Sam Mandel - 30,000 Infusions Later: Clinical Insights from a Ketamine Pioneer
Apr 28, 2025
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Sam Mandel, co-founder and CEO of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, shares his inspiring journey in pioneering ketamine infusion therapy for mental health. He discusses the evolution of KCLA from a storage closet to a leading clinic, overcoming stigma and emphasizing patient-centric care. Sam critiques the current mental health system while advocating for individualized treatment approaches. He also highlights the challenges of integrating new therapies and the importance of creating a supportive environment for healing.
Sam Mandel discusses the triumphs and challenges of founding Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles, pioneering ketamine infusion therapy amid initial skepticism from the medical community.
The clinic boasts an impressive 83% success rate for ketamine therapy, significantly outperforming traditional treatments and providing rapid relief to treatment-resistant patients.
Mandel emphasizes the critical importance of individualized treatment plans in mental health care, ensuring patients receive tailored support and fostering effective therapeutic relationships.
Deep dives
The Transformative Power of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment option for individuals suffering from depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Many patients experience life-changing outcomes, such as one individual who redirected funds saved for their funeral to take their children on a vacation after successful treatment. The remarkable success rates of ketamine therapy, standing at 83%, far exceed traditional treatment methods, which generally show a clinical improvement rate of 50-70%. This effectiveness is attributed to a unique approach that provides rapid relief for patients considered treatment-resistant, showcasing the profound potential of ketamine in mental health care.
Building a Successful Ketamine Clinic
The journey of establishing Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA) was marked by skepticism from the medical community when it opened in 2014, as many viewed ketamine use as radical. Starting from humble beginnings in a small storage closet, the clinic has grown significantly, administering over 30,000 infusions to date. Sam Mandel, co-founder and CEO, emphasizes that the commitment to patient care and individualized treatment plans has been pivotal to their success. The focus on creating a supportive environment alongside evidence-based practices has enabled KCLA to thrive despite early resistance.
Individualized Treatment and Patient-Centered Care
A fundamental aspect of KCLA's approach is the emphasis on individualized treatment, which enhances the therapeutic relationship and treatment efficacy. Sam stresses the importance of making patients feel valued and understood throughout their journey—from the initial consultation to follow-up care. By utilizing detailed assessments to tailor infusions based on patients' unique needs and progress, they achieve better outcomes than standardized protocols. This holistic approach ensures that patients receive personalized care and the most suitable dosage for their specific situations, contributing to their high success rate.
Navigating Challenges in Mental Health Care
The challenges of integrating ketamine therapy into the mental health care system are compounded by the insurance industry's inefficiencies and regulatory hurdles. Many providers face difficulties with insurance reimbursement, leading to financial instability for practices offering crucial mental health services. The reliance on IV ketamine, which remains not fully recognized by insurance companies, contrasts starkly with the higher costs associated with alternatives like Spravato. This disparity highlights the need for systemic reform in mental health care that incentivizes effective treatments, rather than perpetuating costly and less effective options.
Future Directions for Psychedelic Medicine
Despite the recent setback in FDA approval for MDMA-assisted therapy, there is optimism about the future of psychedelic treatments in mental health care. KCLA is prepared to adapt and incorporate new findings and treatments as they become available, with a commitment to evidence-based and patient-centered care. The evolution of therapies, including the potential use of MDMA, psilocybin, and others, aligns with the broader goal of providing comprehensive care that addresses patient needs and fosters healing. The ongoing exploration of psychedelics signifies a shift towards more effective mental health treatments, which is essential for transforming the current health landscape.
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Sam Mandel, co-founder and CEO of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA). Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-301-sam-mandel/?ref=278 Sam shares his journey co-founding KCLA with his father in 2014, pioneering ketamine infusion therapy when few were exploring its potential for mental health. From humble beginnings in a storage closet to becoming a leading mental health center with over 30,000 infusions administered, Sam discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a patient-centric practice. He explains the science behind ketamine's effectiveness compared to alternatives like Spravato, highlights the importance of individualized treatment, and offers a passionate critique of the current mental healthcare system while envisioning what meaningful reform could look like.
Co-founder & CEO of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA), Sam Mandel has channeled his lifelong passion for healthcare advocacy into transforming mental health care. From volunteering at a teen-to-teen suicide prevention hotline at twelve to pioneering one of the foremost Ketamine Infusion Therapy clinics in 2014 alongside his father, Dr. Steven L. Mandel, Sam has been featured in Entrepreneur's Top 10 Inspiring Healthcare Entrepreneurs (2023) and earned two 2024 Stevie Awards. Under his leadership, KCLA has provided over 30,000 infusions to more than 6,000 patients with an 83% success rate, establishing gold-standard treatment protocols while expanding services to include General Psychiatry and TMS therapy. Highlights:
The founding story of KCLA and early skepticism from the medical community
Why IV ketamine outperforms nasal Spravato in efficacy and cost-efficiency
Creating individualized ketamine protocols for optimal patient outcomes
How insurance companies create barriers to effective mental healthcare
KCLA's 83% success rate compared to 50-70% in controlled research settings
Expanding from ketamine to TMS and general psychiatry
Preparing for future psychedelic medicines like MDMA and psilocybin
The critical flaws in America's mental healthcare system
