Ketamine Treatment for End of Life & Palliative Care

Navigating the Journey: Ketamine’s Role in Enhancing End-of-Life Comfort

End-of-life care encompasses more than just physical comfort; it addresses the profound emotional and existential challenges faced by individuals nearing the end of their lives. At Nushama, we recognize the multifaceted nature of this care and offer ketamine-assisted therapy as a compassionate intervention to alleviate not only physical discomfort but also the psychological and spiritual distress that often accompanies terminal conditions..

Embrace tranquility and support in the final stages of life. Discover the role of our ketamine therapy in facilitating peaceful support.

How Ketamine Therapy Works for End of Life & Palliative Care

In palliative and end-of-life care, ketamine therapy serves as a dual-function treatment, providing relief from pain while addressing the psychological impact of terminal illness. By blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine can significantly reduce physical pain and disrupt the pain signaling that contributes to chronic discomfort.

Moreover, its psychoactive properties allow for profound psychological relief, helping patients address existential anxieties and find peace in their final days. This approach is particularly suited to end-of-life care, where traditional pain management strategies may be insufficient or lead to undesirable side effects.

Our Approach at Nushama

Transforming Lives with Innovative Care

Your journey to overcoming anxiety begins with a detailed assessment and a personalized treatment plan. From preparation to integration therapy post-ketamine sessions, our team ensures a safe, supportive experience focused on long-term anxiety management strategies.

Ketamine Infusions Protocol

01

Medical Assessment

We assess your medical history and medication to confirm ketamine is an appropriate treatment. Pre-treatment testing can include urine and blood tests, blood pressure and EKG.

Person at reception working with someone using a laptop
Person at a desk writing in an open notebook

02

Preparation

Ketamine therapy is unlike any other treatment you are likely to have encountered, so preparing your mind and body for the experience is critical. We’ll give you information on how to cultivate a positive mindset in the weeks leading up to your journey. We will also encourage you to set an intention before each infusion—a goal or purpose for your journey that will help direct the experience and gather insights—and then “let go.”

03

Psychedelic Treatment Sessions

Nushama physicians or doctors typically administer 6 treatments/infusions over a 3-6 week period, receiving up to 2 infusions per week. The treatments take place in a serene environment with ambient music. Vitals and anesthesia levels are constantly monitored by Nushama doctors and nurses to ensure the highest level of safety.

Person relaxing on a reclining couch with eye mask and headphones during a ketamine infusion treatment in NYC
Over the shoulder view of a therapist sitting with a patient

04

Integration

Licensed therapists or trained integration coaches work with members with the intention of helping them glean insights after each journey to integrate into their daily lives. Integration can also include practices like yoga, journaling, meditation, mindfulness techniques, or listening to music from the treatment. The idea is to help individuals tap into their inner healer for lasting change.

05

Follow-up

If a member does not have a therapist (or would like additional support), Nushama therapists work with members to integrate learnings into their daily lives for lasting results. Some members may also benefit from additional “booster” sessions. Psychedelics are transformative medicines, but healing requires more than the experience of the journey.

Over the shoulder view of someone having an online meeting with someone through a laptop

Ketamine Infusion Protocol

Person at a desk writing in an open notebook

01

Preparation

Ketamine therapy is unlike any other treatment you are likely to have encountered, so preparing your mind and body for the experience is critical. We’ll give you information on how to cultivate a positive mindset in the weeks leading up to your journey. We will also encourage you to set an intention before each infusion—a goal or purpose for your journey that will help direct the experience and gather insights—and then “let go.”

Person at reception working with someone using a laptop

02

Medical Assessment

We assess your medical history and medication to confirm ketamine is an appropriate treatment. Pre-treatment testing can include urine and blood tests, blood pressure and EKG.

Person relaxing on a reclining couch with eye mask and headphones during a ketamine infusion treatment in NYC

03

Psychedelic Treatment Sessions

Nushama physicians or doctors typically administer 6 treatments/infusions over a 3-6 week period, receiving up to 2 infusions per week. The treatments take place in a serene environment with ambient music. Vitals and anesthesia levels are constantly monitored by Nushama doctors and nurses to ensure the highest level of safety.

Over the shoulder view of a therapist sitting with a patient

04

Integration

Licensed therapists or trained integration coaches work with members with the intention of helping them glean insights after each journey to integrate into their daily lives. Integration can also include practices like yoga, journaling, meditation, mindfulness techniques, or listening to music from the treatment. The idea is to help individuals tap into their inner healer for lasting change.

Over the shoulder view of someone having an online meeting with someone through a laptop

05

Follow-up

If a member does not have a therapist (or would like additional support), Nushama therapists work with members to integrate learnings into their daily lives for lasting results. Some members may also benefit from additional “booster” sessions. Psychedelics are transformative medicines, but healing requires more than the experience of the journey.

Nushama

Understanding End of Life & Palliative Care

End of life and palliative care focus on enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses or conditions. While often used interchangeably, these two terms highlight different aspects of care during critical life stages:

End of Life Care refers to the support and medical care given during the time surrounding death. This care does not only manage pain and other distressing symptoms but also includes guidance on making complex decisions and emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their family. The goal is to ensure comfort and preserve dignity at life’s end, making it as meaningful and respectful as possible.

Palliative Care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, not just the final months or days. It addresses a wide range of issues, integrating an individual's emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and can include, but is not limited to, management of pain and other distressing symptoms, provision of psychological, social, and spiritual support, and coordination of care to ensure the patient’s and their family's comprehensive needs are met.

In these instances, ketamine therapy serves as a dual-function treatment, providing relief from pain while addressing the psychological impact of terminal illness. By blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine can significantly reduce physical pain and disrupt the pain signaling that contributes to chronic discomfort. Moreover, its psychoactive properties allow for profound psychological relief, helping patients address existential anxieties and find peace in their final days. This approach is particularly suited to end-of-life care, where traditional pain management strategies may be insufficient or lead to undesirable side effects.

Ketamine's unique properties make it an invaluable tool in this holistic approach, offering a potential reconnection to life's meaningful experiences and easing the transition during palliative stages. By incorporating ketamine therapy, we provide a pathway that supports both the patients and their families during these challenging times.

Frequently Asked Questions