Phone: (949)392-0159
Provides hope when traditional therapies have failed
Ketamine is what is known as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. NMDA receptors play a major role in depression. Ketamine infusion therapy works by encouraging and supporting neuron growth and restoring electrical activity in certain neurons that no longer work in the brain.
Lopez, J.P.; Lucken, M.D.; Brivio, E.; et. al.; Ketamine exerts its sustained antidepressant effects via cell-type-specific regulation of Kcnq2. Neuron. 2022 May 25;S0896-6273(22)00409-3. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.05.001.
Better known as a medication for general anesthesia, ketamine has been used safely with adults, adolecents, and children in operating rooms around the world for more than 50 years.
A compelling amount of evidence suggests when taken for mental health treatment in sub-anaesthetic doses, ketamine infusions can restore the damaged brain pathways that cause mood disorders. Patients suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum depression, fibromyalgia, OCD, and pain now have an alternative treatment option available.
It can take several weeks for traditional antidepressants to take effect. Ketamine works within hours to start proving you with much needed relief.
Ketamine has been shown to be effective for many who struggle to find relief with traditional antidepressants. Roughly one-third of patients will respond to their first oral antidepressant leaving two-thirds of patients who will need to find another option. A change in the class of antidepressant will sometimes work for the patient. This is why each patient’s care is tailored to his or her needs.
Traditional antidepressants can cause many side effects, including weight gain, sexual dysfunction, headaches, nausea, and restlessness. Ketamine treatment does not have any lasting side effects.
Click on each condition to learn more.
If you are currently being treated or think you may suffer from this condition, please call us to discuss your potential treatment options.
If you are currently being treated or think you may suffer from this condition, please call us to discuss your potential treatment options.
“I am so much better than I was before, and the greatest gift Ketamine has given me is hope. I adore the staff there more than you can imagine…Ketamine Wellness Clinic saved my life.”
“Recent data suggest that ketamine, given intravenously, might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades.”
Thomas Insel, Director National Institute of Mental Health (2002–2015)
Decades of clinical use proves it to be safe and effective.
Ketamine produces profound and rapid antidepressant effects in one to four hours.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7225830/
Ketamine works differently than traditional antidepressants and is often effective when SSRIs fail.
Psychedelics have the power to shape us in a profound & positive way and heal us through understanding and insight.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness. There are various forms of depression: major depression, clinical depression, postpartum depression, manic depression. All lead to behavioral or physical symptoms.
Symptoms of Depression
General Anxiety Disorder is an excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry about everyday routine events. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear or dread. The worry is often unrealistic or exaggerated and dominates the person’s thoughts and behavior.
Symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder. People with this disorder experience extreme mood swings from deep depression to extreme energized behavior (known as manic episodes).
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event. PTSD causes flashbacks or uncontrollable thoughts of the traumatic event, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Suicidal Ideation is defined by having a preoccupation with suicidal thoughts. These thoughts can be intensified when accompanied by mental illness such as depression or bipolar disorder. Active suicidal ideation involves not only a wish to die but also a plan of action to carry out the suicide. Passive suicidal ideation involves a desire to die with no specific plan.
Symptoms of Suicidal Ideation
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repeated thoughts, urges, and mental images that cause one to engage in ritualized, repeated behaviors. Some individuals may also experience a tic disorder—repeated, sudden muscle movements including sounds.
Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance. Substances can include such things as alcohol, tobacco, prescription, or illicit drugs. Persons with SUD have an intense focus on a substance(s) to the point where it affects a person’s ability to function in daily activities. People keep using the substance even when they know it is causing or will cause problems. The most severe SUDs are sometimes called addictions.
Signs of Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Some moms experience “baby blues,” which can happen during or after pregnancy and usually lasts a couple of days to a couple of weeks. However, there is a more severe and longer-lasting mood condition called, postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can cause persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, crying, paranoia, as well as guilt, or anxiety. Postpartum depression should be taken very seriously.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
A migraine is an intense, throbbing headache that usually affects one side of the head. Migraines are often triggered by environment, stress, hormones, and many other factors. Migraines occur most frequently in women and affect day to day activity.
Symptoms of Migraines / Headaches
Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition that leads to persistent, intense pain that can fluctuate throughout the day. Often due to injury or disease, the nerves involved within the sensory system send altered signals to other pain centers, including the brain and spinal cord. This disrupted communication can lead to sensations of numbness and pain.
Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain
A chronic pain condition that usually affects one limb and is most often caused by an injury. This pain is characterized as out of proportion to the original injury.
Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder that intensifies the way the brain processes pain, resulting in hypersensitive pain receptors. The results are widespread pain, fatigue, discomfort and “fibro fog” which impairs the ability to focus or pay attention.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Iris Mejia, RN, is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Hawaii Maui College. With 21 years of experience as a Labor and Delivery nurse, she developed a keen interest in mental health nursing. Her firsthand experience with ketamine infusion therapy led her to pursue her passion in this field.
Iris is dedicated to helping patients achieve their optimal well-being through compassionate care and evidence-based practices.
Outside of work, Iris enjoys practicing yoga, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Susan DeRobertis, BSN, BSN, PMHRN-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cal State Fullerton.
Susan’s commitment to mental health and wellness is driven by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those struggling with mood disorders. Having witnessed firsthand the limitations of traditional therapies for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood and chronic pain disorders, she is an advocate of ketamine infusion therapy as a transformative treatment option. Susan is passionate about supporting individuals and their families through their mental health journeys and continues to be excited when she sees firsthand the positive changes that ketamine therapy can bring.
Over the past decade, Susan has dedicated herself to providing care at the Mental Health and Wellness Institute at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. She is also a nursing instructor at the University of California, Irvine.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Susan is a devoted mother, a talented musician, and an avid live music fan. She finds joy in spending quality time with her daughters, traveling, and attending concerts.
