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Ketamine

What is Ketamine?

N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has traditionally been used for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Ketamine had proven to be safe and effective, even as a sedative for children requiring immobilization to enable performance of a painful procedure. 

In the 1970s Ketamine was approved for safe use by the FDA for soldiers during the Vietnam War. It soon gained the name of “the buddy drug” on the battlefield. This was because of its quick effects and safety profile. Soldiers quickly became used to administering Ketamine for frequent medical emergencies.

Mercer SJ. ‘The Drug of War’–a historical review of the use of Ketamine in military conflicts.
J R Nav Med Serv. 2009;95(3):145-50. PMID: 20180434.

How Ketamine is Being Used?

Studies were conducted from 2000-2006, which ultimately showed Ketamine was a viable alternative treatment for depression. This led to the rise of doctors going off-label and using Ketamine for treatment resistant depression, pain management, and other psychiatric disorders.

Ketamine therapy involves the administration of a single infusion or a series of infusions. Whether a single dose or series, ketamine frequently reduces or eliminates signs of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, etc. – with nearly all studies confirming a greater than 75% success rate. Whereas, conventional antidepressants must be taken daily in order to mask and/or reduce symptoms of depression – with a low rate of success on the first medication prescribed.

For the average patient, the acute phase of ketamine intravenous therapy calls for a series of six sessions followed by occasional booster infusions – if and as needed. This short-term treatment yields fast-acting response (often within hours) with long-lasting symptom relief (in some patients, permanent relief without further treatment).

What Our Clients Are Saying

From start to finish I felt tremendously taken care of by the staff at Kure. Dr. Yun, Janet, and Andy ensured my comfort every step of the way. I was greeted warmly in their beautiful office complete with soft lighting and comfortable furniture and was allowed to take my time in their Relaxation Room before my infusion began. I was definitely a bit nervous, as this was my first time undergoing a ketamine infusion, but they answered my questions with confidence and shared their wealth of experience without overwhelming me. I expressed anxiety about needles, and Janet was so gentle with my IV insertion that I didn't even feel it! I felt incredibly empowered to begin my journey knowing that they were nearby. They regularly checked on me, but I never felt disturbed by their presence. The music provided allowed me to focus on some breathing techniques provided in a comprehensive email from staff days before my infusion. The blackout mask and noise-cancelling headphones allowed me to enter into my own world, and I was so relieved that I never once felt a loss of control, as they had assured me. The experience generated from the infusion was deeply powerful and frankly, life-changing, and I would highly recommend Kure to anybody seeking healing in a gorgeous, serene environment with kind, dedicated, and brilliant medical providers overseeing their care."
Trisha C.

Ketamine & Depression:
How it Works

New therapies like ketamine are changing how depression is understood, and may pave the way for future research that helps us understand the brain in all of its complexity.

Source: Yale Medicine

Your Journey Starts Now

Kure requires a consultation with one of our practitioners to determine if ketamine is the right therapy for you. If you’d like to find out more about the range of programs we offer, don’t hesitate to give us a call or fill out the form for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your individual needs and create a tailored program that will guarantee you reach your goals. So get in touch and we’ll start creating a program that’s right for you.

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Kure Medical Group

Valentina Ira, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Valentina is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to treating depression, anxiety, addictions, PTSD, and trauma. She has 14+ years of experience in healthcare with specialties in addiction medicine, psychiatry and mental health, as well as emergency department, surgery, and oncology. She received post-graduate degree in Psychiatric Mental Health at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Utah. She is a Clinical Faculty at Moorpark College nursing program and a Nurse Practitioner at Los Angeles addiction treatment centers. Valentina believes in the integrative approach that mergers best of Western and Eastern medicine and she has a holistic view on healing all aspects of life that contribute to mental illness. She believes that each client is unique so every treatment plan should be uniquely tailored to that individual; her goal is also to make clients feel accepted and safe. Valentina has been practicing transcendental meditation, yoga, and Ayurvedic lifestyle for many years. She enjoys living in the Santa Monica Mountains and hiking local trails.

Steve Yun, M.D.

Anesthesiologist | Medical Director

Dr. Yun is Board-Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and Certified in Adult and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. He received his B.S. with Honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his M.D. with Honors from the University of Southern California in 1996, followed by three years of additional training in Anesthesiology at the UCLA Medical Center. He has been in private practice since 2000. For the last 15+ years, he has served as Director of Anesthesia for Dr. Daniel Kharrazi, – Former Team Physician for the Los Angeles Lakers. ​Dr. Yun is a Clinical Professor at Western University of Health Sciences and a Lecturer at the Loma Linda School of Dentistry. He has received the Physician of Excellence Award multiple times from the Orange County Medical Association. He has been recognized as “Anesthesiologist of the Year” by the Fresh Start Surgical Charity and is a proud supporter of the So Cal Bulldog Rescue Organization.

Andy Rimando, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Andy has built a solid experience in health care in the last 18 years, with specialties in sleep medicine, critical care, anesthesia and post anesthesia care, as well as psychiatry and mental health. He graduated from California State University Los Angeles, and attended schools in University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, and Stevenson University in Maryland. He completed his nursing residency in Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and has worked in University of Maryland Medical Center, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and recently at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland. He loves to hike big mountains in his free time, and has traveled to several countries to experience other cultures. He currently resides in Los Angeles California.

Janet Sharma, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Medical Advisor

Janet is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner focused on treating anxiety, depression, and women’s mental health. She believes that inner work is critical to one’s mental health journey, as it helps solidify new views and coping skills.  Janet has experience doing critical care in the emergency department. She has also worked with patients in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings. She has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds across all age groups using a holistic therapeutic model. She is passionate about restoring personal health and wellness. Janet understands that growth is not linear and that the ability to change remains with us. Janet enjoys teaching and learning from others, spending time with her family, and learning new things along the way. She is also fluent in Spanish.

Erica Weiszmann

Office Manager

Erica’s passion for healthcare stems from the insatiable curiosity she has for humans and her belief that everyone deserves freedom from the chains of mental illness. She became immersed in the world of mental health afflictions during employment as a pre-medical student, and this interest extended into a desire to assist all kinds of patients in accessing the most appropriate mental health resources for them.  She has seen the positive and frankly, life-changing, effects of ketamine treatment firsthand during her time as a medical assistant at a clinic providing infusions for individuals with treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain.  She is proud to be serving the community of southern California with the services here at KureKetamine as Business Office Manager.  Armed with an extensive background in behavioral health to best complement the care you receive here, she holds certifications in Brain Health, as well as Meditation.  When she is not working, you can catch her at hot yoga, biking through LA, body surfing at the incredible beaches here, trying out a new Pinterest recipe, and reading about neuroscience.

Steve Yun, M.D.

Anesthesiologist | Medical Director

Dr. Yun is Board-Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and Certified in Adult and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. He received his B.S. with Honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his M.D. with Honors from the University of Southern California in 1996, followed by three years of additional training in Anesthesiology at the UCLA Medical Center. He has been in private practice since 2000. For the last 15+ years, he has served as Director of Anesthesia for Dr. Daniel Kharrazi, – Former Team Physician for the Los Angeles Lakers. ​Dr. Yun is a Clinical Professor at Western University of Health Sciences and a Lecturer at the Loma Linda School of Dentistry. He has received the Physician of Excellence Award multiple times from the Orange County Medical Association. He has been recognized as “Anesthesiologist of the Year” by the Fresh Start Surgical Charity and is a proud supporter of the So Cal Bulldog Rescue Organization.

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