Ketamine Treatment
in Mexico for Depression & Anxiety
What is Ketamine Treatment?
The drug known as ketamine is has been found to have antidepressant effects in some people, which is why it has become a popular treatment option for people with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It works by increasing the levels of a NMDA neurotransmitter called glutamate which are observed to have a positive impact on the communication between neurons. As a powerful hallucinogenic, research and FDA guidelines indicate that ketamine should be prescribed by a qualified mental health professional to avoid abuse or improper use.
Ketamine treatment is typically administered as an intravenous or intramuscular injection by a qualified medical professional, and the benefits can last from 1 week up to 1 month. Ketamine has been found to have a number of potential benefits, including its ability to quickly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as its potential to treat chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What can ketamine treat?
Why is ketamine used as a treatment for depression and anxiety?
How to get ketamine treatment in Mexico
Before you are given any ketamine treatments, your doctor will carry out a comprehensive consultation and appropriate in-depth blood tests to determine the root cause of your symptoms and the extent of the treatment needed. Using additional clinical protocols and holistic treatments, to restore the harmonic balance to the brain’s neurotransmitters and receptors, some patients experience freedom from these symptoms for the first time in years.
Does ketamine work? What does the research say?
‘‘"I suddenly felt energy that I hadn't felt literally in years… Just because I had tried several antidepressants and one of them had worked, that didn't mean that I was incurable, that I was never going to feel better."
In the 1960s, ketamine was used for its sedative properties. But it was discovered that some patients reported improvements in their mood after receiving ketamine.
And so began an era of research in the 2000s to uncover the potential benefits for treating depression and other mood-altering health conditions.
Studies conducted in 2019, 2020, and 2022 have found that multiple IV infusions of ketamine over several days provided antidepressant benefits that helped participants successfully manage depression symptoms for up to 1 month. In the more recent 2022 study of participants who had treatment-resistant depression, patients reported a significant decrease in symptoms unlike any other treatment had accomplished before!
In addition to treating treatment-resistant depression and other mental health disorders, ketamine has also been found to be effective in treating chronic pain, including neuropathic pain. In some cases, ketamine has been found to be more effective than traditional pain relief medications, such as opioids.
Additionally, ketamine has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as it can help to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories. Ketamine therapy is also being studied for its potential to treat substance use disorders, such as alcohol and opioid addiction. While the research is still in its early stages, some studies have found that ketamine can help to reduce cravings and other withdrawal symptoms associated with addiction.
‘‘"[Patients] with depression evidenced significant improvement in depressive symptoms within 72 hours after ketamine but not placebo infusion."
Frequently Asked Questions about Ketamine
- Can you buy ketamine in Mexico?
Yes, patients can buy ketamine in Mexico and receive this therapy at our clinics in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. Contact a member of our medical team to learn how to receive this treatment.
- What are the side effects of ketamine therapy? Ketamine therapy is generally considered to be safe when regulated and administered by a qualified medical professional, but like any medication, it can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects of ketamine therapy include dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, and confusion. In some cases, ketamine can also cause hallucinations, disorientation, and impaired judgment, which can be dangerous.
Additionally, there is a risk of addiction with ketamine use, so it is important to use it only as directed by a medical professional. Abuse or improper use can lead to serious problems, even death.
- Is ketamine a street drug? Ketamine is abused as a common street drug known as “Special K” which can be abused as a date-rape drug. For these factors, it is considered illegal to possess ketamine without a prescription from a medical professional.
- Is ketamine legal in Mexico? Yes, ketamine is legal in Mexico when provided by a qualified medical professional.
- Who is a candidate for ketamine therapy? A candidate for ketamine therapy is typically someone who is suffering from depression, anxiety, or chronic pain and has not found relief through other treatments.
- What should I avoid before ketamine treatment? 3 hours before treatment, patients must not use marijuana, alcohol, or any other drugs. Patients should not eat or drink 3 hours before the treatment.
Do not take sleep medication the night before treatment. Benadryl and THC could lessen the benefit of Ketamine; if you are having difficulty sleeping, you may take melatonin, Valeria, Ashwagandha, L-theanine, etc.
- How much does ketamine cost in Mexico? The cost of ketamine in Mexico is typically 50-80% lower than costs in the USA. In the USA, ketamine costs upwards of $500 USD per dose. This makes specialty clinics like Holistic Bio Spa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico an attractive medical tourism destination.
- Does insurance cover the cost of ketamine treatment? The nasal spray SPRAVATO® is the only treatment that insurance companies typically cover. Some insurance companies may cover the cost of oral, intravenous, or intramuscular injection ketamine treatment, but it is best to check with your provider to confirm.
- Where should you seek help if you are having suicidal thoughts? If you are having suicidal thoughts, you should seek help from a mental health professional or contact a crisis hotline.
- Who should not take ketamine? Ketamine should not be taken by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, has a known hypersensitivity to the drug, or has a history of psychosis. It should also not be taken by people under the age of 18, people who are currently taking certain medicines, or people with certain medical conditions.
- What is the research on ketamine for treating mental health disorders?
Clinical studies and research on the effect of ketamine as an antidepressant is abundant and very promising. The following sources were referenced for this article:
- Berman, R M et al. “Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients.” Biological psychiatry vol. 47,4 (2000): 351-4. doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00230-9
- Comprehensive assessment of side effects associated with a single dose of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. Acevedo-Diaz EE, Cavanaugh GW, Greenstein D, Kraus C, Kadriu B, Zarate CA Jr, Park LT. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.028, Nov. 10, 2019, Journal of Affective Disorders
- Side Effects Mild, Brief with Single Antidepressant Dose of Intravenous Ketamine https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2019/side-effects-mild-brief-with-single-antidepressant-dose-of-intravenous-ketamine
- Rosenbaum SB, Gupta V, Patel P, et al. Ketamine. [Updated 2022 Nov 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470357/
- Dai, D., Miller, C., Valdivia, V. et al. Neurocognitive effects of repeated ketamine infusion treatments in patients with treatment resistant depression: a retrospective chart review. BMC Psychiatry 22, 140 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03789-3
- Mandal, Suprio et al. “Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression.” Indian journal of psychiatry vol. 61,5 (2019): 480-485. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_484_18
- Shiroma, P.R., Thuras, P., Wels, J. et al. A randomized, double-blind, active placebo-controlled study of efficacy, safety, and durability of repeated vs single subanesthetic ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Transl Psychiatry 10, 206 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-00897-0
- 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 https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/depression/clinical-effectiveness-intravenous-racemic-ketamine-treatment-resistant-depression-suicidal-ideation-generalized-anxiety-symptoms/
- Jaffe, D.H., Rive, B. & Denee, T.R. The humanistic and economic burden of treatment-resistant depression in Europe: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 19, 247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2222-4
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In addition to his national recognition, Dr. Fernandez is awaiting international certification from the renowned International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). Membership in this prestigious organization signifies Dr. Fernandez's extensive experience and expertise in stem cell treatments. The ISSCR includes prominent scientists from renowned universities such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and other esteemed institutions worldwide. Being a part of this elite society represents the pinnacle of honor and prestige in the field of stem cell therapies.
Furthermore, Dr. Fernandez is also seeking membership and international certification from the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV), the largest community of extracellular vesicle researchers globally. With only two thousand members worldwide, ISEV's select nature underscores Dr. Fernandez's exceptional dedication to advancing scientific knowledge in the study of exosomes and cellular messengers. By pursuing membership in ISEV, Dr. Fernandez continues to demonstrate his commitment to staying at the forefront of research and innovation in the field of regenerative medicine.
Dr. Esli Pérez graduated with a Medicine degree from the University of Guadalajara with experience in alternative medicine techniques such as medical Biomagnetism, aromatherapy, and Schüssler salts, and is currently studying Emotional Biodecoding.
Her next personal challenge is to study for a master's degree in Regenerative Medicine.
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