The dosage of ketamine used to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is considered subanesthetic, meaning it is significantly lower than the doses used for surgical anesthesia. Dosage can vary based on several factors, including the patient’s individual needs, the route of administration, and the treatment protocol determined by the healthcare provider.

• Intravenous (IV): A typical starting dose is around 0.5 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg, administered over a 40- to 60-minute infusion. This is the most studied route and often used as a reference for ketamine dosing in mental health treatments.

• Intranasal: Dosing typically ranges from 28 mg to 84 mg per session, depending on the formulation and patient response. This route offers a needle-free alternative but may require more sessions for similar efficacy.

• Intramuscular (IM): IM doses vary but are often in a similar range to IV, adjusted for absorption differences. This method offers rapid onset and is commonly used when IV access is not preferred.

• Oral Microdosing: Microdosing uses daily sublingual doses, generally at the same or possibly higher levels due to lower bioavailability. Dosage is gradually titrated over many days and tailored to the patient. Over time, some patients may develop tolerance, and adjustments may be made as needed.

At AVYIA, your treatment plan is customized based on clinical assessment, and your provider will determine the safest and most effective dosage for your specific case.

Ketamine can offer rapid relief for individuals with OCD, especially those who haven’t responded to traditional treatments. It works by modulating glutamate and NMDA receptors in the brain, helping to interrupt obsessive thought loops and reduce compulsive behaviors.

Many patients experience improvement within hours or days, and ketamine may also make it easier to engage in therapy like CBT or ERP. It’s particularly helpful for treatment-resistant OCD, and AVYIA offers multiple administration routes—IV, IM, intranasal, and oral microdosing—to suit individual needs.

No, you do not need a referral.

For most individuals, IV, Intramuscular (IM) or intranasal ketamine is well-tolerated and often described as a calm or even pleasant experience. The psychedelic or dissociative effects are perceived differently by each person—some find them enjoyable or enlightening, while others may find them mildly uncomfortable. Everyone’s experience is unique. Remember, AVYIA’s IV, IM, and intranasal ketamine treatment sessions are fully monitored—not only during administration but also afterward—to ensure patient safety.

Side effects are typically mild and infrequent. The most common is nausea, which can be easily treated with antiemetics (anti-nausea medications) if needed, during or after the session. Transient increases in blood pressure may also occur, but these generally resolve quickly and are not harmful to healthy individuals.

With oral microdosing, we intentionally use low doses that avoid psychedelic or dissociative effects. Side effects in this format are rare and well-tolerated. An AVYIA provider will guide each patient through the titration process(adjusting the dose gradually) and maintain ongoing contact to monitor progress and ensure safety.

For microdosing, we avoid dosages that would cause psychedelic of dissociative effects.  Side effects are also well tolerated and rare.   A provider will teach the patient how to titrate (adjust dosage) and stay in contact with the patients to monitor his/her progress.

Yes, we strongly recommend that you continue working with your mental health provider for ongoing psychotherapy.

Ketamine treatment can be a powerful tool for managing certain mental health conditions, but it is not a replacement for traditional therapies such as psychotherapy or counseling. Your psychiatrist or therapist plays a vital role in providing a comprehensive, long-term approach to your mental health, offering support, guidance, and effective strategies that work in conjunction with ketamine therapy.