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Finding ketamine therapy Costa Mesa residents can access should begin by contacting local clinics to discuss your specific situation and treatment options, and scheduling consultations to determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate for your needs. Ketamine therapy for mood disorders is a specialized treatment that requires medical supervision. Southern California mental health clinics typically use ketamine to treat conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders when traditional treatments haven’t been effective. Before pursuing ketamine treatment, potential patients understand the costs and research the specific clinic’s credentials and approach to this emerging mental health treatment.
Ketamine does have addiction potential, though it’s considered to have a lower risk compared to substances like opioids when used in medical settings under proper supervision. Studies suggest that when ketamine is used therapeutically for depression under medical supervision, the addiction risk appears to be relatively low. However, the long-term effects of repeated therapeutic ketamine use are still being studied.
Risk factors to consider include:
Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants, which is why it can be effective for treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine blocks NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in the brain, which are involved in glutamate signaling. This is entirely different from traditional antidepressants that work on serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine systems.
By blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine appears to promote the growth of new neural connections and strengthen existing ones. This process, called neuroplasticity, may help rewire depressed brain circuits. Ketamine increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron growth and survival. Depression is often associated with reduced BDNF levels.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to work, ketamine often produces antidepressant effects within hours to days. This rapid action is thought to be due to its immediate impact on glutamate signaling and the subsequent cascade of neurobiological changes. Ketamine has shown particular promise for people who haven’t responded to multiple traditional antidepressants.
Medical ketamine treatment for military PTSD and other conditions usually involves:
The unique mechanism makes ketamine a valuable option when other treatments haven’t worked, though it requires careful medical supervision due to its psychoactive effects.
Undergoing ketamine therapy in Costa Mesa varies between individuals, but there are common elements people typically report during treatment sessions. The outpatient mental health program is generally well-tolerated when properly supervised, and most people find it manageable, even if initially unusual.
The number of ketamine sessions varies significantly based on individual factors, but there are general treatment patterns that most clinics follow. Most treatment centers start with six sessions over 2–3 weeks, typically 2–3 treatments per week during the initial phase. The standard induction series is usually six infusions, with treatments spaced 2–3 days apart. The FDA-approved protocol involves twice-weekly therapies for the first month, then weekly treatments.
Some people notice improvement after 1–3 sessions, while others may not see significant changes until 4–6 treatments. Response timing varies greatly; some experience rapid progress, while others need the complete initial series to see benefits. If the initial series is effective, most people transition to maintenance treatments. This might involve sessions every 2–4 weeks or sometimes monthly.
Most clinics evaluate your progress after the initial 6-session series to determine if ketamine is working for you and what maintenance schedule might be appropriate. Some people need periodic “booster” series if benefits decrease over time.
Moment of Clarity operates multiple specialized ketamine clinics in the Costa Mesa/Orange County area, offering various treatment approaches for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders. For help finding Ketamine therapy Costa Mesa residents can access, contact Moment of Clarity at 949-625-0564 to learn about our personalized and effective outpatient mental health programs today.
