Ketamine Therapy in Alexandria VA
Personalized Medical Care

A: Ketamine therapy uses low-dose ketamine to help rewire neural pathways in the brain, offering rapid relief for depression, anxiety, complex PTSD, OCD, and chronic pain when other treatments have failed.

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. Our ketamine therapy sessions are conducted with ICU-grade monitoring to ensure your well-being. Zahida Samat, NP, personally oversees every session, tailoring treatments for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. We perform thorough pre-treatment evaluations and adjust dosages in real-time to meet your unique needs. Rest assured, you're in expert hands every step of the way.

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.

Common and temporary side effects include dissociation, altered perception, mild nausea, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure during the infusion. These typically resolve within 30–60 minutes after treatment. Serious adverse events are rare, particularly when treatment is administered by an experienced medical provider like our board-certified NP. You will need a driver for IV and IM sessions and should plan to rest afterwards.

Legal Status of Ketamine Therapy at Z&Z Wellness Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance approved by the FDA for use as an anesthetic. At Z&Z Wellness, licensed clinicians prescribe compounded ketamine products off-label for certain mental health and chronic pain conditions when clinically appropriate. This off-label prescribing is legal under federal and Virginia law when: - Performed by DEA-licensed healthcare providers - Following thorough patient evaluation and informed consent - With appropriate medical oversight and monitoring Compounded ketamine products are not FDA-approved for psychiatric disorders and have not been evaluated by FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality prior to marketing. All Z&Z Wellness ketamine treatments occur under clinical supervision. Clinical outcomes and success rates 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(undefined) 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(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(undefined) 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

Z&Z Wellness is a transparent, cash-pay clinic. IV ketamine sessions start at competitive rates for the Northern Virginia area, and we offer package pricing for the standard 6-session protocol. We also offer a 10% military and veteran discount. Exact pricing is listed on our Pricing page.(https://www.zzketamineivhydra.com/pricing) We believe you should know exactly what you're paying — no hidden fees, no surprise bills. Most health insurance plans do not currently cover ketamine infusions for mental health conditions, as it remains off-label for psychiatric use. Z&Z Wellness is a cash-pay practice, meaning we do not bill insurance directly. However, many patients use their HSA or FSA funds to cover treatment costs — see below for details. We provide detailed superbills upon request if you wish to pursue out-of-network reimbursement from your insurer.

Ketamine therapy may be appropriate for adults experiencing treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar depression, or chronic pain conditions who have not achieved adequate relief from conventional treatments. It may not be appropriate for individuals with active psychosis, uncontrolled hypertension, certain heart conditions, or a history of substance use disorders involving dissociatives. A thorough consultation with our provider will determine if you are a good candidate.

Results vary by individual and condition. Many patients experience relief for weeks to several months after a standard series of six infusions. Combining ketamine therapy with ongoing psychotherapy (ketamine-assisted psychotherapy or KAP) tends to produce longer-lasting outcomes. Maintenance sessions — typically one infusion every 4–8 weeks — can help sustain benefits over time. We partner with therapists at Conscious Collective to support your integration process.

Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that, at sub-anesthetic doses, has shown significant benefits for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. It works by blocking NMDA receptors and stimulating AMPA receptors, which promotes neuroplasticity — essentially helping your brain form new, healthier neural pathways. At Z&Z Wellness in Alexandria VA, we offer IV, IM, and oral ketamine protocols tailored to your specific condition and goals.