Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is an innovative treatment method that combines the proven method of psychotherapy with the ketamine-infused opening of the mind. This combination enables the patient to release deep-seated emotional blockages and gain new perspectives, which can lead to a faster and more lasting improvement in symptoms.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy consists of several sessions. As a rule, a ketamine infusion is administered first, followed by a psychotherapeutic session. The sessions can be individually adapted to the patient’s needs.
Why ketamine in psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy uses the anesthetic ketamine in lower doses to induce an altered state of consciousness in a safe environment. Ketamine reduces depressive and anxious states, the stress tolerance window is larger and patients find it easier to open up, allowing them to experience themselves in a new and different way. The use of ketamine as part of psychotherapy leads to more compassion for oneself, more clarity and serenity. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy integrates various psychotherapeutic methods to facilitate new experiences and integrate unprocessed memories.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has been increasingly used in recent years for the treatment of severe depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders, as well as (complex) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction. As ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, it is ideal for combining with other therapeutic procedures.
How does ketamine-assisted psychotherapy work?
Ketamine inhibits the activity of the NMDA receptor in the brain. This leads to an increase in the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mood, cognition and pain. The ketamine-infused opening of the mind increases the brain’s neuroplasticity, i.e. the brain’s ability to change and reconnect. This allows the patient to have new experiences and change negative behavioral patterns.
Various treatments can be used in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, all of which are based on attachment and polyvagal theory:
- Hypnosis
- IFS (systemic therapy with inner personality parts)
- body-oriented techniques
- Attachment and polyvagal theory
- Psychotraumatology
Medical conditions :
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be used for a variety of mental illnesses and we achieve good results with mental illnesses such as
Combination with other therapies:
As ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, it is ideal for combining with other therapeutic procedures to intensify their effectiveness. The therapies are always individually adapted to the patient. Possible combination therapies include
rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation):
rTMS stimulates the neuroplasticity of the brain and can thus enhance the effect of the ketamine infusions.
Neurofeedback:
Neurofeedback enables patients to see their brain activity in real time and learn to regulate it themselves.
Psychotherapy:
Psychotherapy can help patients to understand the causes of their illness and develop new coping strategies.
What makes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy so special?
- Rapid and lasting effect: Ketamine infusions can provide rapid symptom relief for treatment-resistant depression and other mental illnesses. In combination with psychotherapy, this effect can be intensified and stabilized in the long term.
- Deep psychological work: The ketamine-infused opening of the mind enables the patient to access and work on deeper emotional layers.
- New perspectives: Ketamine can enable new ways of thinking and perspectives that can break the vicious circle of negative thought patterns.
- Personal development: Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can not only help to alleviate symptoms, but also promote the patient’s personal development.
Side effects and risks of Ketamine assisted psychotherapy:
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a promising new treatment method for patients with depression and other mental illnesses. Instituto Dr. Scheib offers a high-quality and individually tailored therapy that can give patients new hope for healing and improvement.
Ketamine infusions are generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include an increase in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches, which usually subside after a short time. The frequency of unpleasant side effects in our setting is less than 4%. If unpleasant side effects occur, the infusion is stopped and the phenomena disappear within a few minutes. This is the great advantage of IV infusions, which are easy to control and whose drip rate can be adapted to the patient’s condition.
Instituto Dr. Scheib:
Instituto Dr. Scheib on Mallorca is one of the leading clinics in Europe for the provision of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. The institute has an experienced team of doctors, psychotherapists and psychiatrists who work closely together to offer patients the best possible treatment.
Mario Scheib, MD
Specialist in psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy
In addition to my work as a general practitioner and emergency doctor, in-service training in psychotherapy, hypnosis and psychoanalysis. Conducting training and research projects on transcultural psychosomatics and the history of psychotherapy in Sri Lanka and South America.
- Since 1995, training and further education institute for doctors on Mallorca.
- Since 2002, private clinic for psychotherapy, psychosomatics and addiction medicine on Mallorca.
- From 2020 – 2023, additional practices in Munich and Berlin.
- Since 2015, use of ketamine as part of a multimodal therapy model with intensive psychotherapy, hypnosis and brain stimulation procedures.