EntheoMed, Kelowna provides intramuscular KAT to encourage positive outcomes and support lasting change through all phases of recovery. Ketamine itself has many highly therapeutic effects on the brain. An ongoing treatment plan includes wellness services such as restorative yoga and holotropic breathwork.
Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 by Calvin Stevens, a professor of chemistry at Wayne State University. Ketamine is classified as a “dissociative anaesthetic” and has been used widely and safely as an anaesthetic and analgesic since the 1970s. It has the advantages of not suppressing respiration and blood pressure, as it is a mild stimulant rather than a depressant to the circulatory and motor system.
Ketamine has been demonstrated to be a rapid and robust treatment for treatment resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, eating disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Zarate et al published a seminal paper in this regard in 2006 and since this time there have been thousands of scientific papers supporting this use of ketamine. In this antidepressant treatment paradigm, ketamine is administered via IV infusion in biweekly treatments over 3-4 weeks without psychotherapy. This treatment paradigm has demonstrated equivalent efficacy to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for treatment resistant depression.
Ketamine has been known to have psychedelic properties since its discovery. This aspect of ketamine has often been viewed as a side effect. However, Ketamine has been studied for the purposes of psychedelic therapy in the treatment of alcoholism and opioid addiction since the 1990s.
Psychedelic psychotherapy has been studied for the treatment of addictions and end of life anxiety since the 1950s, however there was long period where scientific study was halted due to the prohibition of psychedelic medicines in the 1970s. Over the past few decades, research into this modality of therapy has resumed with very good initial evidence accumulating for its effectiveness for end of life depression and anxiety, PTSD, OCD, alcohol use disorder, eating disorder and treatment resistant depression.
At EntheoTech, we are offering a treatment paradigm with ketamine that takes advantage of both its antidepressant and its psychedelic properties, so as to offer the best possible outcomes for treatment resistant depression. Our approach begins with a psychiatric intake and preparation session, orienting the client to the psychedelic properties of the medicine so as to optimize the set and setting, and best harness the healing opportunities provided by these altered states of consciousness. We also offer mindfulness, mindful movement, and breathing workshops to support the integration of these experiences. The medicine sessions are delivered by intramuscular injection, in doses felt to be ideal to provide a psychedelic experience and the clients are supported by a skilled nurse and facilitator. We offer packages that include intake, preparation, and three medicine sessions with integration therapy sessions and adjunctive workshops provided between medicine sessions and after completion to support the ongoing integration of these experiences.
In summary, ketamine is a safe and effective medication which has been used for decades in the medical community. Ketamine is, on its own, an effective short term antidepressant with effectiveness for treatment resistant depression and is also an effective psychedelic agent that is well suited to provide psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, an emerging treatment modality for anxiety, PTSD, OCD, alcohol use disorder, eating disorder and treatment resistant depression.
At EntheoTech we are providing a cutting edge treatment for treatment resistant depression which harnesses all of these qualities of ketamine, as well as mindfulness, breathwork, and mindful movement. We invite you to consider this holistic and promising approach to the treatment of mental health concerns like treatment resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, alcohol use disorder and eating disorders.
Board-certified Anesthesiologist practicing since 2010. Taken on many administrative and leadership roles within her department at Kelowna General Hospital. She is actively involved in academics as a clinical faculty member at the University of British Columbia, teaching both medical students and residents.
Psychotherapist, Educator, and Presenter, specializing in Psychology, Mental Health and Trauma. Strong Communicator and Effective Liaison with Successful track record, bridging needs and community partners. Holistic and Natural Health Practitioner with 20+ years of Hands on Healing experience, passionate about providing Integrative Health and Wellness
Brittany Skusek is a Registered Nurse, Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher with over 10 years of experience in acute care nursing. She has studied around the world in various forms of holistic healing therapies, and her passion lies in weaving the science and western medical approaches, with alternative therapies to help people navigate through life with more ease, grace and love.
Supporting patients through all phases of recovery from depression, chronic pain, opioid cessation, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder
Psychedelic therapy can be a life-changing catalyst for patients with treatment resistant depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD and eating disorders. EntheoTech’s Odyssey Method is a holistic approach, ensuring patients undergoing intramuscular ketamine treatments are given ample support with preparatory / integratory psychotherapy, as well as coaching through mind-body tools that maintain wellness in between sessions.
Our research and protocols show dramatic efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and opioid cessation. Our approaches best support clients to reset their lives and change the trajectory of their disease.
Guided by a noble mission, we want to transform the patient experience in mental health care. As regulations evolve, our focus will be on psychoactive molecules to promote positive change in the global mental health crisis and the destigmatization of these medicines in the Okanagan and beyond.
Your safety and well-being continue to be our highest priority.
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety afflict one in four people, and the global economic impact is over $2.5 trillion annually.
Focused on the research and development of products and protocols to promote brain health, performance, and global wellness.
Grounded in cutting-edge science and the desire to heal and evolve our communities.
The path to lasting change is a big transition – and we support you every step of the way. Sign up to receive direct support from our medical team before you begin.
Ketamine-assisted therapy is the use of ketamine for the treatment of chronic pain, treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, and other conditions that affect mental health.
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist, and that accounts for many of its actions. The mechanism by which ketamine exerts its antidepressant effect is still being elucidated, and is undergoing much research. Studies show a statistically significant reduction in suicidality and depressive symptoms with the use of ketamine in sub-anesthetic doses.
It induces dissociative anesthesia, a trance-like state providing pain relief, sedation, and amnesia. The distinguishing features of ketamine anesthesia are preserved breathing and airway reflexes, stimulated heart function with increased blood pressure, and moderate bronchodilation.
For pain patients, ketamine can help ‘reset’ pain receptors to lower the frequency and intensity of pain signals over time. For mood disorder patients, ketamine has a number of therapeutic effects such as helping excite new neural pathways that improve mood, sleep, and more.
With psychotherapy and integration KAT may improve psychological flexibility so that patterns of behavior are modified in a positive way.
Yes. Ketamine has many legitimate uses in medicine as an anesthetic agent. It is also used to treat acute pain in an emergency setting. Ketamine is sometimes prescribed at low dose for severe chronic pain and is given intravenously, intramuscularly, intranasally, and sublingually for the treatment of major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and suicidality at medical clinics throughout North America and Europe.
Ketamine was originally developed as a fast-acting dissociative anesthetic. Ketamine-assisted therapy for treating pain and mood disorders is an “off-label” treatment, which means the medicine (ketamine) is being used to treat different conditions from the condition for which its use was originally approved. “Off-label” treatment is common practice throughout the world by medical professionals.
There is a good evidence base for using ketamine especially in treatment-resistant depression and rapidly decreasing suicidal ideation. This medication has been used safely for many years.
The cost of therapeutic KAT depends on several factors including the condition for which you are seeking treatment and insurance coverage. Pricing options will be discussed at your initial consultation.
Once you have been assessed by our medical team, you can be scheduled into our program.
When ketamine is administered in a closely monitored program with excellent medical and psychological oversight, the risk is low. However, in an uncontrolled recreational setting, there is a risk of addiction.
Some patients may feel tired, groggy, or experience mild nausea after a KAT session. Often these side effects will resolve on their own after a full night’s sleep.
Yes. The program requires a referral from your family doctor, pain specialist, or psychiatrist.
There are no known long-term side effects of receiving ketamine on a short-term basis in a medical setting.
The results of ketamine are often gradual improvements, rather than sudden or dramatic changes. Patients may need a series of treatments to gain longer-lasting effects.
That being said, ketamine-assisted therapy is considered the only rapid-acting treatment for depression. For patients with mood disorder, some will begin to feel better immediately after their first therapy session and this has been seen specifically in patients experiencing suicide ideation. Others will not notice significant relief until completing a series of treatments.
Clinical trials for KAT have shown positive results in over 70% of patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Mood disorder patients and pain patients normally receive a series of treatment: typically studies have suggested that six ketamine infusions of 3 weeks will provide varying short-term benefit. Our program offers the benefits of psychotherapy and integration support with three intramuscular ketamine treatments and several psychotherapy and integration sessions. KAT combines both the pharmaceutical benefits of ketamine with a supportive collaborative system of care that may have longer-term benefits. For patients who have had ketamine treatments in the past or are enrolled in a comprehensive care treatment, we can offer a custom stream.
Some patients are able to achieve long-term relief after one series of KAT. Others find that ongoing therapy enhances the effects of psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and/or pharmaceutical drugs such as antidepressants. Follow-up or ‘booster’ ketamine-assisted therapy sessions can be provided on an as-needed basis for maintenance.
Once you are comfortably seated in a reclined chair, you’ll be offered a blindfold, blanket, and soothing music to support your experience. You will be attended to by your Odyssey facilitator and medical staff so that you can feel safe to allow the experience to unfold comfortably.
You may experience tingling, euphoria, and a feeling of separation from the environment, your body, your problems, and your pain. Your sense of time and space may be significantly altered. You may feel yourself to be in this detached state for up to an hour after which you will be taken to a transition room where you will be provided with juice, water, or a light snack. Once the physician feels you are ready to go home, they will let your support person know that your treatment is completed.
Apart from water, we advise against eating or drinking for four hours before your appointment to avoid nausea.
You do not need to arrive with someone else, or have someone else present during your treatment. However, you must select a designated person to take you home after your appointment and that the medical staff can be in contact with for 24 hours following your treatment. We advise that your designated person supports you by creating a safe, non-intrusive, and comfortable environment when you get home. Your designated person will be educated regarding your treatment and be provided with contact information for medical staff.
We advise against operating machinery or a motor vehicle until the following day.
KAT is more successful when performed within a therapeutic context, and integration strategies are important to the healing process.
Our ketamine-assisted therapy includes a comprehensive aftercare program including a detailed list of lifestyle changes and integration strategies to help support your recovery. Ongoing questions and concerns can be directed to the psychotherapist by appointment.
A history of schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder, or any other addictions are currently exclusions. Please contact us to discuss further.
You will need to let us know about any medications you are currently taking, in particular:
Lamotrigine, (Lamictal), Benzodiazepines, including Xanax (Alprazolam), Ativan (Lorazepam), Valium (Diazepam), and Klonopin (Clonazepam): these decrease the effects of ketamine and may need to be stopped a few days prior and after the treatment.
Antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs): you may continue taking these during treatments.
Patients between the ages of 19 to 70 will be considered. The age range may expand as the program expands.
MSP – No, it is not covered under the provincial health plan.
Insurance – Insurance companies differ widely in their policies for reimbursement. We suggest checking with your provider ahead of time.
At the Ketamine Suite intramuscular ketamine is injected to induce a psychedelic experience that typically lasts about an hour. Ketamine leaves the body fairly quickly and has a half-life of one to three hours, meaning you can expect to go back to your normal activities the next day.
Intravenous ketamine is ideal for anesthesia because it is 100% bioavailable, meaning it is completely absorbed and used in the body. IV ketamine can also be infused slowly over 40 minutes to induce a psychedelic experience that can be beneficial for the treatment of depression and chronic pain.
Intramuscular ketamine is 75 – 93% bioavailable onset of the experience occurs within 2 to 5 minutes and lasts for about an hour.
You will typically return to a normal state of consciousness within an hour and half but it may take several hours for ketamine to completely leave your body. It is recommended that you return home to a calm environment to rest for the remainder of the day.
Yes, your doctor does need to fill this out. Referrals are required in BC, and it also helps to keep your doctor “in the loop” with your healthcare.
No. Our doctors cannot provide a prescription for any ketamine that is not used within the confines of our program.
There are standard Covid policies and procedures in place (masks, social distancing, disinfection of surfaces, etc.) We follow all rules according to the Provincial Health Authority mandates. Patients who are unvaccinated may be asked to provide a negative Rapid Test within 48 hours prior to treatment days.
We typically schedule two weeks in advance, however we hope to have the upcoming group schedules on our website very soon to help with planning. Expect up to two to three appointments per week for the duration of the program, one being virtual.
The Odyssey Method is the model of therapy that supports clients to understand and integrate the psychedelic experience that our team of medical professionals and doctors believe will provide the best outcomes.
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