Ketamine Clinics Nashville, TN

Ketamine Clinic Nashville, TN 

What are ketamine clinics in Nashville?

Ketamine is most well-known as an anesthetic that has been used in hospitals since 1960. However, extensive research over the last two decades has shown that Ketamine can be effective in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, and addictions. Beyond that, it is believed to minimize suicidal thoughts within 24 hours and fewer side effects compared to other antidepressants. Due to its healing potential and efficacy in 70%-80% of depressed patients, many Ketamine clinics started opening across the country including in Nashville.

Ketamine clinics are a judgment-free, compassionate environment where people receive innovative treatment for their mental health conditions, and pain disorders on an outpatient basis. Ketamine clinics are typically run by anesthesiologists or psychiatrists and staffed by professionally trained psychologists, therapists, and registered nurses. Every patient receives an individualized treatment protocol and is monitored for weeks or months after the sessions are over to ensure they are able to go on without any relapse to depressed conditions.

Ketamine treatment may vary in approach between clinics. Some clinics offer a standard course of 6 sessions of 40 minutes to 1 hour each, while some may extend the time-frame to maximize the therapeutic effect. Ketamine may also be administered in a variety of ways including IV, IM, PO infusions, lozenges, oral mints as well as Spravato, an FDA-approved nasal spray.. Unlike infusion therapy which is not covered by federal or state-funded insurance plans, Spravato is eligible for coverage, so the patient may access treatment at a significantly cheaper price.

Ketamine treatment is a revolutionary treatment, however, it is not a good fit for every particular case. Patients with active psychosis, pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as patients with uncontrolled blood pressure, should seek another modality to manage their mental health conditions. 

What is ketamine therapy or ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in 2021? (KAP)

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a cutting edge treatment to help patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and other mental health conditions. It consists of the administration of Ketamine and individualized, and compassionate work provided by the psychotherapist. The Ketamine allows the patient to uncover their trauma memories or negative patterns while the psychotherapist engages the patient in unobtrusive conversations and guides them on their sensations, and experiences. With the help of KAP, the patient may find relief, and discover new insights that will help them live healthily. 

A typical course of KAP is 6 sessions (3 hours each), however, it may last longer depending on the severity of the patient’s depression. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, KAP is linked to higher response and long-lasting changes that help the patient to keep sustained effect longer.

Unfortunately, KAP is not currently available in Nashville.

What are the Best Ketamine Clinics in Nashville?

There are currently 5 Ketamine clinics in Nashville you may refer to receive treatment.

Cumberland Ketamine

• Managed by Keenan Williams, APRN, CRNA.
• Their Ketamine clinic offers IV infusions for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, migraines, neuropathic pain, phantom limb pain, rheumatoid arthritis.
• The cost per the first infusion is $550, all the following are $500. Pain infusions cost $900.
• Servicing Clarksville.

Ketamine Wellness Infusions

• Managed by Amy Begley, MS, CRNA, APRN.
• This Ketamine clinic offers IV infusions for depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, chronic pain, CRPS, anxiety, OCD.
• $1900 is the cost per 6 infusions for mental health conditions treatment. $2400 is the cost per 6 infusions for pain conditions treatments.
• Servicing Mount Juliet.

Thrive Wellness

• Their Ketamine clinic offers IV infusions for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, migraine, cancer pain.
• They also offer NAD IV Therapy and IV Vitamins.
• The cost per infusion may vary.
• Servicing Brentwood.

AMG Ketamine and Wellness Center

• Managed by Randall Malchow, MD.
• Their Ketamine clinic offers IV infusions for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, opioid reduction/cessation.
• They also offer Spravato.
• The cost per infusion and Spravato may vary.
• Servicing Franklin.

Tennessee Ketamine Clinic

• Managed by Rigoberto Sierra-Anderson, MD, and Erin Brockway, MD.
• This Ketamine clinic offers IV infusions for mood disorders, OCD, chronic pain, CRPS, migraines.
• The cost per infusion may vary.
• Servicing Franklin.
• Contact information - (615) 750-2087.

Physicians Urgent Care

• Managed by Amanda Roth, MBA, BSN, RN.
• Their Ketamine clinic offers IV infusions for depression, OCD, PTSD, anxiety.
• The cost per infusion is $399.
• Servicing Brentwood.

How is this list of ketamine clinics chosen? 

These Ketamine clinics in Nashville are verified and recommended by the American Society of Ketamine Physicians.

What treatments do Ketamine Clinics provide? 

Ketamine clinics in Nashville offer IV infusions, and Spravato for mental health conditions, and pain conditions treatments.

Ketamine for depression 

The following studies have been conducted:

• Behind the Buzz: How Ketamine Changes the Depressed Patient's Brain, 2019
• Ketamine Stirs Up Hope—and Controversy—as a Depression Drug, 2018

Ketamine for anxiety 

The following studies have been conducted:

• Improvement in suicidal ideation after ketamine infusion: Relationship to reductions in depression and anxiety, 2014
• Safety and efficacy of maintenance ketamine treatment in patients with treatment-refractory generalised anxiety and social anxiety disorders, 2018

Ketamine for PTSD

The following studies have been conducted:

• Synaptic Loss and the Pathophysiology of PTSD: Implications for Ketamine as a Prototype Novel Therapeutic, 2017
• Efficacy of intravenous ketamine for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized clinical trial, 2014

Ketamine for OCD 

The following studies have been conducted:

• Effects of ketamine in treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder, 2012
• Glutamatergic agents for OCD and related disorders, 2015

Ketamine for bipolar disorder

The following studies have been conducted:

• Rapid infusion of esketamine for unipolar and bipolar depression: a retrospective chart review, 2017
• Replication of ketamine's antidepressant efficacy in bipolar depression: a randomized controlled add-on trial, 2012

Ketamine for chronic pain 

The following studies have been conducted:

• The Effect of Ketamine Infusion in the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: a Systemic Review and Meta-analysis, 2018
• Ketamine produces effective and long-term pain relief in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1, 2009

Ketamine assisted therapy or psychotherapy

The following studied have been conducted: 

• Ketamine-Enhanced Psychotherapy: Preliminary Clinical Observations on its Effects in Treating Death Anxiety, 2007
• Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development, 2018

Some Ketamine clinics in Nashville may also provide additional mental health services, such as:

• Psychiatry
• EMDR
• TMS
• Holistic and alternative treatments

What happens during the sessions in Nashville Ketamine Clinic?

Ketamine treatment starts with the consultation by the clinician who assesses the patient’s eligibility for infusion sessions. The patients and clinician set goals, intentions, and discuss concerns. After the patient is ready to proceed with the session, the therapist and/or a registered nurse checks their vitals including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, while a clinician tailors the dosage. If the vitals are okay, the patient is escorted to the treatment room where the Ketamine is administered. The patient may cover the eyes or listen to relaxing music, and then relax into the session. During the session, the clinician always monitors the patient’s response to the anesthetic and alleviates any side effects with designated treatments. 

When the session is over, the patient spends time relaxing and recovering from the side effects of the anesthetic. They typically vanish within 10-15 minutes after the session is over. After they are discharged back home, however, there should be a designated driver or a support person who will drive them as the anesthetic may impair driving ability, concentration, and/or alertness.

How long is a typical session for IV? 

Ketamine treatment may take 40 minutes to 1 hour for mental health IV infusions, and 3 to 5 hours for pain IV infusions.

How long is a typical session for intramuscular? 

Ketamine treatment may take 40 minutes to 1 hour for mental health IM infusions, and 3 to 5 hours for pain IM infusions.

What will I feel during the session in Nashville Ketamine Clinics?

During the sessions of Ketamine treatment, the patients are awake or in a dream-like state. They are aware of their surroundings but may experience a feeling like they are traveling outside their bodies or to space. Some patients also report sensitivity to light and sound, lost track of time, lightheadedness, or fluttery feelings. A small number of patients may also experience hallucinations, and some find their experience intolerable due to awakened trauma memories. The clinician promptly addresses these sensations.

How much do Ketamine infusions cost in Nashville, TN?

Ketamine treatment may vary in cost among clinics. The starting price per mental health infusions is $399, while for pain infusions is $900. Contact your preferred Ketamine clinic to learn the pricing.

How can I find it if I can be eligible for insurance coverage?

Ketamine treatment is not covered by federal or state-funded insurance plans except for Spravato where it is offered. Contact the preferred Ketamine clinic to learn about your eligibility for any discounts if you are a veteran or first-aid responder. Beyond that, ask whether the clinic works with the Advance Care program which offers savings. 

Does Ketamine therapy intervene with my current treatment plan?

Ketamine treatment is not a good fit for everyone, as it may intervene with their current treatment plans. Patients who take MAOIs, SSRIs, relaxants, opioids may not be recommended to undergo infusion therapy, as these medications may alter the efficacy of anesthetic and/or cause severe side effects. Disclose the full list of medication, health supplements, herbs you take, or took over the last two weeks prior to starting the sessions.

What are the risks of Ketamine treatment in Nashville, TN?

Ketamine treatment is safe and effective, but like all medications, side effects may occur,  including nausea, blurred vision, hallucinations, anxiety and/or fear attacks, sensitivity to light and sound, headaches among others. These side effects are promptly managed by the clinician. Beyond that, they have a short-term nature and usually vanish within 10-15 minutes after the session is over. 

After the session of Ketamine treatment is over, the patient should abstain from driving, as the anesthetic alters the driving ability.

What to look for in a good Ketamine clinic?

Please refer to our in-depth article about Ketamine therapy for more information