{"id":604511666482,"title":"Mindbloom Review: Is Ketamine Life-Changing?","created_at":"2022-12-14T23:48:00-05:00","body_html":"\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\/\/ \u003c![CDATA[\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"Mindbloom Review: Is Ketamine Life-Changing?\",\n \"keywords\": \"mindbloom, mindbloom review, mindbloom reviews, mindbloom cost, is mindbloom legal, is mindbloom legit\",\n \"description\": \"Our research team analyzes medical research on ketamine to give our take on whether Mindbloom ketamine therapy is likely to be effective for treating anxiety and depression. We share unsponsored reviews from real Mindbloom users and explain if ketamine has side effects.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/mindbloom-review\",\n\"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"creator\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"editor\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Taylor Graber\",\n \"honorificSuffix\": \"M.D.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/taylor-graber\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/taylor-j-graber-md-81351642\/\",\n \"https:\/\/www.asapivs.com\/\"\n ],\n \"jobTitle\": \"Content Partner\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"medicine, health, anesthesiology, iv therapy, science, drugs, pharmaceutical, medical research, scientific research, medical journals, entrepreneurship, healthcare, orthopedic surgery, biomedical engineering\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": [\n \"University of California San Diego\",\n \"Arizona University\",\n \"University of Arizona College of Medicine\"\n ]\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"image\": {\n\"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Mindbloom_Thumbnail.png?v=1671079969\",\n\"width\": \"3757\",\n\"height\": \"3757\"\n},\n\"citation\": [\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30922101\/\", \n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32324515\/\",\n\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/ketamine-therapy\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31526207\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29561204\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.mindbloom.com\/pricing\",\n\"https:\/\/ketamineclinicsdirectory.com\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6717708\/\"\n],\n\"mentions\": [{\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"social anxiety disorder\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"Bustle\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"health insurance\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Dylan Beynon\"\n }\n],\n\"datePublished\": \"2022-12-14\",\n\"copyrightHolder\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n},\n\"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/\",\n \"description\": \"Illuminate Labs is the most transparent supplement company in the U.S., and is a leading publisher of research-based health information.\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"supplements, science, nutrition, exercise, health, medication, pharmaceutical, wellness, diet, weight loss, medical research\",\n \"publishingPrinciples\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/editorial-guidelines\",\n \"memberOf\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"U.S. Chamber of Commerce\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uschamber.com\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Certified B Corp\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/en-us\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Natural Products Association\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.npanational.org\/\"\n }\n ],\n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Illuminate_Labs_Favicon_48x48_7595c3cc-e27b-47b8-a4fe-edcc7ed9b29a.png?v=1666502785\", \n \"width\": 48,\n \"height\": 48\n},\n \"foundingDate\": \"2019-01-30\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/illuminate-labs-supplements\",\n \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCpgSJAsIPb-fZ25djtTxBEA\"\n ]\n }\n}\n\/\/ ]]\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Mindbloom_Review_Article_Header_Image_Optimized.png?v=1671079596\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDisclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). Ketamine is only legal for medical use in the U.S. and we do not recommend or condone recreational ketamine use. Patients should speak to their doctor if they are considering ketamine therapy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dc\"\u003eM\u003c\/span\u003eindbloom is an online platform that connects patients to doctors that are licensed to provide ketamine therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression. The brand proudly proclaims on their website that “psychedelic medicine is here,” and that patients can use their service to “achieve your breakthrough” with “guided experiences to help combat anxiety and depression.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBut is ketamine therapy actually proven in clinical research to reduce anxiety and depression? Is it safe? How much does it cost? And how do real users describe the effects of Mindbloom?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we review clinical research on ketamine to give our take on whether or not it’s likely to be effective for improving mental health.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe’ll also review safety and side effect data on ketamine use, explain the price of Mindbloom and how it compares to other ketamine therapy providers, and share real, unsponsored user reviews of this service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCan Ketamine Treat Depression and Anxiety?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30922101\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe American Journal of Psychiatry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e tested ketamine for depression, and compared how effective the treatment is against a pharmaceutical antidepressant. The researchers found that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eone single ketamine infusion was more effective than the pharma drug\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, and sustained infusions (3x weekly over the course of 2 weeks) provided additional benefit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e59% of depressed patients experienced a symptom reduction greater than 50% after ketamine infusions.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e This study was sponsored by a Canadian university so there are no funding bias concerns.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA 2020 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32324515\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emeta-study\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e assessed results from many clinical trials on ketamine and depression, and found the therapy to be effective in reducing average depression scores. The reviewers noted that ketamine therapy was especially effective for patients who didn’t respond to pharmaceutical antidepressants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAs we documented in our \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/ketamine-therapy\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eketamine therapy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e review, this psychedelic has also been studied for the treatment of anxiety disorders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA 2020 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31526207\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e tested ketamine therapy on patients with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders. This refers to anxiety that does not respond to pharmaceutical medication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKetamine therapy was found to be more effective than placebo for anxiety, and that the anxiety improvements after ketamine therapy persisted for up to one week after a single treatment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAnother \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29561204\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical study\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e on ketamine for anxiety found similar results. Patients with treatment resistant anxiety or social anxiety disorder (SAD) were administered weekly injections of ketamine for 3 months. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e18 of the 20 patients studied reported significant reductions in anxiety, and “marked improvements in functionality and in their personal lives.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe will conclude from the available research that ketamine therapy is effective for the treatment of both depression and anxiety, although the medical backing for ketamine as an antidepressant is more impressive in our opinion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat Does a Ketamine Therapy Treatment Look Like?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe YouTube channel Bustle published a video of someone with anxiety using ketamine in a clinical setting. The video documents the preparation that's required, shows what ketamine use in a medical setting looks like and provides an update on whether the drug was effective for relieving the patient's anxiety:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ISnJVzZj0A4\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReal, Unsponsored Mindbloom User Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe video below is published by a YouTube creator named “GetBOLD! with Stacey” who used Mindbloom. She describes her experience preparing for the ketamine therapy as well as the “trip” experience:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ydOsAKZP5cg\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA TikTok creator named “jules.pools” describes the visual hallucinations she experienced at a Mindbloom therapy session:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@jules.pools\/video\/7121749138756111659\" data-video-id=\"7121749138756111659\" style=\"max-width: 325px; min-width: 325px;\"\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\u003ca target=\"_blank\" title=\"@jules.pools\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@jules.pools?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e@jules.pools\u003c\/a\u003e The experience of physician prescribed ketamine therapy through Mindbloom. I experience visuals, which is rare. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only, talk to a doctor or psychiatrist about which treatments are right for you. In my opinion this is a very profound therapy I've tried. I am not a doctor and I'm not suggesting that everyone try this treatment. \u003ca title=\"ketaminetherapy\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/ketaminetherapy?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e#ketaminetherapy\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca title=\"therapy\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/therapy?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e#therapy\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca target=\"_blank\" title=\"♬ original sound - Jules\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7121749102668548910?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e♬ original sound - Jules\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cscript async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow Much Does Mindbloom Cost?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Mindbloom_Pricing_Optimized.png?v=1671079647\" alt=\"Mindbloom pricing\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMindbloom does not accept insurance, but some of the treatment costs can be reimbursed depending on the insurer. The brand’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mindbloom.com\/pricing\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePricing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e page provides codes that patients can use to check with their health insurance company about whether these bills can be fully or partially reimbursed after treatment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe initial program cost is currently $1,158. This includes 6 ketamine treatments\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, 2 psychiatric clinician consults and unlimited messaging. Fixed price installments are available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA renewal costs $768 and includes 6 ketamine treatments, 1 psychiatric clinician consult and unlimited messaging.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThese costs are actually quite reasonable for retail prices without considering insurance. For a comparative example, a website called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ketamineclinicsdirectory.com\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKetamine Clinics Directory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e documents prices from clinics across the U.S., and the average price appears to be over $300 per infusion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe average price per infusion with Mindbloom is only $193 and also includes unlimited messaging and other perks. This is cheaper than any of the ketamine treatment centers on the above-linked directory\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e at the time of writing this article.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill Mindbloom Cause Side Effects?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKetamine therapy does cause side effects in some patients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe most common side effects of ketamine are psychiatric (mental) rather than physical, since it’s a hallucinogenic drug. A 2019 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6717708\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e on ketamine for depression documented that \"acute psychiatric\" side effects were described in 38% of studies, and 72% of studies referenced dissociative side effects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeart rate and blood pressure can increase with ketamine use, and headache and dizziness can also be experienced.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eResearchers have noted that the safety of short-term ketamine use is well-documented, but long-term safety data is lacking. We hope that in the future more long-term trials emerge testing whether ketamine can be used as a standalone antidepressant for months-to-years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis side effect profile is favorable in comparison to the side effect profile of many prescription medications for anxiety and depression in our opinion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterview With Mindbloom Founder\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA YouTube channel called “Aaron Watson Business” interviewed Mindbloom’s founder Dylan Beynon. He compares Mindbloom to other ketamine providers, the origin story of the business, and how the community of ketamine therapy users can impact further mental health improvements. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt’s an insightful interview that’s worth a watch for anyone considering Mindbloom therapy in our opinion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5po142Aj-qI\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKetamine therapy is becoming more and more popular as a means of treating depression and anxiety. The early research on ketamine for mental health issues is promising, and at least one clinical trial found ketamine therapy to be significantly more effective for depression than a leading pharmaceutical medication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKetamine can cause side effects such as increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and visual hallucinations, which it’s why it’s so important to use in a controlled, clinical setting like what Mindbloom facilitates, and to avoid recreational use of this drug.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMindbloom appears to be significantly more cost-effective than other ketamine therapy providers, and we would recommend that patients considering ketamine therapy ask their doctor about Mindbloom instead of other ketamine companies given the potential cost savings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe think that the potential for psychedelic compounds to revolutionize the mental health industry is promising, and eagerly await more research on compounds like ketamine. These compounds may provide more benefits to patients and cause fewer side effects than pharmaceutical medications, but much more research is needed to say so conclusively.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":49281925193,"author":"Calloway Cook","user_id":26601750601,"published_at":"2022-12-14T23:56:41-05:00","updated_at":"2022-12-14T23:56:41-05:00","summary_html":"We analyze medical research on ketamine to give our take on whether Mindbloom ketamine therapy is likely to be effective for treating anxiety and depression. We share unsponsored reviews from real Mindbloom users and explain if ketamine has side effects.","template_suffix":"","handle":"mindbloom-review","tags":"_related:anti-anxiety, _related:antidepressant, _related:psychedelics"}

Mindbloom Review: Is Ketamine Life-Changing?

Mindbloom Review: Is Ketamine Life-Changing?


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Read our Editorial Guidelines to learn more about what makes our site the premier resource for online health information.

Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). Ketamine is only legal for medical use in the U.S. and we do not recommend or condone recreational ketamine use. Patients should speak to their doctor if they are considering ketamine therapy.

Mindbloom is an online platform that connects patients to doctors that are licensed to provide ketamine therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression. The brand proudly proclaims on their website that “psychedelic medicine is here,” and that patients can use their service to “achieve your breakthrough” with “guided experiences to help combat anxiety and depression.”

But is ketamine therapy actually proven in clinical research to reduce anxiety and depression? Is it safe? How much does it cost? And how do real users describe the effects of Mindbloom?

In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we review clinical research on ketamine to give our take on whether or not it’s likely to be effective for improving mental health.

We’ll also review safety and side effect data on ketamine use, explain the price of Mindbloom and how it compares to other ketamine therapy providers, and share real, unsponsored user reviews of this service.

Can Ketamine Treat Depression and Anxiety?

A clinical trial published in The American Journal of Psychiatry tested ketamine for depression, and compared how effective the treatment is against a pharmaceutical antidepressant. The researchers found that one single ketamine infusion was more effective than the pharma drug, and sustained infusions (3x weekly over the course of 2 weeks) provided additional benefit.

59% of depressed patients experienced a symptom reduction greater than 50% after ketamine infusions. This study was sponsored by a Canadian university so there are no funding bias concerns.

A 2020 meta-study assessed results from many clinical trials on ketamine and depression, and found the therapy to be effective in reducing average depression scores. The reviewers noted that ketamine therapy was especially effective for patients who didn’t respond to pharmaceutical antidepressants.

As we documented in our ketamine therapy review, this psychedelic has also been studied for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

A 2020 clinical trial tested ketamine therapy on patients with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders. This refers to anxiety that does not respond to pharmaceutical medication.

Ketamine therapy was found to be more effective than placebo for anxiety, and that the anxiety improvements after ketamine therapy persisted for up to one week after a single treatment.

Another medical study on ketamine for anxiety found similar results. Patients with treatment resistant anxiety or social anxiety disorder (SAD) were administered weekly injections of ketamine for 3 months. 18 of the 20 patients studied reported significant reductions in anxiety, and “marked improvements in functionality and in their personal lives.”

We will conclude from the available research that ketamine therapy is effective for the treatment of both depression and anxiety, although the medical backing for ketamine as an antidepressant is more impressive in our opinion.

What Does a Ketamine Therapy Treatment Look Like?

The YouTube channel Bustle published a video of someone with anxiety using ketamine in a clinical setting. The video documents the preparation that's required, shows what ketamine use in a medical setting looks like and provides an update on whether the drug was effective for relieving the patient's anxiety:

Real, Unsponsored Mindbloom User Reviews

The video below is published by a YouTube creator named “GetBOLD! with Stacey” who used Mindbloom. She describes her experience preparing for the ketamine therapy as well as the “trip” experience:

A TikTok creator named “jules.pools” describes the visual hallucinations she experienced at a Mindbloom therapy session:

@jules.pools The experience of physician prescribed ketamine therapy through Mindbloom. I experience visuals, which is rare. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only, talk to a doctor or psychiatrist about which treatments are right for you. In my opinion this is a very profound therapy I've tried. I am not a doctor and I'm not suggesting that everyone try this treatment. #ketaminetherapy #therapy ♬ original sound - Jules

How Much Does Mindbloom Cost?

Mindbloom pricing

Mindbloom does not accept insurance, but some of the treatment costs can be reimbursed depending on the insurer. The brand’s Pricing page provides codes that patients can use to check with their health insurance company about whether these bills can be fully or partially reimbursed after treatment.

The initial program cost is currently $1,158. This includes 6 ketamine treatments, 2 psychiatric clinician consults and unlimited messaging. Fixed price installments are available.

A renewal costs $768 and includes 6 ketamine treatments, 1 psychiatric clinician consult and unlimited messaging.

These costs are actually quite reasonable for retail prices without considering insurance. For a comparative example, a website called Ketamine Clinics Directory documents prices from clinics across the U.S., and the average price appears to be over $300 per infusion.

The average price per infusion with Mindbloom is only $193 and also includes unlimited messaging and other perks. This is cheaper than any of the ketamine treatment centers on the above-linked directory at the time of writing this article.

Will Mindbloom Cause Side Effects?

Ketamine therapy does cause side effects in some patients.

The most common side effects of ketamine are psychiatric (mental) rather than physical, since it’s a hallucinogenic drug. A 2019 medical review on ketamine for depression documented that "acute psychiatric" side effects were described in 38% of studies, and 72% of studies referenced dissociative side effects.

Heart rate and blood pressure can increase with ketamine use, and headache and dizziness can also be experienced.

Researchers have noted that the safety of short-term ketamine use is well-documented, but long-term safety data is lacking. We hope that in the future more long-term trials emerge testing whether ketamine can be used as a standalone antidepressant for months-to-years.

This side effect profile is favorable in comparison to the side effect profile of many prescription medications for anxiety and depression in our opinion.

Interview With Mindbloom Founder

A YouTube channel called “Aaron Watson Business” interviewed Mindbloom’s founder Dylan Beynon. He compares Mindbloom to other ketamine providers, the origin story of the business, and how the community of ketamine therapy users can impact further mental health improvements. 

It’s an insightful interview that’s worth a watch for anyone considering Mindbloom therapy in our opinion:

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Conclusion

Ketamine therapy is becoming more and more popular as a means of treating depression and anxiety. The early research on ketamine for mental health issues is promising, and at least one clinical trial found ketamine therapy to be significantly more effective for depression than a leading pharmaceutical medication.

Ketamine can cause side effects such as increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and visual hallucinations, which it’s why it’s so important to use in a controlled, clinical setting like what Mindbloom facilitates, and to avoid recreational use of this drug.

Mindbloom appears to be significantly more cost-effective than other ketamine therapy providers, and we would recommend that patients considering ketamine therapy ask their doctor about Mindbloom instead of other ketamine companies given the potential cost savings.

We think that the potential for psychedelic compounds to revolutionize the mental health industry is promising, and eagerly await more research on compounds like ketamine. These compounds may provide more benefits to patients and cause fewer side effects than pharmaceutical medications, but much more research is needed to say so conclusively.




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