What Disqualifies You From Ketamine Therapy?

TL;DR:

• Ketamine therapy is for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions, but not everyone is a good fit.
• Disqualifying factors include a history of psychosis/schizophrenia, uncontrolled heart issues/high blood pressure, and active substance use disorder.
• Mental/emotional stability is key; active suicidal crisis without support, lack of follow-up care, and unrealistic expectations can also disqualify you.
• A thorough screening process involving medical history review and medication assessment determines eligibility.
• Addressing disqualifying conditions may make you eligible for ketamine therapy in the future.

Ketamine therapy has gained attention as a promising option for people struggling with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and more. While many have found relief through this innovative treatment, it’s not suitable for everyone. So, what disqualifies you from ketamine therapy?

Understanding the factors that might make someone ineligible is just as important as knowing who can benefit.

In this article, we’ll explore the key disqualifying conditions, explain who is and isn’t a good candidate, and walk you through what to expect during the screening process.

Understanding Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic, but in recent years, it’s been used in much smaller doses to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even chronic pain. What makes ketamine different from traditional treatments is how quickly it can work, usually within hours to days rather than weeks to months.

Ketamine therapy is typically administered in one of several ways:

• Intravenous (IV) infusions
• Intramuscular (IM) injections
• Sublingual (SL) lozenges/troches
• Intransal (IN) sprays (like esketamine/Spravato)

The goal is to create a therapeutic effect that helps "reset" brain pathways involved in mood regulation and pain perception.

Before diving into what disqualifies you from ketamine therapy, it helps to understand that this treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Certain medical and psychological conditions can make ketamine therapy more or less appropriate for an individual. That’s why clinics usually start with a thorough evaluation to determine if someone is a good candidate for the treatment.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine therapy is often recommended for people who haven’t responded well to traditional treatments like antidepressants or talk therapy. These individuals are considered to have treatment-resistant conditions, meaning they’ve tried other options without success.

So, who is a good candidate? Generally, someone who:

• Has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain.
• Has not seen significant improvement with standard medications or therapies.
• Is under the care of a mental health or medical professional.
• Has a stable medical and psychiatric history.
• Is not actively struggling with substance misuse or unmanaged health issues.

Keep in mind that being a good candidate doesn’t just depend on diagnosis; it also depends on safety.

Ketamine Contraindications: What Disqualifies You?

While ketamine therapy can be life-changing for some, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Certain medical and psychological factors, called ketamine contraindications, can increase the risks of treatment and may disqualify someone from receiving it.

Here are some of the most common reasons why you may be disqualified:

History of Psychosis or Schizophrenia

People with active psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, are typically not good candidates for ketamine therapy. Because ketamine is dissociative, it can worsen symptoms like hallucinations or delusions.

Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure or Heart Disease

Ketamine can cause temporary spikes in blood pressure and heart rate. If you have unmanaged cardiovascular issues, ketamine may pose a serious risk.

Active Substance Use Disorder

Since ketamine itself can be misused recreationally, individuals with active substance use issues (especially those involving ketamine or other dissociatives) are often disqualified until those issues are addressed.

Pregnancy

Ketamine hasn’t been proven safe for use during pregnancy, so most providers will avoid offering it to pregnant individuals.

Being disqualified doesn’t mean you’ll never be eligible. In many cases, treating or stabilizing the disqualifying condition can make it safer to try ketamine later.

Mental and Emotional Considerations

Beyond physical health, your mental and emotional state plays a big role in determining who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy.

While ketamine can help with conditions like depression and PTSD, it’s not suitable for everyone. This is especially true for individuals in crisis or experiencing certain psychiatric symptoms, such as schizophrenia, as mentioned earlier, and more:

Current Suicidal Crisis Without Support

While ketamine can help reduce suicidal thoughts quickly in most cases, it’s not a standalone crisis intervention. People in immediate danger may need a higher level of care first, such as hospitalization or intensive therapy, before becoming eligible for ketamine therapy later.

Lack of Emotional Support or Ongoing Care

Ketamine therapy often works best when paired with ongoing mental health support, like therapy or counseling. If someone doesn’t have access to follow-up care or a support system, their treatment may be less effective or risky.

Unrealistic Expectations

Ketamine isn’t a miracle cure. It can be incredibly helpful, but it’s one part of a larger healing journey. People who expect instant, permanent results without effort may not be mentally prepared for the process.

Mental and emotional readiness is just as important as meeting the physical health requirements. Even if you meet the clinical criteria, a provider may delay treatment if they feel more support or stabilization is needed.

Medical Evaluation and Screening Process

If you’re wondering how to qualify for ketamine treatment, the first step is a thorough screening process. Clinics use this to determine who is eligible for ketamine therapy, and just as importantly, who may not be a safe candidate.

Here’s what that evaluation typically includes:

Review of Mental Health History

Providers will ask about your mental health diagnosis, treatment history, and response to medications or therapy. This helps them determine whether your condition is one that ketamine is known to treat effectively.

Assessment for Contraindications

You’ll be asked about any history of psychosis, schizophrenia, heart conditions, substance use, or other ketamine contraindications. These are important for identifying any risks that could disqualify you from treatment.

Current Medication Review

Some medications, like benzodiazepines or certain sedatives, may interfere with how ketamine works. Your provider will assess whether your current prescriptions are safe to continue or if adjustments are needed before therapy can begin.

Physical Health Screening

Vitals like blood pressure, liver function, and overall cardiovascular health are evaluated. If you have untreated or unstable medical issues, you may need to address those first before being cleared for treatment.

Readiness and Support System

Providers also consider emotional readiness and whether you have access to follow-up care like therapy. A stable support system can make a big difference in how effective and safe the treatment is.

The goal of this screening is to ensure your safety and maximize the chances of a successful outcome. If you don’t qualify right away, your provider may help you understand what needs to change in order to become eligible in the future.

If you’re curious about your eligibility, find out more about ketamine infusion therapy with Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles and explore whether this treatment could be right for you.