Ketamine as Mental Health Treatment

Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, has emerged as a promising treatment for various mental health conditions. Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 and has been used in medical settings as an anesthetic since the 1970s. The public most commonly associates Ketamine with the street drug “ Special K” that produces dissociative effects. 

Since 2000, clinical research has demonstrated that sub-anesthetic doses of Ketamine can effectively treat severe depression as well as bipolar, PTSD, anxiety, alcohol addiction and OCD. Patients that are unresponsive or partially unresponsive to traditional treatment modalities can often find relief through Ketamine and the Ketamine-derivative, esketamine (Spravato). Ketamine works by targeting glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. By modulating glutamate, Ketamine is thought to repair dysfunctional neural circuits implicated in mood disorders. Repairing these neural circuits facilitates a rapid “reset” of thought patterns. 

Treating the 30% Left Behind

Ketamine therapy addresses a gaping hole in mental health treatment: more than 30% of patients suffering depression are not effectively treated through the standard protocol of antidepressant medications plus psychotherapy. For these patients, Ketamine treatment can be a game-changer. In fact, studies show that 70% of patients undergoing a full course of Ketamine therapy report substantial improvements in symptoms.

Ketamine treatment is fast-acting.  Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to take effect, many patients treated with Ketamine experience symptom relief within hours. Time is of the essence for patients coping with severe depressive episodes who are at risk of self- harm. 

These promising results has led some medical researchers to hail Ketamine therapy as a “new era” in the battle against depression and suicide.

D. Cheryl Malina and Dr. Haviva Malina, founders of Keta Medical Center, say they feel privileged to witness the transformative impact of Ketamine therapy first-hand. Following treatment, many Keta Medical patients not only experience a lift in their mood, but also reduced anxiety, increased energy levels and more lucid thinking. As one Keta Medical patient described: “I found myself much more mellow and able to use rational thought in daily situations more often.” 

Keta Medical’s Commitment to Inclusive Care

Time and again, research has shown that LGBTQ+ individuals twice as likely to encounter mental health issues, and are at significantly higher risk of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Despite the recent inroads toward LGBTQ+ rights, stigma and discrimination persist. According to a 2019 survey, 16% of LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. reported experiencing discrimination during healthcare encounters and one in six reported avoiding healthcare due to anticipated discrimination. These alarming findings underscore the importance of offering inclusive and affirming mental health care. 

When Dr. Cheryl Malina and Dr. Haviva Malina founded Keta Medical Center in 2021, the core of their mission was to provide sensitive, individualized care for all patients – regardless of identity or background. Keta Medical, which began with one office in Oradell, New Jersey, has flourished rapidly. The practice now schedules 7 days a week and treats patients throughout the Tri-State Area at its four locations (Keta Medical Center has two locations in Manhattan, one in Westchester and one in New Jersey). Dr. Cheryl Malina explained that she wants to be intentional about the practices’ growth: “although we are thrilled about the practice’s expansion and the opportunity to serve more patients, now more than ever, we are keeping a keen eye on the core mission of Keta Medical which is to provide compassionate, personalized and evidence-based medical care to all of our patients.”

Keta Medical’s Partnership with QueerPsych

Dr. Haviva Malina explained how Keta Medical Center’s commitment to the LGBTQ aligns with her mission to provide individualized care: “At Keta, the care that we provide to each of our patients is personal. Many patients come to Keta at a very vulnerable point. They are seeking relief from mental health conditions after struggling with other treatments that have failed. It is of utmost importance to Dr. Cheryl Malina and myself that our LGBTQ+ patients – and all of our patients – feel comfortable and understood.”  

As Keta Medical Center’s practice has expanded, Dr. Cheryl Malina and Dr. Haviva Malina realized that their personal commitment to inclusivity was not enough; LGBTQ+ education and training was necessary for the practice to consistently deliver sensitive and affirming care. Toward that end, Keta Medical partnered with QueerPsych. Dr. Cheryl Malina commented on the practice’s collaboration with Queerpsych explaining: “Although we are a practice that has a lot of heart, having your heart in the right place is sometimes not enough—  as medical providers, it is incumbent upon us to take affirmative steps to educate ourselves as to how to provide care that recognizes the journey of our LGBTQ+ patients.”

Learn more about Keta Medical Center’s treatments at www.ketamc.com.