IV KETAMINE INFUSIONS IN SAN DIEGO, CA

The Gold Standard in Ketamine Therapy — Precise, Physician-Controlled, and Personalized

IV ketamine infusion delivers medication directly into your bloodstream for the most precise dosing and fastest onset of any ketamine treatment. Every session is supervised in our oceanfront Cardiff-by-the-Sea clinic.

WHY IV KETAMINE

Why IV Infusion Is Considered the Most Effective Ketamine Delivery Method

IV ketamine is the original and most well-studied form of ketamine therapy. It’s the method used in the majority of clinical research and medical settings.

The reason is precision. When ketamine is delivered intravenously, your physician has full control over dosing, timing, and adjustments in real time — ensuring both safety and therapeutic effectiveness.

At Seaside Ketamine, every IV infusion is personally supervised by a member of our team that has extensive experience in ketamine treatment and provides careful medical oversight throughout each session.

Advantages of IV Ketamine

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100% Bioavailability — Every milligram reaches your system. Oral ketamine has only 20–25% bioavailability, meaning most of the medication is lost during metabolism.
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Real-Time Dose Titration — Your physician can increase or decrease the infusion rate during your session based on your response, optimizing both efficacy and comfort.
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Predictable Onset & Duration — Effects begin within minutes and follow a smooth, controlled trajectory — unlike oral or IM administration where absorption can be variable.
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Strongest Evidence Base — The vast majority of peer-reviewed research on ketamine for depression, PTSD, and chronic pain uses IV administration.
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Ideal for Complex Cases — Treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain syndromes, and cases requiring precise dosing benefit most from IV delivery.

Your IV Ketamine Session: Step by Step

Arrival & Preparation (10 minutes)

You’ll arrive at our Cardiff clinic and be settled into a private treatment suite designed for comfort and calm. We’ll review how you’re feeling that day, answer any last questions, and ensure you’re relaxed before beginning. Your vital signs will be taken and baseline measurements recorded.

IV Placement & Infusion Start (5 minutes)

A trained medical professional places a small IV catheter — typically in your arm or hand. Once you’re comfortable, the infusion begins at a carefully controlled rate. You’ll remain reclined and monitored continuously.

The Infusion (40–50 minutes)

As the infusion progresses, you may notice relaxation, mild perceptual shifts, or mental spaciousness. Many patients describe the experience as calm and introspective. You remain conscious and continuously monitored to ensure safety and comfort.

Recovery & Integration (15–30 minutes)

After the infusion ends, you’ll rest as the effects gradually resolve. Most people feel clear-headed within 15–30 minutes. We continue monitoring you and briefly review your experience before discharge.

Post-Session Support

You’ll need a driver to take you home. Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours. We recommend a light schedule for the rest of the day to allow integration.

IV Ketamine Treatment Protocols

Every treatment plan is individualized based on your condition, history, and response to treatment. We begin with a comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation to determine whether IV ketamine is appropriate for you and to design a protocol tailored to your specific needs.

Most patients start with a series of carefully scheduled infusions to build therapeutic momentum, followed by maintenance treatments as needed. Throughout the process, dosing and frequency are adjusted based on how you respond — always prioritizing safety, comfort, and lasting results.

Depression & Anxiety

6 infusions over 2–3 weeks, then maintenance as needed. Dose: 0.5 mg/kg starting, titrated to response. Duration: 40–50 minutes per infusion. Integration sessions recommended between infusions.

Chronic Pain & Migraines

Series of 4–6 infusions, often at slightly higher doses than mood protocols. Some chronic pain conditions benefit from longer infusion times (up to 4 hours for complex regional pain syndrome). Tailored to your specific pain condition.

PTSD & Trauma

6 infusions over 2–3 weeks combined with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for deeper processing. The ketamine creates a window of neuroplasticity that makes trauma processing safer and more effective. Integration support is essential.

How IV Ketamine Compares

Feature	IV Ketamine	IM Ketamine	At-Home Oral / Sublingual	Spravato®
Bioavailability	100%	93%	20–25%	~48%
Dose Control	Real-time adjustable	Set per injection	Self-administered	Fixed per REMS
Onset	1–2 minutes	5–15 minutes	15–30 minutes	15–20 minutes
Medical Team Present	Always	Always	No	Required observation
Evidence Base	Strongest	Strong	Limited	Strong (FDA trials)
Personalization	Highest	High	Low	Moderate

Your Safety Is the Foundation of Everything We Do

Dr. Gillin’s background in anesthesiology and procedural medicine means your IV ketamine treatment is delivered with the highest level of medical expertise and attention to safety.

Every session includes continuous pulse oximetry, blood pressure monitoring, and heart rate monitoring to ensure you remain stable and comfortable throughout the infusion.

We screen every patient thoroughly before treatment. Certain conditions — including uncontrolled hypertension, active psychosis, unstable cardiovascular disease, or specific medication interactions — may require additional evaluation or may not be appropriate for ketamine therapy. Your safety is always our first priority.

Continuous pulse oximetry
Blood pressure monitoring every 5 minutes
Heart rate and rhythm monitoring
Our medical team is present throughout
Emergency medications on-site
Comprehensive pre-treatment screening
Post-treatment recovery observation

Frequently Asked Questions About IV Ketamine

Q: Does the IV hurt?

A: The IV placement feels like a small pinch — similar to having blood drawn. Once placed, the infusion itself is painless. If you’re nervous about needles, let us know and we can use numbing cream before placement.

Q: How many sessions will I need?

A: Most patients begin with 6 infusions over 2–3 weeks, then transition to maintenance sessions based on response. Some people need monthly maintenance; others can go longer between sessions. We track your progress and adjust accordingly.

Q: Can I eat or drink before my session?

A: We recommend no food for 4–6 hours and no clear liquids for 2 hours prior to your infusion. This minimizes the rare risk of nausea and ensures your comfort during treatment.

Q: Will I be able to work afterward?

A: You’ll need someone to drive you home and should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours. Most patients feel clear-headed within a few hours and can resume normal activities the next day.

screening labs—they’re deep dives into the biological systems that affect brain function.

Q: What if I don’t respond to the first session?

A: Ketamine therapy is cumulative for many people. While some patients notice changes after the first infusion, others experience their breakthrough around session 3–5. We assess response at each session and adjust your protocol as needed.

Q: Is IV ketamine the same as the “Special K” street drug?

A: Ketamine is a legitimate, FDA-approved medication that has been used safely in medicine for over 50 years. In a clinical setting, it’s administered at carefully controlled sub-anesthetic doses under physician supervision — a completely different context than recreational use.

Ready to Experience the Most Precise Form of Ketamine Therapy?

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss whether IV ketamine infusion is right for you.