Before you book
What to ask any ketamine clinic before you book
Ketamine infusions are offered in many places now, and the treatment can differ a great deal from one clinic to the next. These questions help you find out what you would actually receive. Ask them of any clinic you are considering, including us.
Ten questions
What to ask, and why it matters
Each question has a short note on why it matters. Open "How we do it at RESTORE" under any question to see our own answer.
What to ask any ketamine clinic before you book
Ketamine Research Institute · ketamineinstitute.com · 800-850-6979
Who will be in the room during my infusion, and will they stay the whole time?
Ketamine is an anesthetic. Ask who gives it, what their training is, and whether they stay with you for the entire infusion or check in between other patients.
How we do it at RESTORE
An anesthesiologist starts your IV and stays in the room for the whole infusion. It is the same physician each day.
How is my dose decided?
Many clinics use a fixed amount per kilogram of body weight. Ask how your dose is set and whether anything besides your weight is taken into account.
How we do it at RESTORE
Each infusion is calculated to reach a target level in the brain, set for your body chemistry rather than your weight.
Is the dose adjusted during the infusion?
Some protocols run at a fixed rate from start to finish. Ask whether anyone changes the dose as you respond.
How we do it at RESTORE
The dose is adjusted every two to three minutes as you respond.
What happens before the first infusion?
Ask whether your records and bloodwork are reviewed, and what happens if something is found.
How we do it at RESTORE
We review your records and bloodwork before we accept you. Where something treatable is found, such as a hormone or metabolic problem, we correct it first.
How are my other medications handled?
Several common medications interact with ketamine and can weaken or change its effect. Ask whether every medication you take is reviewed, and whether that review changes your dose.
How we do it at RESTORE
Every medication you take is reviewed for how it interacts with ketamine, and that review is factored into your dose.
How many patients are treated at the same time?
Ask how many people the person watching you is responsible for during your infusion.
How we do it at RESTORE
One patient at a time.
How will we know whether it worked?
Ask whether your symptoms are measured on a validated rating scale before and after treatment, or judged by impression.
How we do it at RESTORE
You are scored on a validated rating scale before treatment and again afterward. In our review of 87 patients with treatment-resistant depression, about 4 out of 5 saw their scores improve by 50% or more. How we measured it →
What happens after the first course?
Ask how often you would be expected to return, and what that adds to the cost over a year.
How we do it at RESTORE
In your first year, you return once, two to three months later, for two reinforcement infusions. In our own patients, about eight months passed on average before another infusion was needed.
What is the full cost?
Ask for every fee in writing: consultation, infusions, follow-up, and anything not included in the quoted price.
How we do it at RESTORE
The consultation is $150 and is credited to your program if you go ahead. Every program fee is published, and we put your full cost in writing before you book. See every fee →
Is ketamine FDA-approved for my condition, and will insurance pay?
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Apart from one approved nasal spray, its use for depression or pain is off-label, meaning a physician prescribes an approved medicine for another use where the evidence supports it. Ask what the clinic's position is on insurance.
How we do it at RESTORE
Insurance does not cover RESTORE.
Take it with you
Print the questions
A one-page checklist of the ten questions, without our answers, to keep beside you when you call any clinic.
Related pages
Comparing Approaches Are You a Candidate? What to Expect Fees
Talk to us
Questions about any of this?
Call and ask us any question on this list. We will answer it plainly, and tell you honestly whether RESTORE is right for you.
RESTORE — ketamine therapy, done precisely.