International Spine, Pain & Performance Center

International Spine, Pain & Performance Center offers ketamine infusions in downtown Washington, DC. The board certified pain management and anesthesia specialists use it for both physical pain and mental health conditions that have not responded to standard treatment.

Their explanation of the mechanism is more detailed than most. Ketamine acts on both AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors, restoring receptor function and building new connections between brain regions tied to mood, memory, and perception. Those changes persist for weeks or months after the drug itself has cleared, unlike medications that require steady blood levels.

They also note that ketamine can induce gamma brain waves during infusion, the pattern seen in experienced meditators, and that the shift in perception during a session often helps patients reframe their circumstances. Lidocaine infusions and TMS are also offered. Sister offices operate in Arlington and Pulaski, Virginia.