reflection help solidify insights gained during infusion.

Sustainable improvement requires lifestyle alignment. Healthy routines, reduced substance use, and meaningful daily activities reinforce progress.

Ketamine can create momentum. Long-term change depends on how that momentum is directed.

Aftercare FAQs

Ketamine therapy offers a meaningful opportunity for neurological and psychological change. When approached with preparation, clinical oversight, and consistent follow-through, it can serve as a powerful component of a comprehensive mental health treatment plan.