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IV KETAMINE INFUSIONS IN SAN DIEGO, CA

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

IV ketamine delivers powerful brain-healing medicine directly into your bloodstream. This precise method works incredibly fast to treat deep sadness, severe anxiety, and lasting pain. Our expert doctors fully control your exact dose during the entire treatment. Therefore, you stay completely safe while achieving the strongest possible relief.

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. Specifically, when ketamine is given directly into your vein, your doctor has full control over your dosing and timing. Furthermore, they can make changes in real time. Therefore, this setup ensures both your safety and the best healing results.

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. First, we begin with a full medical and mental health check to see if IV ketamine is right for you. Therefore, this detailed review allows us to design a custom plan that fits your exact needs.

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

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.

Consequently, 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. However, certain health conditions may require an extra check or mean this treatment is not right for you. For example, this includes uncontrolled high blood pressure, active psychosis, unstable heart disease, or dangerous drug interactions. Therefore, we review your history carefully because 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?

The IV placement feels like a very small pinch. In fact, it feels just like a standard blood draw at your regular doctor. Once we place the small tube, the actual infusion is completely painless. However, if you feel nervous about needles, we can easily apply numbing cream beforehand.

Q: How many sessions will I need?

Most patients begin with six IV ketamine infusions over two or three weeks. After this initial series, you will transition to maintenance sessions based on your personal healing. For example, some people need monthly visits, while others wait much longer between appointments. Ultimately, we actively track your progress and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Q: Can I eat or drink before my session?

First, we ask you to avoid food for four to six hours before your appointment. Additionally, you should stop drinking clear liquids two hours before we start. In fact, this simple rule prevents rare feelings of nausea during your treatment. Therefore, you remain completely comfortable while the medicine works.

Q: Will I be able to work afterward?

Instead, you should rest for the remainder of the day. Specifically, you must have a trusted friend or family member drive you home. You also cannot drive or operate heavy machinery for twenty-four hours. Fortunately, most patients feel very clear-headed within a few hours and easily return to work the next morning.

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

IV ketamine works cumulatively for most patients. For instance, some people notice massive changes immediately after their very first infusion. However, others experience their biggest breakthrough during their third or fourth visit. Therefore, our expert doctors carefully check your progress at every session and adjust your dose to ensure success.

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

Ketamine is a legitimate, FDA-approved medication that has been used safely in medicine for over 50 years. In fact, when used in a clinical setting, it is given at carefully controlled, low doses under strict doctor supervision. Therefore, this professional care provides 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.