What Is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine was synthesized in 1962 and initially developed as a short-acting anesthetic. After receiving FDA approval in 1970, ketamine became widely used in medical settings, including as an anesthetic for wounded soldiers during the Vietnam War. Ketamine can produce a temporary dissociative experience, in which a person may experience changes in perception, awareness, or a sense of detachment from their surroundings. These effects vary depending on the dose, route of administration, and individual response.

Over the years, researchers have investigated ketamine’s potential role in mental health treatment, particularly for people with treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine has also been studied for conditions including anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, although these uses are not FDA-approved indications for ketamine itself. Esketamine, a related medication, is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression under specific conditions. When ketamine is considered for mental health treatment, careful medical evaluation and appropriate supervision are important. At Bay Area Ketamine Center, Dr. Paul Wender, MD, provides personalized evaluations and medically supervised ketamine treatment based on each patient’s symptoms, treatment history, health considerations, and individual goals.

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, ketamine therapy is generally intended for patients who are 18 years of age or older. Age is only one part of determining whether someone is an appropriate candidate. Before treatment, the clinical team reviews the patient’s medical history, current symptoms, previous treatments, medications, and other health factors to determine whether IV ketamine therapy can be provided safely and appropriately.

Ketamine therapy is typically not recommended for individuals under 18 because its effects on the developing brain and its safety and effectiveness in younger patients have not been as thoroughly established. Exceptional cases may require individualized medical consideration, but treatment decisions are made carefully and with appropriate safeguards. Adults interested in IV ketamine therapy can schedule a consultation at Bay Area Ketamine Center to determine whether treatment is suitable for their specific needs.

The appropriate IV ketamine dose is determined on an individual basis after a thorough medical evaluation. The clinical team may consider factors such as body weight, age, overall health, mental health symptoms, treatment history, current medications, and previous responses to ketamine or other treatments. Medical history and potential risk factors are also reviewed to help establish an appropriate treatment approach rather than using the same dose for every patient.

During IV ketamine treatment, medical professionals monitor the patient’s vital signs and overall response throughout the infusion. Depending on how the patient responds, the clinical team may make adjustments to the treatment plan for future sessions. This careful monitoring helps the team balance the intended therapeutic effects with patient comfort and safety.

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, Dr. Paul Wender, MD, evaluates each patient’s individual circumstances before recommending IV ketamine treatment. Our team provides medically supervised care and considers each patient’s health history, treatment goals, and response to therapy when developing an individualized treatment plan.

Between IV ketamine therapy sessions, patients can track changes in mood, anxiety, motivation, sleep, concentration, energy, and daily functioning. Keeping a simple record of symptoms can help identify patterns and provide useful information about how symptoms change over time. It can also be helpful to note how long any perceived improvements last and whether certain symptoms return before the next session.

Patients should also record any physical or emotional effects they notice after treatment, including changes in appetite, sleep, dizziness, nausea, or feelings of detachment. Tracking these experiences, along with medications, therapy sessions, and significant changes in daily routines, can give the treatment team a clearer picture of the overall treatment experience. Any concerning or unexpected symptoms should be discussed with the medical team rather than waiting until the next scheduled session.

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, Dr. Paul Wender, MD, considers patients’ symptoms, treatment responses, and individual goals when evaluating progress during IV ketamine therapy. Our team encourages patients to communicate changes they notice between sessions so treatment recommendations can be appropriately individualized. Regular follow-up and open communication help Dr. Paul Wender, MD, and the team at Bay Area Ketamine Center provide medically supervised care based on each patient’s ongoing needs.

Patients from Los Altos and nearby Bay Area communities may choose Dr. Paul Wender, MD, for IV ketamine therapy because of his extensive background in anesthesiology, pain management, and ketamine infusion care. His clinical experience allows him to evaluate each patient carefully and develop an individualized treatment approach based on medical history, symptoms, previous treatments, and personal goals. IV ketamine therapy is administered in a monitored clinical setting with attention to patient comfort and safety throughout each infusion.

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, Dr. Wender provides care for patients traveling from Los Altos, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Stanford, Atherton, Loyola, and other surrounding Bay Area communities. The clinic focuses on physician-guided IV ketamine therapy with personalized treatment planning and ongoing evaluation, helping patients better understand what to expect before, during, and after treatment. Contact us today for more information or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 746 Altos Oaks Drive Suite B, Los Altos, CA 94024. We serve patients from Los Altos CA, Sunnyvale CA, Palo Alto CA, Atherton CA, Cupertino CA, Santa Clara CA, Mountain View CA, the Bay Area, and surrounding areas.