Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine Therapy
If you still have questions after reading through these, you can give us a call any time Wednesday through Sunday, from 8:00 AM until 5:30 PM
, and we should be able to answer your questions right away: 425‑835‑2363
Who administers my ketamine infusion?
At Lighthouse Infusions, you will always be treated by our licensed anesthesia provider, Liana Ren, from start to finish! We know that every person has their own unique physiology and reacts to medication differently, which is why we never take a cookie-cutter approach to patient care. Liana will be able to modify your treatment depending on how your body reacts so that we may treat you most effectively and give you the best experience possible.
Where will I receive my ketamine infusion?
Our goal is to deliver life‑changing treatments with the utmost safety, but that doesn't mean we need to do it in an uncomfortable setting. At Lighthouse Infusions, you will always have a private, spa‑like treatment room! Each infusion room features a comfortable recliner, and has diffuse, customizable lighting to suit your mood. Several of our infusion rooms even feature a stunning view overlooking Lake Washington!
What actually happens at a ketamine infusion appointment?
We begin every appointment by talking with you about how you are feeling, how you felt after your previous infusion, and any changes we can make to improve your experience. You will be connected to equipment that will monitor your vital signs during the infusion, and then we will start your IV. You will relax in a comfortable recliner while receiving your infusion, during which you can look out over the lake, close your eyes, and/or listen to music. Once your infusion finishes, you will remain in the recliner to rest while the medication wears off. Once you are ready, you will have someone drive you home.
How will I feel during a ketamine infusion?
During the infusion, you might feel somewhat of a "floating" sensation. Although some patients enjoy the sensation, for others it can create a sense of anxiety. As a skilled anesthesia provider, Liana has an array of medications available that she can use to help prevent or alleviate any unpleasant side effects you may experience during your infusion. Because most pain conditions require higher doses and longer infusions, we usually offer propofol sedation for a more comfortable experience.
Is ketamine a psychedelic?
Yes. Ketamine is classified as a disassociative, a sedative, and a psychedelic. While research is still ongoing into the mechanisms of action that make ketamine such an effective treatment, many believe that the psychedelic experience is integral to the neurological and mental health benefits.
What dose of ketamine will I receive during my infusion?
Here at Lighthouse Infusions & Seattle Ketamine, we treat you as a person not a protocol. All our infusions are custom tailored to each individual patient. How much you receive will depend on a number of factors, including the condition for which you are seeking treatment, your weight, your individual physiology, as well as your needs and preferences. Because everyone's brain chemistry is different, we will typically start you out with a moderate dose for your first infusion (around 0.5–0.6mg/kg) both for safety, and to allow you to get used to how it feels. We will then increase your dose in subsequent appointments until we find an optimal therapeutic dose that works for you.
How long does a ketamine infusion take?
After your IV is started, the medication will be administered at a steady rate over the course of 40‑minutes. After the infusion is over, you will begin to recover quickly, but will remain in the chair for 10–20 minutes while you recover. You can expect to be at the clinic for about 1½ hours total.
How many ketamine infusions will I need?
It depends on the condition(s) for which you are seeking treatment. For most conditions we treat, you will typically need a series of six infusions over the course of four weeks, with boosters (a single infusion) generally necessary every 1–3 months thereafter.
Do I need to space out the ketamine treatments, or can they be back‑to‑back?
You can have ketamine infusions on consecutive days without issue. While some people insist on having a day or two in between infusions, we have not found that having a "gap day" makes any difference in the efficacy of the treatment. Far more important is the overall timing of the infusions. As long as you are receiving six infusions over the course of 2–4 weeks, the precise spacing of those infusions is less critical. We do not recommend gaps of more than 9 days between infusions. Our usual recommendation is two infusions the 1st week, two infusions the 2nd week, one infusion the 3rd week, and one infusion the 4th week, but we can modify that schedule as necessary.
How long does ketamine therapy last?
After your initial loading dose of 6 infusions, most people will need to come back every 1–2 months for booster infusions, though some patients have found that they can go as long as 3 months before symptoms start to reoccur. We typically recommend getting your first booster after 4 weeks, and increasing the interval between subsequent infusions until you find the longest you can go between boosters and still maintain a relief from symptoms. As the effects of ketamine are cumulative, we recommend not going more than 3 months between booster, otherwise you might require more than one infusion to restore efficacy.
Can I try one infusion and see if it works?
To get started with ketamine therapy, you really need a series of 6 infusions spread out over 2–4 weeks. Because the effects of ketamine therapy are cumulative it can take several infusions before you start to feel a relief from symptoms. While most patients start to feel better after their 3rd or 4th infusion, some patients are more resistant, and don't feel relief until the 5th or even 6th infusion. Also, even if you were to experience relief after the 1st infusion (rare, but it does happen), it's unlikely to last more than a few days, so you really need the full loading dose to be able to go a month or more between boosters.
Will ketamine help with my condition?
Ketamine has extremely high efficacy of around 70% for most of the conditions we treat. For many people with life‑altering conditions, ketamine allows them to resume normal activities and reclaim their lives.
Do I need to stop taking my other medications before trying ketamine therapy?
No. In fact, there is evidence that ketamine therapy can work in tandem with some medications to more successfully treat certain conditions. It can occasionally even help patients "get over the hump", and allow their other medications to finally work effectively for them. While there are not many medications that are contraindicated, there are a small number that can reduce the effectiveness of ketamine therapy. During your intake call, Liana will ask you about what other medications you are taking, to rule out any contraindications, and talk to you about your options if any of them could reduce the effectiveness of ketamine therapy. Please do not discontinue any medication without talking to your prescribing provider first!
Will someone need to drive me home after ketamine therapy?
Yes, you must have someone drive you home after your infusion. While it's usually best to have a friend or family member drive you home, you are welcome to take a taxi/Uber/Lyft if you want. You are welcome to get TO the clinic by taking the bus, riding a bike, or walking, but you must have someone drive you home afterwards. Because you should not drive for the rest of the day after receiving ketamine, please don't drive to the clinic, as we can't have people leaving their cars in the parking lot overnight.
How much does it cost?
The cost for a 40-minute ketamine infusion (1½ hour appointment) is $450. We accept most forms of payment, including cash, check, credit cards, debit cards, health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), as well as contactless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc. Payment is required before each treatment. You can find more details here.
Do you take insurance?
No. We do not bill any insurance directly, and require payment before each infusion. We will provide you with a superbill that you can use to seek reimbursement from your insurer, but we have no control over how much, if any, your insurance company might reimburse. We are happy to provide you with the information you might need, but we do not deal with insurance at all, so pre‑authorizations or anything else will be entirely the responsibility of the patient. You can read more here.
What are the risks of ketamine therapy?
While no medical treatment is without risks, the safety of ketamine has been well established since the FDA first approved it as an anesthetic in 1970. As an anesthesia provider with decades of experience, Liana has a wealth of knowledge, and the skill necessary to administer your infusion in the safest manner possible. She will be the one starting your IV, and the person in the room with you, closely monitoring your condition throughout the treatment.
What are the alternatives to ketamine therapy?
Ketamine is highly effective for most people, but no treatment is 100% effective for every patient. While we specialize in safely administering an often life‑changing medication, we are not set up to diagnose conditions or offer other treatments. We always recommend that patients continue to see their pain specialist, primary care, or mental health provider, and to explore all the treatment options available.
How do I get started with IV ketamine infusion therapy?
Just give us a call (425‑835‑2363) and Eli can answer most of your questions right away. We are available any time Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. We are happy to tell you more about the treatments we offer, as well as answer most of your questions the first time you talk with us. You won't hear any sales pitches, just honest answers to your questions. We want to help you make the best decision about your health, whether that involves coming to us or not. If, after talking with us, you feel you are ready to move forward, we can also get you scheduled for an intake call with Liana. During the intake phone call, she will ask you questions about your medical history to rule out any contraindications or safety issues, as well as give you a chance to ask any specific clinical questions Eli was not able to answer previously. You can read more about getting started with ketamine therapy on this page.
Do I need a referral to start ketamine therapy?
No, we do not require a referral, but we will need documentation of a diagnosis. Being a treatment center, we do not make diagnoses, so we'll need something showing that you have been diagnosed with one or more of the conditions that we treat. Usually the easiest method is to ask your provider fill out this form (it's a fillable PDF). Once it's been completed, you can email it to us as an attachment (our email is HIPAA‑compliant), or have your provider email/fax it to us directly. We can also accept medical records, or even records from your patient portal (eg. MyChart), assuming they show your diagnosis codes or your specific diagnoses. Alternatively, we can send you a release of information form (ROI) to fill out, allowing us to contact your provider's office to request records/diagnosis information on your behalf. You can read more about the intake process here.
Do you accept transfer patients for ketamine therapy?
Of course! If you've received ketamine therapy at another clinic, and are just looking to get boosters or maintenance infusions, we are happy to provide care at our facility. We have many patients who have transferred to us, either because they were dissatisfied with their previous clinic, or because they moved to the Seattle area from somewhere else. To get started, just give us a call (425‑835‑2363), and Eli can answer your questions, as well as get you scheduled for an intake call with Liana.