Ketamine Therapy
Alexandria VA

Sub-anesthetic ketamine therapy at Z&Z Wellness offers rapid relief for mental health conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. It can also improve quality of life for chronic pain sufferers by reducing hyperalgesia and opioid needs. Ketamine works by modulating neurotransmitters to create new brain pathways, leading to quick and lasting improvements in mood and mental clarity. Many patients notice significant relief within hours to days, with results maintained through booster sessions as needed. This therapy is a key part of our mission to revolutionize mental health treatment.

At Z&Z Wellness, your safety is our top priority. We use advanced ICU-grade monitoring during every ketamine session to ensure your well-being. Ketamine therapy is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and is also used for chronic pain and other mood disorders. Our personalized approach adjusts dosing based on your real-time response, ensuring maximum benefit and minimal side effects. Before starting therapy, you'll undergo a comprehensive evaluation to confirm your candidacy. Our licensed nurse practitioners provide continuous oversight throughout your treatment. We are committed to delivering compassionate, science-backed care to help you regain balance and peace of mind.

At Z&Z Wellness, we offer ketamine therapy administered through three different methods: Intravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM), and Oral (PO). Each method has unique characteristics that may suit different patient needs. Below is a side-by-side comparison of these administration methods:

IV (Intravenous) Rapid (within minutes) | High (>90%) | Clinic. Acute situations where immediate effect is desired, such as severe depression or suicidal ideation.

IM (Intramuscular) Intermediate (5-10 minutes) | Moderate (~60%) | Clinic. Moderate to severe mental health conditions where slightly slower onset is acceptable. Can be more convenient in some home settings with proper guidance.

PO (Oral) Slow (30-60 minutes) | Low (~20%) | Home. Situation best for Ketamine Assisted Pschyotherapy (KAP). Mild to moderate conditions, maintenance therapy, or cases where a less invasive method is preferred.

Each method has its advantages based on the patient's specific condition and needs. Our professional team at Z&Z Wellness will work closely with you to determine the best administration route to achieve optimal results in your mental health journey.

While ketamine therapy is generally well-tolerated, some side effects may occur. These can include nausea, dizziness, mild hallucinations, increased heart rate, or elevated blood pressure. At Z&Z Wellness, we closely monitor you throughout your session to manage any side effects. Nausea can be treated with antiemetic medications, and dizziness usually subsides as the effects of ketamine wear off. Our tranquil setting and supportive staff help alleviate any distress from hallucinations. Any changes in heart rate or blood pressure are promptly addressed to ensure your comfort and safety. Your well-being is our top priority.

Relief for Chronic Pain

A controlled clinical study from UCLA suggests that ketamine may provide meaningful relief for chronic pain exacerbations. Highlights its potential role as an alternative when conventional treatments fall short.

—Schmid RL, Sandler AN, Katz J. A controlled comparison of ketamine with placebo in the treatment of chronic pain. Pain. 1999;82(2):111–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3959(99)00044-5

Groundbreaking Clinical Trial on Ketamine for Depression

In a landmark randomized controlled trial, researchers found that a single infusion of ketamine produced rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant major depression—often within hours, with sustained improvement lasting up to a week. — Zarate CA Jr, Singh JB, Carlson PJ, et al. A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63(8):856–864. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.63.8.856

Rapid Relief for Treatment-Resistant Depression

"Ketamine is effective in treatment-resistant depression, with significant improvements often seen within hours or days of administration." — Abdallah CG, et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2019;176(5):327–338. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18070834

How Ketamine Rewires the Brain

“Ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects are linked to its ability to enhance brain plasticity and increase neurotrophic factors like BDNF.” — Deyama S, Duman RS. Neurotrophic mechanisms underlying the rapid and sustained antidepressant actions of ketamine. Neuron. 2020;106(5):689-703 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2020.05.018

Clinical Outcomes & Success Rates

Evidence from multiple clinical trials demonstrates:

• Treatment-resistant depression: 70-80% of patients show clinically significant improvement within 7 days

• Anxiety disorders: 65% of treatment-resistant cases experience rapid symptom reduction

• Chronic pain conditions: 60-75% achieve meaningful pain relief when integrated with comprehensive care

• Onset of action: Relief typically begins within hours to days, not weeks

• Duration of benefits: Sustained improvement lasting weeks to months with appropriate maintenance protocols

Based on systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, 2018-2023