Ketamine

Clinical therapy for anxiety and depression.

What is ketamine therapy?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can rapidly relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. 
Ketamine is widely known for its psychedelic effects which can open the mind up to new perspectives and insights buried deep in the subconscious.
But ketamine can also profoundly affect the biology of the brain by stimulating new neural connections. Major stress and depression weaken synaptic connections, making it more difficult for regions of the brain to communicate. Low-dose ketamine treatments restore impacted or dormant neural circuits by triggering the production of Glutamate, which subsequently promotes BDNF, a protein that encourages neuroplasticity in the brain.

Clinical Results 1

brunette woman with head held upwards toward the sun and closed eyes.
After 6 weeks
50% response rate
20% remission rate
50% of patients with suicidal ideation achieve remission after 6 weeks
After 10 weeks
72% response rate
38% remission rate

Ketamine Experience

No two ketamine experiences are the exact same. But generally people feel a sense of complete peace and calm.
You may feel as if you are floating through a dream or surrounded by bright colors. Or you may find that you feel a sense of dissociation, almost as if you have stepped outside of yourself and are detached from your body, thoughts, and memories. This dissociation creates space for you to experience yourself and your relationships from a new perspective.

Testimonials

Ketamine Therapy Treatment Protocols

Available only after the evaluation with our psychiatrist; the medical intake is billed as a separate fee or can be billed to insurance. All below integration therapy packages are self-pay.
While single Ketamine sessions are effective, a concentrated course of 6 sessions in 3-4 weeks combined with integration therapy to fully process your journeys have been proven in multiple independent clinical trials to provide the most significant and lasting relief.
We have designed two recommended Hudson protocols to guide you on the path to sustainable relief.

Hudson Protocol

Integration Support Package

Recommended
Program Price: $4,050
Includes:
  • Integration prep session with provider
  • 6 Ketamine infusions
  • 1 integration follow up per 2 infusions over the course of 3 consecutive weeks
Total:
  • 6 ketamine infusions
  • 4 integration therapy sessions

Advanced Hudson Protocol

Extra Integration Support

Program Price: $4,450
Includes:
  • Integration prep session with provider
  • 6 Ketamine infusions
  • 1 integration follow up after every infusion over the course of 3 or 6 (depending on timing recommending) weeks.
Total:
  • 6 ketamine infusions
  • 7 integration therapy sessions

À La Carte Services

Ketamine

Ketamine (only) Package

Full Course

Program Price: $3,300

Includes:
  • 6 Ketamine infusions
  • Discounted price: We encourage you to concentrate your therapy over 3-4 weeks as this is the most studied course for sustainable results

Single Ketamine Infusion

Program Price: $550

Integration Therapy

Integration Therapy

Preparation Session

Price: $250

Includes:
  • Session to help prepare for IV Ketamine or other treatments offered
  • If applicable, this includes a discussion with your existing therapist to ensure continuity of care

Integration Therapy

Individual Follow Up Session*

Price: $200

Includes:
  • A la carte follow up session
  • *Cannot be purchased if you have not had a preparation session already

Common Questions

Ketamine therapy is available from our office in the heart of NYC. We do not offer at-home treatments. Our in-office team follows strict safety protocols to ensure your wellbeing and comfort throughout each ketamine therapy session. 

Ketamine therapy patients often report dissociative effects during their treatments, but dissociation may manifest differently from patient to patient. Some patients experience a sense of detachment from their bodies, as though they are viewing themselves from a new vantage point. Other patients report experiencing a dream-like state, including changes in sensory perception, like weightlessness and visual distortions. 

Both intramuscular (IM) ketamine and intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy have proven beneficial for treatment-resistant conditions. However, intravenous ketamine (infusions) have a more rapid onset that intramuscular ketamine injections. Additionally, IV ketamine may offer more tailored dosage control as clinicians can adjust dosage during your treatment. 

When used under strict medical supervision, ketamine is not considered to be highly addictive. But ketamine has the potential for misuse, and subsequently addiction, when it is taken recreationally or not under medical supervision. And some animal studies indicate that repeated low-dose infusions may elicit addictive responses. People with a history of drug addiction may be more likely to develop an addiction. 

If you are interested in exploring ketamine therapy for a treatment-resistant condition, it is vital to seek out doctors who complete thorough medical screenings and closely monitor your progress and response to ketamine. 

How long does ketamine stay in your system?

The duration that ketamine stays in the system can vary based on several factors, including the method of administration, dosage, and individual metabolism.

For a single dose, ketamine has a relatively short half-life of approximately 2.5 hours.[1] However, its primary metabolite, norketamine, can be detected for a longer period. According to a study by Adamowicz and Kala, ketamine can be detected in urine for up to 11 days, and norketamine for up to 14 days following a single therapeutic administration.

Ketamine therapy for depression and treatment-resistant conditions is typically not covered by insurance. However, Spravato esketamine nasal spray is FDA-approved and may be covered by insurance depending on your carrier and plan. 

Treatment rates may vary based on location. We offer several different packages for our ketamine in NYC services, including advanced protocols and ketamine integration packages. See our pricing page for a detailed breakdown. 

Ketamine relieves symptoms of depression through mechanisms involving increased glutamate release, enhanced synaptic plasticity, and dissociative effects that facilitate neural circuit recalibration and mental flexibility.

Activates Glutamate: Ketamine affects the glutamate system by blocking NMDA receptors on GABAergic interneurons, leading to increased glutamate release and subsequent activation of AMPA receptors. This activation enhances synaptic plasticity and contributes to rapid antidepressant effects.

Strengthens Synapses: Chronic depression is associated with weakened synaptic connections in brain regions involved in mood regulation. By increasing glutamate release and activating AMPA receptors, ketamine enhances synaptic plasticity and promotes the formation of new synapses, thereby improving communication between these brain regions.

Dissociative Effects: Ketamine’s dissociative properties, which result from its NMDA receptor antagonism, can disrupt maladaptive neural circuits and create a “time window of mental flexibility.” This allows for the recalibration of neural circuits and can lead to rapid antidepressant effects. The dissociative experience may also help patients gain new perspectives on their life and access insights that contribute to therapeutic outcomes.

Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used in medicine since it was first approved by the FDA in 1970. Ketamine’s profound effects Ketamine therapy is safe when administered under the guidance of certified clinicians. Our clinical staff follows protocols that meet the highest safety standards. 

Some patients do experience unwanted side effects, like nausea, elevated blood pressure, and heart rate changes. These side effects typically subside within hours of your treatment.  

There is no way to guarantee a positive dissociative experience. However there are things we can do beforehand to set you up for success. Oftentimes, anxiety about the ketamine experience can lead to what is known as a “bad trip,” exacerbating feelings of distress and paranoia. We always recommend patients spend some time setting their intentions before a session, as this can induce a calmer and more open mindset. 

Environment also plays a significant role in the ketamine experience. Here at Hudson Mind, our patients receive ketamine in a minimal room, intentionally designed with comfortable furniture and soft lighting. 

A k-hole refers to such intense feelings of dissociation that it becomes difficult to speak and control your body, which can create a scary sense of powerlessness. Our clinical team oversees your IV during your ketamine therapy session to monitor appropriate dosing for you and your body. 




*Please note: Fidelis Medicaid plan does not cover TMS.

Ketamine therapy has shown promise in the treatment of bipolar disorder, particularly for bipolar depression, however further research is needed to establish long-term efficacy. Several studies have demonstrated its rapid antidepressant effects and its ability to alleviate symptoms such as suicidal ideation, anhedonia, and anxiety.

In a real-world observational study, Fancy et al. reported that repeated ketamine infusions led to statistically and clinically significant reductions in depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression. The study also observed functional improvements and noted that the infusions were generally well-tolerated.

Most conventional antidepressants can be safely combined with ketamine treatment for bipolar disorder, however, it is important to disclose your full medical history (including current medications) during your consultation as some medications (benzodiazepines and lamotrigine) may interact with ketamine and affect its therapeutic outcomes.

  1. Oliver, Patrick A., et al. “Clinical Effectiveness of Intravenous Racemic Ketamine Infusions in a Large Community Sample of Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Generalized Anxiety Symptoms: A Retrospective Chart Review.” Psychiatrist.Com, 19 Dec. 2022, www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/depression/clinical-effectiveness-intravenous-racemic-ketamine-treatment-resistant-depression-suicidal-ideation-generalized-anxiety-symptoms/.

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