Ketamine acts on the glutamate system — the brain's primary excitatory pathway — to trigger rapid formation of new neural connections. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks, ketamine can begin restoring synaptic density within hours, offering hope when other treatments have failed.
72%
Response Rate
24-Hour Onset
Rapid Relief
FDA
Recognized
Your Journey
THE EXPERIENCE
01
Consultation
Personalized Screening
Your journey begins with a comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation. Our clinicians review your history, current medications, and treatment goals to determine if ketamine therapy is right for you. This includes a free 15-minute phone screening.
02
The Infusion
Calm Clinical Environment
Relax in a private, comfortable suite as your precisely dosed IV infusion is administered over 40-60 minutes. Kyle Gonzales, DNP, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a background in critical care — is present and 1:1 with you for every infusion, monitoring your comfort and safety throughout. Many patients describe the experience as deeply calming and introspective.
03
Integration
Lasting Results
The benefits extend beyond the infusion room. We provide guidance on integration practices, follow-up assessments, and maintenance protocols to help you sustain the neural pathways being rebuilt. Most patients complete a series of 6 infusions.
LUMUS offers a full spectrum of evidence-based services — from psychiatry concierge and telehealth to addiction medicine and medically supervised weight loss. All under the care of our board-certified clinical team.
"After 8 years and five failed antidepressants, I felt relief within a day of my first infusion. By the end of my 6-infusion series over 3 weeks, my PHQ-9 score dropped from 22 to 7. It was like someone turned the lights back on in my mind — I'm finally present for my family again."
M.R.
PTSD
★★★★★
"After 4 infusions over two weeks, the nightmares that haunted me for years started to fade. The team at LUMUS made me feel safe throughout the entire process. My PCL-5 score went from 64 to 28 — the results have been nothing short of life-changing. I can sleep through the night again."
S.K.
Chronic Pain
★★★★★
"I was skeptical, but the science convinced me to try. Three sessions into my 6-infusion protocol, my pain levels dropped from an 8 to a 3 on the VAS scale. After completing the full series over 4 weeks, I've reduced my opioid use by 80%. I can live again."
J.T.
Our Clinic
Corona, California
LUMUS is a medically supervised, evidence-based ketamine therapy center dedicated to providing safe, effective treatment for patients who haven't found relief through conventional approaches. Our board-certified clinicians combine cutting-edge neuroscience with compassionate care in a state-of-the-art clinical environment.
Led by Michael Garcia, M.D. — Board-Certified Psychiatrist — alongside Angelica Parocua, PA-C and Kyle Gonzales, DNP, PMHNP-BC, your dedicated ketamine infusion specialist.
Ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for over 50 years as an anesthetic. At sub-anesthetic doses used for mental health treatment, it has an excellent safety profile. All infusions at LUMUS are administered by board-certified medical professionals with continuous monitoring throughout your session.
Most patients complete an initial series of 6 infusions over 2–3 weeks. Many experience significant improvement after just 1–2 sessions. After completing the induction series, maintenance boosters are typically recommended every 4–8 weeks to sustain results. Your treatment plan is personalized based on your response.
IV ketamine therapy is not currently covered by most insurance plans. LUMUS is a cash-pay clinic with transparent pricing. We provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We also offer financing options to make treatment accessible.
Most patients describe the experience as deeply relaxing and introspective. You may feel a sense of floating, mild dissociation, or enhanced sensory perception. The effects are temporary and typically resolve within 30–60 minutes after the infusion ends. You'll be in a private suite with calming music and a dedicated medical professional nearby at all times.
No referral is needed. You can schedule a free 15-minute screening directly with our team. During this consultation, we'll review your treatment history and determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate for your condition. We do coordinate with your existing providers when applicable.
Many patients notice improvement within hours to days of their first infusion — a stark contrast to the 4–6 week waiting period typical of traditional antidepressants. Clinical studies show a 72% response rate for treatment-resistant depression with IV ketamine therapy.
No. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after each session. The effects of ketamine can impair coordination and judgment for several hours. We recommend resting for the remainder of the day following your infusion.
LUMUS treats treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, bipolar depression, and postpartum depression. Ketamine therapy is particularly effective for patients who have not responded to two or more conventional treatments.
Common side effects during the infusion include mild nausea, dizziness, and a temporary increase in heart rate or blood pressure. Some patients experience a sense of dissociation or dreamlike perceptions. These effects are transient and typically resolve within 30–60 minutes after the infusion ends. Serious side effects are rare when ketamine is administered at sub-anesthetic doses in a monitored clinical setting. Our medical team monitors you continuously throughout every session.
At the low, sub-anesthetic doses used in clinical therapy, there is no established risk of addiction. Ketamine infusion therapy is administered in a controlled medical setting with precise dosing protocols, which is fundamentally different from recreational misuse. Our team carefully monitors each patient's treatment frequency and response to ensure safe, responsible use throughout the course of therapy.
The IV infusion itself lasts approximately 40 minutes. However, plan to be at the clinic for about 90 minutes to 2 hours total. This includes a pre-treatment check-in with vitals assessment, the infusion, and a monitored recovery period afterward to ensure you're feeling stable before heading home.
The effects of a single infusion may last anywhere from several days up to about two weeks. After completing the initial induction series of 6 infusions, many patients experience sustained improvement lasting several weeks to months. Maintenance infusions — typically scheduled every 4–8 weeks — help prolong the benefits. Individual results vary based on the condition being treated and each patient's unique response.
Ketamine therapy is generally recommended for adults who have not responded adequately to two or more conventional treatments such as antidepressants or talk therapy. Good candidates include patients with treatment-resistant depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, OCD, or certain chronic pain conditions. During your free consultation, our team will review your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals to determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate for you.
Certain conditions may make ketamine therapy inadvisable, including uncontrolled high blood pressure, active substance abuse disorders, a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, and certain cardiac conditions. Pregnancy is also a contraindication. Our team conducts a thorough medical screening before approving any patient for treatment to ensure your safety.
We recommend eating a light meal 2–3 hours before your appointment, staying well-hydrated throughout the day, and wearing comfortable clothing. You should arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home, as you cannot drive for at least 24 hours after treatment. Continue taking your regular medications unless our team advises otherwise. Arrive with an open mind and avoid alcohol or recreational substances beforehand.
Rest at home for the remainder of the day. Continue hydrating with water and electrolytes. Avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, signing contracts, or making major decisions until the following day. Avoid alcohol and recreational substances for at least 24 hours. Many patients find it helpful to journal their thoughts and reflections after a session. Our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions and is available for any questions or concerns.
LUMUS offers transparent, competitive pricing for all ketamine services. Visit our pricing page for current rates. While IV ketamine is not covered by most insurance plans, we provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement and offer financing through CareCredit and Affirm with monthly payments starting as low as $99. HSA and FSA accounts can also often be used toward treatment costs.
