Ketamine Assisted Therapy

At Paracelsus Recovery, we use the most cutting-edge treatments, which includes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy where appropriate. Ketamine is useful in relieving short-term pain and an effective treatment method for chronic pain syndromes and psychological issues, such as Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) and many others.

Our team uses proprietary nasal sprays for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, carefully designed to precisely tailor the dosage to your individual needs.

Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anaesthetic. However, as ketamine has psychedelic effects at higher doses, it is often discussed alongside classic psychedelics. In Switzerland, ketamine is legal for psychiatric use when combined with psychotherapy. As a result, at Paracelsus Recovery we can provide ketamine-assisted psychotherapy at our Zurich-based treatment centre.

At present, we are proud to offer ketamine-assisted therapy to treat treatment-resistant depression (TRD). We can also use ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to treat mood disorders, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse dependencies.

For ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, our team uses proprietary nasal sprays, carefully designed for our clients to allow us to precisely tailor the dosage to your individual needs. For those with prior experience or preference, we offer Spravato (Esketamine). Additionally, intravenous ketamine is available for clients who either prefer it or require it based on specific needs. There are specific molecular differences between these forms of treatment that alter their effects. For example, the nasal spray tends to be much more fast-acting. Some experts also argue that racemic is more effective than esketamine for dual diagnoses. In every case, our doctors will always run tests and take your preferences into account.

When appropriate, your sessions will be scheduled on a daily or weekly basis, with the frequency and duration depending on the severity of your symptoms. Typically, sessions last 45-60 minutes and take place in the comfort of your private penthouse residence. During treatment, you will remain conscious, though you may experience mild euphoria or an “out-of-body” sensation, known as dissociation. Your mind will be deeply engaged during this time, and many clients describe the experience as feeling like a therapy session in itself. Throughout, your psychotherapist will be present to help process any emotions, memories, or thoughts that arise.

Each session will be carefully supervised by our experienced lead psychiatrist and a senior nurse, who will monitor your vitals to ensure your comfort and safety.

Ketamine has been approved as a treatment modality for TRD because numerous studies show that it is rapid-acting and highly effective. Numerous studies also indicate that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a promising treatment modality for mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders and substance abuse issues. This promise lies in the fact that it is fast-acting, highly-effective and facilitates lasting symptom remission.

The benefits of ketamine-assisted therapy will be felt very quickly, usually within a matter of hours. For example, research shows that over 50% of people struggling with TRD feel a significant amount of symptom relief after just one session. While the exact reason behind this fast-acting effect is unclear, scientists have discovered that ketamine stimulates a rapid increase in glutamate which is the neurotransmitter in charge of how quickly synapses grow within your brain. This stimulation is a key mechanism behind the neuroplasticity that ketamine promotes. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections. Ketamine helps “reset” and rewire certain neural circuits, which can significantly improve mood, cognitive function, and emotional resilience, especially in those with mental health disorders.