HOUSTON – When walking around the Menninger Clinic in Houston, some would say the setting gives off the vibe of a calming spa rather than a medical treatment facility.
Located at 12301 South Main Street, just off Highway 90, the Menninger Clinic, which feels like an oasis of Zen, has a pool, several lounge areas, and a lush green walking space.
Menninger Clinic, which is ranked as the seventh best hospital for psychiatry on U.S. & World Reports, has been a research leader in ketamine therapy as a potential treatment for those battling depression and other psychiatric conditions.
Ketamine, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It’s been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an anesthetic for decades, but is also used recreationally as an illegal party drug. Over the last few years, research has found that the drug also works for treatment-resistant depression in some people.
Although ketamine has not been approved by the FDA as a treatment for psychiatric conditions, including depression, Dr. Neil Puri, the Director of Outpatient Services at the Menninger Clinic, says it is safe for people who are evaluated and approved for usage.
At Menninger, where substantial research is being done on Ketamine therapy and its benefits, researchers conducted studies with the Baylor College of Medicine, which showed about one-third of individuals noticed an improvement in their depression symptoms, and some noticed beneficial effects almost immediately.
According to the clinic, researchers suggest that Ketamine therapy may also be helpful to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some forms of chronic pain.
However, as the number of ketamine clinics increases, Dr. Puri says not everyone is a good candidate for the treatment, including individuals with heart or cardiovascular conditions, liver disease, substance use disorders or psychotic disorders.
“I really encourage people to pick places that have mental health expertise and that have a history of doing these treatments so that you know that you’re getting the proper evaluation and guidance for your treatment course. Keeping in mind that we’re not just here for your ketamine, but we’re here for your wellness,” Puri says.
Also, at other ketamine clinics, he added, mental health experts may not be consulting with clients or administering treatment plans.
“All they do is ketamine, so if another treatment is better, they may not mention it to a client. Not all monitor their patients,” Puri said.
At the Menninger Clinic, which has been administering ketamine therapy since 2016, patients have to go through several steps before being approved for ketamine therapy, including an evaluation of their full health, possibly changes to medications, and an informed and written consent.
“I think the biggest risks come if someone’s not a good candidate,” Puri says. “So, that’s why we really want that thorough evaluation, ideally, kind of guided by a person who is an expert in mental health. There can be risks of things like psychosis, and cardiovascular risks, presuming somebody is psychiatrically and medically fit for this treatment.”
Once approved for the treatment, patients will then be given a series of treatments for four weeks. Each treatment lasts about 40 minutes, according to Puri.
The clinic says 35 to 45% of its ketamine therapy patients will have remission, and even more will see a significant reduction of symptoms. Puri said this is due to the clinic having several mental health experts and providing each patient with individualized attention.
“Our clinicians are careful to screen each person for their treatment needs and goals for treatment outcomes,” Puri said.
For many, Ketamine is a drug that has been misused and abused. Last year, the drug made headlines after an autopsy report revealed Emmy-nominated actor Matthew Perry died from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine.
According to investigators, Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, but medical examiners reportedly said the levels of ketamine in Perry’s body were in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery, and that his last treatment 1 1/2 weeks before his death, wouldn’t explain those levels. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours.
Doctors at the Menninger Clinic say it’s important to monitor patients before and after treatments.
“We follow the best evidence in our clinic. We offer more than just ketamine, so if it is not the right choice, we can honestly tell a patient and help them make the best treatment choice,” Puri said.