Dr. Jeff Ditzell went to intensive training with one of the top Anesthesiologists at the Ketamine Institute. He was trained in using ketamine to treat patients with the proper dosing and scheduling and to feel comfortable and competent in using this treatment modality. In his own psychiatry practice Dr. Ditzell has treated numerous patients with Ketamine IV Infusions and due to the intensive training he underwent has made him extremely well-versed in the use of Ketamine Treatments for Severe Depression and PTSD. 

Debunking the myth of “Ketamine the horse tranquilizer,” let’s hear the truth.

There is a lot of stigmas surrounding the use of Ketamine. Is it a horse tranquilizer, a party drug, or can it be an effective treatment for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression? While Ketamine is used by veterinarians as a horse tranquilizer, it was actually approved by the FDA in 1970 and is used in hospitals and dental offices today on a daily basis. Ketamine is safer to take rather than other anesthetics because when you take it at low doses it does not suppress your breathing or lower blood pressure. “Ketamine is safer to administer than other types of anesthetic agents” according to the World Health Organization. 

List of medicines that animals take

A lot of the medications that you know and take today are actually the same ones that are given to animals, the differences come in the dosage given. Here is a list of some of the medications that animals take that you may recognize: 

• Aspirin (Pain reliever and fever reducer) 
• Amoxicillin (Antibiotic used to treat a lot of bacterial infections) 
• Prilosec (Used to treat Gerd and other conditions caused by increased stomach acid) 
• Heparin (prevents blood clots) 
• Albuterol (Is used to prevent and treat wheezing and shortness of breath) 

As you can see with the list stated above, our four-legged friends take a lot of the same medications as you and me, and they also need to go through the FDA for approval.  

What is considered to be the “safe” dosage for Ketamine treatments on humans?

The starting dosage is different for every patient because it is due to factors such as age, weight, According to JAMA Psychiatry in, A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders, the dose of ketamine hydrochloride typically used in the treatment of mood disorders (0.5mg/kg per 40minutes IV) does not appear to have significant effects on the respiratory status of healthy individuals or patients with depression who are otherwise generally medically healthy. 

Why humans are using Ketamine Treatments

Although Ketamine has been approved by the FDA since the 1970s, Ketamine has become increasingly popular in later years due to its ability to combat treatment-resistant depression. Meaning: People who have tried at least 2 antidepressants without getting relief may be able to try Ketamine IV Therapy for treating depression. We treat our patients with a safe dosage of Ketamine IV Infusion Therapy meant for humans, in a clinical setting, and the results have been tremendous and have increased the quality of life in a great number of our patients. 

Ketamine Treatment FAQ