Therapeutic-Dose Sessions vs Daily Low-Dose: Two Different Models

The most fundamental difference between Discreet Ketamine and Joyous is the dosing approach. Discreet Ketamine uses therapeutic-dose ketamine sessions, where patients take a higher dose during structured, physician-supervised sessions designed to produce meaningful neuroplastic change. Joyous follows a daily low-dose (often called microdose) model, where patients take a smaller amount of ketamine each day. These represent fundamentally different treatment philosophies.

• Discreet Ketamine: therapeutic-dose sessions (typically 1-2 per week) designed for deep neuroplastic benefit
• Joyous: daily low-dose ketamine taken in small amounts each day
• Therapeutic doses are supported by the majority of published clinical research on ketamine for depression
• Low-dose daily protocols have less robust clinical evidence compared to therapeutic-dose approaches
• Your ideal approach may depend on your condition severity, treatment history, and physician recommendation

Physician Involvement and Medical Oversight

The level of physician involvement differs meaningfully between the two providers. At Discreet Ketamine, Dr. Ben Soffer, DO, a board-certified physician, directly manages every patient's care, including initial evaluation, dosing decisions, follow-up visits, and ongoing adjustments. Joyous has historically relied more heavily on text-based check-ins and asynchronous communication for ongoing patient monitoring.

• Discreet Ketamine: live video consultations with your physician before, during, and after treatment
• Joyous: text-based daily check-ins and asynchronous provider communication
• Direct physician oversight allows for more nuanced dosing adjustments based on your response
• Board-certified physician review of your complete medical history and medication interactions
• Real-time clinical decisions rather than algorithm-driven or text-based assessments

Session Structure and Guided Experience

Discreet Ketamine's therapeutic-dose sessions are structured, intentional experiences guided by KetAI, our AI session companion. Each session includes preparation, the guided experience itself, and post-session integration. This structured approach differs from the daily-use model where patients self-administer smaller doses without formal session guidance.

• KetAI provides real-time safety monitoring and guided breathing during each session
• Post-session integration tools help patients process and apply insights from their experience
• Structured sessions are designed around the clinical research supporting therapeutic-dose ketamine
• Journaling and reflection prompts support the therapeutic process between sessions
• Session data is shared with your physician to inform ongoing treatment decisions

Which Approach May Be Right for You?

Both therapeutic-dose and low-dose ketamine have their place in mental health treatment. The best choice depends on your specific situation, the severity of your symptoms, your treatment history, and your physician's recommendation. Here are some factors that may help guide your decision.

• Therapeutic-dose sessions may be more appropriate for treatment-resistant depression and more severe symptoms
• The therapeutic-dose model has stronger published clinical evidence supporting its efficacy
• Daily low-dose approaches may appeal to those who prefer a more gradual, ongoing protocol
• If you have not responded to other treatments, therapeutic-dose sessions may offer a more robust intervention
• A board-certified physician can help determine which approach is most appropriate for your situation