Hello,
This is Dr Justin Yanuck MD and I’ve given myself 10 minutes to answer this patient question. This week’s question centers on the safety of ketamine
Question: “Can you tell me what I need to know about ketamine therapy?”
Answer:
Ketamine Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Anaheim, CA: A Physician’s Perspective
By Dr. Justin Yanuck, MD
Medical Director, Renew Ketamine Infusion
If you’re reading this, you may be searching for ketamine therapy in Anaheim because traditional mental health treatments haven’t worked the way you hoped. Many of the patients I see every week arrive feeling discouraged, exhausted, and unsure what options remain. My goal here is to answer the most common questions people ask about ketamine, and to explain how we use it safely, thoughtfully, and effectively.
What Is Ketamine Therapy, Really?
Ketamine is not new. It has been used in hospitals for decades. What is relatively new is how we use ketamine at much lower doses to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders—especially when standard medications haven’t helped.
Unlike antidepressants that can take weeks to work, ketamine targets the brain’s glutamate system, which plays a key role in mood regulation and neuroplasticity. In simple terms, ketamine helps the brain form healthier connections more quickly.
At Renew Ketamine Infusion, located near Anaheim and serving patients across Orange County, ketamine is delivered intravenously in a medical setting, with continuous monitoring and individualized dosing.
What Conditions Can Ketamine Help Treat?
Most of the people we see come in for:
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Major depressive disorder
- PTSD
- Severe anxiety
- Bipolar depression (depressive phase)
- Persistent suicidal thoughts
If you’ve tried multiple medications, therapy, or even advanced treatments without lasting relief, ketamine may be worth considering.
How Fast Does Ketamine Work?
This is one of the most searched questions—and understandably so.
Some patients notice improvement within hours or days of their first infusion. Others experience a gradual lift over a short series of treatments. Compared to traditional antidepressants, ketamine works much faster, though it is not a one-time fix.
Most evidence-based protocols include an initial series of infusions followed by maintenance treatments as needed.
Is Ketamine Safe?
When administered in a medical clinic by trained professionals, ketamine is considered safe and well tolerated.
During every infusion, we monitor:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Oxygen levels
- Overall comfort and response
Short-term side effects can include dissociation, lightheadedness, or nausea, but these typically resolve within hours. Patients are never sedated or unconscious.
Is Ketamine Addictive?
This is another common concern.
Ketamine can be misused recreationally, but medical ketamine therapy is very different. Doses are controlled, treatments are spaced out, and everything happens under physician supervision. Research and clinical experience show that patients treated responsibly for depression do not develop addiction patterns.
We carefully screen every patient to ensure ketamine is appropriate.
What Does a Ketamine Infusion Feel Like?
Most patients describe feeling temporarily detached from their usual thought patterns. Many find that negative or intrusive thoughts lose their intensity.
People often report:
- A sense of mental quiet
- Emotional distance from distress
- Increased clarity or perspective
These effects are temporary, but they often create an opening for meaningful psychological change.
How Long Do the Benefits Last?
This varies. Some patients experience relief lasting weeks or months. Others benefit from periodic maintenance infusions.
Ketamine works best when combined with ongoing mental health care. The goal is not just symptom relief but helping you reengage with your life during a window when your brain is more flexible and responsive.
Is Ketamine FDA-Approved for Depression?
Intravenous ketamine is used off-label, which is common in medicine and supported by substantial research. A related medication, esketamine (Spravato), is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression, further validating this approach.
Why Patients from Anaheim Choose Renew Ketamine Infusion
Patients come to us from Anaheim and throughout Orange County because we emphasize:
- Physician-led care
- Individualized treatment plans
- Insurance Coverage
- Medical oversight and safety
- Collaboration with therapists and psychiatrists
Ketamine should never be offered as a shortcut or a promise. It requires careful evaluation, clear expectations, and ethical medical judgment.
Is Ketamine Right for You?
Ketamine isn’t for everyone. But if you feel stuck, hopeless, or worn down by years of ineffective treatment, it may offer a new direction.
The first step is a comprehensive consultation. Together, we determine whether ketamine makes sense for your specific situation.
You don’t have to keep doing this alone.
Ok, my 10 minutes is up. Hope that was helpful, as always, reach out anytime with questions, I’m happy to answer all questions regarding ketamine. You can reach me at info@renewketamineinfusion.com or book a free consultation at renewketamineinfusion.com
Cheers,
Dr. Justin Yanuck, MD
Renew Ketamine Infusion
Tustin, San Juan Capistrano, and Seal Beach
