Ketamine Assisted Therapy
What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy?
In recent years, the spotlight has turned to the remarkable potential of psychedelic medicines for healing and personal development. Among these, Ketamine stands out as a powerful tool, supported by a growing body of clinical research. This medication, alongside classic psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA, is showing significant promise in treating conditions such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. Of these, Ketamine is the only currently legal psychedelic medication in the United States. MDMA and psilocybin are undergoing FDA clinical trials.
Ketamine is unique in its ability to enhance neural plasticity, which means it helps the brain form new connections. This can be particularly beneficial during times of transition or when facing personal or spiritual challenges. Ketamine is also effective in promoting creative breakthroughs and new perspectives.
Email Dr. Cirillo or Dr. Rojas at welcome@aracarihealing.com if you are interested in engaging in individual therapy under a Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) protocol.
How Ketamine Works
Ketamine has traditionally been used as an anesthetic at significantly higher doses than those employed for therapeutic purposes. In modern clinical settings, Ketamine has been used as a therapeutic agent. The evidence base is strongest for a beneficial impact on depression. However, studies have also found benefit for obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorders and alcohol and substance use disorders. It has also been effectively used to treat pain and migraines.
Importantly, its use is not limited to individuals with clinical conditions. Often, adults fall into rigid, predictable patterns and lose the spontaneity and creativity that they may have once enjoyed. One of the benefits of Ketamine is in loosening the reins and allowing for the opening of new thought patterns and insights. It has also been beneficial to reframe grief and fears about aging or the end of life. Thus, Ketamine is well suited to facilitate transitions and promote transformative experiences.
Dosage and Administration
While intravenous and intramuscular administration are common, we prefer to use sublingual Ketamine. This method offers a controlled onset and avoids the complexities of more invasive procedures. It also facilitates a more personal and engaging therapeutic experience.
Depending on individual needs, sublingual doses range from 50 to 400 milligrams. Ketamine doses are higher when taken under the tongue compared to when it's given by IV (through a vein) or IM (injection into a muscle). This is because the body absorbs ketamine differently depending on how it’s taken.
Aracari Healing exclusively uses sublingual Ketamine under therapeutic protocols and settings. We partner with experienced medical providers to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. We also provide extensive education to support optimal preparation for Ketamine intake and maximize its post-treatment effects.
Current U.S. Approaches to Studying Psychedelic Medicines Compared to Psychedelic Use Among Indigenous Groups: What Are We Missing?
Published in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology (2025)
In this paper, Dr. Michael Cirillo explores the growing field of psychedelic-assisted therapy through a cross-cultural lens, contrasting Western clinical research with the long-standing ceremonial use of plant medicines in Indigenous traditions.
While U.S. studies focus on diagnosing and treating specific psychiatric conditions—such as depression, PTSD, and addiction—Indigenous practices integrate these same plants within a larger spiritual, communal, and ecological framework. For many Indigenous peoples, plant medicines are sacred teachers that restore balance among mind, body, community, and nature.
Dr. Cirillo highlights what may be missing in Western approaches: attention to spirituality, community connection, and a holistic view of human well-being rooted in relationship with the natural world. The paper calls for an integrative framework that honors Indigenous knowledge alongside rigorous scientific study.
Citation:
Cirillo, M. A. (2025). Current U.S. approaches to studying psychedelic medicines compared to psychedelics use among Indigenous groups: What are we missing? Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678251321040