Ketamine therapy

Mechanisms of ketamine action on the brain and psyche

Studies show that ketamine increases brain neuroplasticity, helping to regenerate synaptic connections between brain cells damaged by stress and depression. The drug affects a completely different level of the neurotransmitter system compared to the currently available antidepressants. That's why more and more clinics are appearing abroad that use ketamine to treat depressed patients who have failed standard medications - about 75% of patients aged 15 to 55 can be treated with this anesthetic.

It is especially important that in the course of treatment, patients whose capacity for intellectual activity and learning is often reduced in depression become more receptive to psychotherapy. This is an important period during which you can work effectively with the patient to achieve long-term remission. By varying the dosage, it is possible to achieve a psychedelic state of consciousness with expanded spatio-temporal perception, which has a profound transpersonal and transformational effect. This leads to a revision of the system of internal values, sustainable and positive psychological changes.

Patients become more confident in themselves, their capabilities and future, less anxious and neurotic, more balanced, emotionally open and self-sufficient. The level of internal tension, discomfort, and emotional isolation decreases, self-esteem increases, a tendency to overcome a passive position appears, and creative activity increases.

A person changes his or her understanding of the meaning of life and views on the self and the world around him or her, life and death, expands the spiritual horizon, improves relationships with other people, and begins personal growth and self-discovery.

How is the treatment carried out?

Prior to your session, you will be interviewed by a psychiatrist to determine if ketamine treatment is indicated for you. This involves discussing your medical and psychological history, diagnosing your mental condition, and completing a series of psychological tests.

A ketamine therapy session takes place in the form of an intravenous drip. Within 40 minutes to an hour and a half after starting ketamine, you will be in an altered state of consciousness. The task of the anesthesiologist is to monitor your physical and mental state, and the task of the clinical psychologist is to help you solve the psychological problems that underlie your health disorders.

After the session, we discuss your experience and understanding of the therapy and test the completeness of your mental state recovery, after which you can leave the clinic. Some minor changes in sensory perception, speech, and spatial orientation can last up to 5 hours.

The full course of therapy consists of three blocks: basic, consolidating and supportive.

The main block depends on the severity of the disease and can include 6-10 drops of ketamine microdoses administered for 40 minutes 2 times a week, with simultaneous psychotherapy and an intermediate session of integrative (analytical) psychotherapy, during which the results achieved in the previous session are clarified and developed.

In order to achieve the best result, it is necessary to undergo a consolidation course after the main course of treatment - one session per month for three months (i.e. three sessions), and then a maintenance course - one session per quarter for a year (i.e. 4 sessions per year).

It is also important to remember that a relapse of mental illness usually occurs as a result of serious stress. Therefore, we advise you to have a preventive session in the days following such a stressful situation.

The duration of the therapeutic effect depends on how ketamine is used. If we are talking exclusively about injecting the drug without psychotherapy, the effect of the session usually lasts from one to several weeks. But if ketamine is used with simultaneous psychotherapy, we often achieve a fairly stable remission.

What will you feel during the session?

Most often, patients report a state of peace, disappearance of fear, mental balance, or elation during the session. Ketamine has practically no side effects, as it has negligible toxicity. Sometimes there is a feeling of warmth, mild intoxication or anxiety, temporary headaches or dry mouth, slight fluctuations in blood pressure or visual disturbances that disappear soon after the drip is stopped. Therefore, we closely monitor the patient's reactions and do not recommend driving or operating dangerous machinery for 24 hours. It is recommended to return home with an accompanying person.

Why should you undergo ketamine therapy at the Expio Center?

We are the pioneers of ketamine therapy in Ukraine (since 2018). As of 2025, we have conducted more than 1000 treatment sessions and gained vast experience in this area. Our specialists know the ketamine therapy methodology better than anyone else in Eastern Europe, which is reflected in the publications of leading media. In 2021-2022, the director and founder of the Expio Center, V. Matrenytskyi, took a refresher course at the American training center for ketamine therapy Polaris Insight Center, and in 2024, he took part in an international seminar on ketamine therapy in Barcelona.

We are often asked why this method is not widespread in Ukraine. The fact is that the majority of our citizens (including, unfortunately, psychiatrists and psychologists) still do not understand the difference between psychedelics and drugs, so they are wary of ketamine therapy. Few psychiatrists and psychotherapists have the necessary knowledge and experience in psychedelic medicine.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous competitors have recently started to appear who, without proper knowledge and experience, copy information from our website and even our name, hoping to attract customers in this way at least.

Be careful! Working with altered states of consciousness caused by ketamine requires special skills. It is important to properly bring a person out of a state of dissociation, to prevent the negative psychological consequences of this state, which can occur if a doctor or psychologist is incompetent.

For more information, please visit our specialized website dedicated to ketamine therapy.