Recently, Dr. Jennifer Ellice had the good fortune to be featured on the Kevin Rose Podcast. After meeting with him in his studio, Kevin came into Golden Afternoon to undergo a ketamine infusion on camera, which you can see in the embedded video.
Ketamine is emerging as a groundbreaking treatment for mental health, with potential to reshape how we approach conditions like depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Originally introduced in the 1970s as an anesthetic for both humans and animals, ketamine has found a new purpose in mental health. Its unique properties make it not only safe but also potentially life-changing for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Unlike other sedatives, ketamine doesn’t lower heart rate or depress breathing, which contributes to its safety profile, especially in controlled clinical settings.
Kevin Rose remarked, "When I first announced on Twitter that I had gone through ketamine therapy, I received a wide range of reactions, from supportive messages to harsh criticism." This sentiment illustrates the polarizing yet hopeful landscape that ketamine treatment currently occupies in public perception.
Dr. Jennifer Ellice, an emergency medicine physician and founder of a ketamine clinic, shared her perspective on its use, providing insight into how ketamine has transformed her patients' lives. For over two decades, Dr. Ellice utilized ketamine for emergency room patients, often for sedation, and was fascinated by its impact on patients’ emotional well-being. Patients—even in emergency situations—would emerge from sedation more relaxed, joyful, and seemingly unburdened. This prompted her to delve into ketamine's potential for treating mood disorders.
Dr. Ellice reflected, "I used to see people instantly transformed after one dose—smiling, relaxed, as if a burden had been lifted. This fascinated me and led me to explore ketamine's applications beyond emergency sedation."
Ketamine, as Dr. Jenn explains, works in two main ways—first, through its psychedelic-like experience (commonly called a ‘trip’), and second, by promoting neuroplasticity. During treatment, patients often feel a sense of dissociation, where they experience a removal from their regular thoughts and feelings. This detachment allows them to see their problems or past traumas from a new perspective, akin to viewing themselves from above or from a distance. In essence, it can help patients see their lives and issues through an entirely different lens, which can lead to profound emotional breakthroughs.
Kevin Rose noted during his treatment, "I felt like my entire body was twisting in the chair, but I knew I wasn't actually moving...It was a strange but enlightening experience that made me see things differently."
The other key mechanism is neuroplasticity—essentially rewiring the brain. After receiving ketamine, the brain enters a period of heightened neuroplasticity, allowing it to form new connections more easily. This process helps patients break free from entrenched negative thought patterns, forming new, healthier mental pathways. Neuroplasticity can be particularly powerful in treatment-resistant depression, where traditional medications like SSRIs have often failed.
Dr. Ellice explained, "For about 24 to 72 hours after each infusion, your brain has increased neuroplasticity, similar to how children's brains are more malleable. This allows for breaking negative cycles and forming new, positive connections."
The safety of ketamine is underlined by the controlled, careful approach Dr. Ellice takes at her clinic. She insists that the drug should only be administered by a medical professional to ensure proper dosing and monitoring. It’s crucial that ketamine treatment be differentiated from recreational use or unethical medical practices, as illustrated by recent tragic events involving celebrities who obtained ketamine through dubious means.
The effects of ketamine can vary depending on how it’s administered—whether intravenously, intramuscularly, or orally. Intravenous (IV) infusion tends to be the most effective way to control the flow of the drug, ensuring that it reaches the brain consistently, allowing for sustained therapeutic benefits. Unlike street use, clinic administration ensures a structured experience, with a focus on set and setting, which is critical to how effective and transformative the experience can be.
The real-life impact of ketamine treatment has been profound. Dr. Ellice shared several touching anecdotes, including that of a patient who had become agoraphobic and suicidal after a family member's tragic death. Under ketamine treatment, this individual experienced what felt like a communication with the deceased, allowing her to find peace and the motivation to live her life fully again.
Kevin Rose described his experience as "a weight coming off of me," highlighting how ketamine helped alleviate his anxiety, allowing him to feel more connected to his surroundings and less burdened by constant rumination.
Ketamine isn’t a cure-all, nor does it work for everyone—statistics show a 60-80% success rate for treatment-resistant depression. However, for those for whom it works, the changes can be nothing short of miraculous. Whether helping people find release from longstanding trauma or lifting the weight of depression, ketamine offers a new hope, a safe space for healing, and an opportunity to view life as a ‘circus’ rather than an endless struggle.
Dr. Ellice emphasized, "We don't promise a cure, but for many, ketamine is the difference between just surviving and truly living."
In conclusion, ketamine's evolving role in mental health treatments is promising. Administered in controlled settings, it provides a dual mechanism of action—one that involves a journey through consciousness, and another that rewires the brain for future resilience. For those suffering from otherwise untreatable mental health issues, ketamine could be a doorway to a better, more fulfilling life.
Our safe and integrative IV Ketamine sessions can help re-wire your neurons and are a proven treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders and chronic pain.
