Treatments & Protocols
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
What It Means
What Is IV Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
IV KAP is the combination of two powerful tools: intravenous ketamine, an FDA-approved medication used off-label for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety — and structured, trauma-informed psychotherapy delivered before, during, and after each infusion.
Ketamine alone can provide rapid symptom relief. Therapy alone builds insight and skills. Together, they do something neither can do alone: ketamine opens a temporary window of heightened neuroplasticity, and psychotherapy uses that window to help you process trauma, break rigid thought patterns, and build lasting change — not just temporary relief. At Mana Warrior Collective, every KAP session is delivered by a MAPS-certified, Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner in a controlled clinical setting with continuous medical monitoring.
Who Is IV KAP For?
Treatment-resistant depression (when two or more antidepressants haven't worked)
PTSD and complex trauma
Severe or treatment-resistant anxiety
Deep emotional healing and nervous system regulation
Veterans, first responders, and others carrying the weight of chronic traumatic stress
IV ketamine is not appropriate for everyone. Conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension, active psychosis or mania, certain cardiac conditions, and active substance use disorder may make treatment unsafe. Every patient completes a comprehensive medical and psychiatric screening before beginning care.
Services Include
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)
Preparation sessions
Integration support
Somatic and nervous-system care
Ongoing clinical guidance
Primary Benefits
Enhanced cognitive clarity and mental stamina
Deeper integration of trauma and psychedelic work
Faster recovery after injury, surgery, or overtraining
Improved mood regulation and stress resilience
Reduced inflammation and nervous system overload
How It Works: The Science
Chronic depression, anxiety, and trauma physically change the brain — dendrites retract, synaptic connections weaken, and the Default Mode Network becomes locked in rigid, self-critical loops. Ketamine works differently than traditional antidepressants. Rather than targeting serotonin, it acts on NMDA glutamate receptors, triggering a cascade that increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and stimulates rapid synaptic growth. Research shows this creates a window of enhanced neuroplasticity lasting roughly 24–72 hours after each infusion — a period when the brain is measurably more capable of forming new connections and new patterns. This is why integration therapy is built into every protocol: the infusion opens the window; the therapeutic work you do inside that window is what creates lasting change.
What a Session Looks Like
Comprehensive intake and screening — a full review of your medical history, psychiatric history, current medications, goals, and readiness for treatment.
Preparation session(s) — before your first infusion, you'll meet with your clinician to set intentions, learn what to expect, and build the therapeutic relationship that anchors the work.
The infusion session (2–3 hours) — a clinician-guided IV ketamine experience in a private, comfortable treatment room. Your dose is individualized and weight-based, delivered as a slow infusion while your vital signs are continuously monitored. Your clinician remains present throughout.
Same-day integration — dedicated time after the infusion to ground, process the experience, and capture insights while they're fresh.
Ongoing integration and care planning — follow-up integration sessions and an individualized care plan that may include supportive therapies, lifestyle foundations, and clear next steps.
Your Treatment Course: Induction & Maintenance
Induction Series: Most patients begin with six IV KAP sessions over 2–6 weeks. Research and clinical experience consistently show that a series of infusions — not a single session — produces the most durable results. During induction, your clinical team tracks your response and refines your protocol. Maintenance Phase: After induction, care transitions to a personalized maintenance plan. Some patients benefit from periodic booster infusions (often every 4–8 weeks); others continue with integration-focused therapy between less frequent treatments. Your plan is reassessed continually and guided by your progress — never a fixed schedule.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
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Many patients report a shift in mood within 24 hours of their first infusion, though most experience cumulative benefit across the induction series. Ketamine's rapid action is one of its most significant advantages over traditional antidepressants, which can take 4–6 weeks to work.
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In a monitored clinical setting, ketamine has a strong safety record spanning decades of medical use. Every treatment at Mana Warrior Collective is administered by a MAPS-certified Nurse Practitioner with continuous vital sign monitoring. The most common side effects — temporary dissociation, mild nausea, or elevated blood pressure during the infusion — resolve quickly and are managed in real time.
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At-home lozenge programs lack medical monitoring, precise dosing, and real-time therapeutic support. IV administration in a clinical setting ensures you receive a reliable therapeutic dose, that your safety is monitored continuously, and that a trained clinician is present to guide the psychological work — which is where lasting change actually happens.
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No. Therapeutic doses of IV ketamine produce a dream-like, dissociative state — you remain able to breathe on your own, communicate if needed, and you are never alone. Most patients describe the experience as deeply introspective rather than frightening.
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No. You'll need a trusted person to drive you home, and we recommend keeping the rest of your day free for rest and reflection.
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Item descriptionNever stop a medication without guidance. Some medications (such as certain benzodiazepines and lamotrigine) can blunt ketamine's effects, so your clinician will review everything you take during screening and coordinate a plan — often with your existing prescriber.
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Not at this time. We are actively working toward insurance coverage options and will update this page as that changes.
IV Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy launches at Mana Warrior Collective in Fall 2026.