Laguna Beach, CA

A calmer path through treatment-resistant depression.

Mind Space Ketamine is a certified Spravato® (esketamine) provider, helping adults who haven't found relief from oral antidepressants alone.

Call (949) 392-0159 Learn how it works
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Why it matters

Mission

Major Depressive Disorder affects more than 21 million adults — about 8.3% of the U.S. population. Even with treatment, 1 in 3 patients has treatment-resistant depression, still experiencing symptoms after two or more oral antidepressants. There are new treatments that can help.

We're here to transform lives through compassionate, personalized, comprehensive care — delivering innovative, cutting-edge treatment so patients can overcome depression and reach lasting mental wellness.

The basics

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects. It distorts the perception of sight and sound, making patients feel detached from their pain and environment — sometimes called a "dissociative anesthetic hallucinogen."

What is Spravato®?

Spravato is the active form of the drug, delivered as a nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression.

How does it feel when you take Spravato®?

A feeling of relaxation, euphoria, and calm — it can also cause dissociation or dizziness.

How long do treatments take?

Preparation, administration, observation, and post-treatment together take at most 2 hours.

Do patients need a ride to and from appointments?

Yes. Spravato® can cause sedation, dizziness, and impaired ability to drive — patients need a ride.

Meet your provider

Our Doctor

Dr. Charles Nguyen

Medical Director

Dr. Charles Nguyen

Psychiatry

Charles Nguyen, MD, DFAPA is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Nguyen earned his medical degree and completed a residency in Psychiatry at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, and later served as the Psychiatry Residency Training Director.

An active researcher, Dr. Nguyen participates in trials on post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. He has been an invited lecturer on schizophrenia, weight-gain management with antipsychotics, and obesity treatment.

Dr. Nguyen has won the UC Irvine Psychiatry Residency Teacher of the Year and School of Medicine Excellence in Teaching awards, including the Golden Apple Award for best teacher at the UC Irvine Medical Center.

He is the author of The Thinsulin Program: A Breakthrough Solution to Help You Lose Weight and Stay Thin, named by the LA Times as one of the top diet books of 2016.

Dr. Nguyen takes a comprehensive approach — educating patients on their illness and treatment options, and working with each as a collaborator to build a personalized plan that enhances well-being, minimizes stress, and improves quality of life.

Schedule an appointment by calling

(949) 392-0159

Hours at the Laguna Beach Clinic

Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spravato™? ▼

Spravato™, an FDA-approved medication administered as a nasal spray, is a new option for millions of Americans suffering from depression — commonly used alongside oral antidepressants in clinic settings.

Where do I get Spravato™? ▼

Although Spravato™ esketamine is administered as a nasal spray, people are not permitted to purchase it for home use. Patients may receive Spravato under medical supervision at a clinic or doctor's office certified by the maker of Spravato™ as an authorized provider. Mind Space Ketamine is a certified authorized provider of Spravato™.

How do I qualify for Spravato™? ▼

Spravato™ is not for everyone — it's only approved for adults suffering from Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD). Your doctor will work with you to determine if you qualify for treatment. Contact our team at Mind Space Ketamine to learn more about treatment options and discuss your specific situation.

Does my insurance cover Spravato™? ▼

Spravato™ is covered by most insurance. Mind Space Ketamine has a team dedicated to determining insurance coverage and managing related paperwork, so you can focus on getting better. We'll work with you and your insurance to make treatment available as quickly as possible with minimal out-of-pocket cost.

Mind Space Ketamine offers FREE insurance verification to confirm your coverage and guide you through next steps.

What happens during treatment? ▼

You'll receive intranasal Spravato™, and a healthcare professional will monitor you for at least 2 hours. You won't be able to drive or operate machinery requiring full alertness until the next day, following a restful sleep.

How do I get more information about Spravato? ▼

Call Mind Space Ketamine to learn more about Spravato™. For additional information from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the maker of Spravato™, visit www.spravato.com.

What is the difference between Spravato™ and ketamine? ▼

Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist — NMDA receptors are thought to play a major role in depression. Ketamine is infused intravenously at low doses and is not FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Spravato™, generically known as esketamine, is the S-enantiomer of racemic ketamine, a mixture of R-ketamine and S-ketamine. This FDA-approved treatment is the first of its kind, and can help adults who have struggled with depression and failed at least 2 oral antidepressants.

The safety and efficacy of esketamine (Spravato™) is supported by many short- and long-term studies. A 2020 study by Papakostas examined esketamine use across 774 people in 5 trials, showing patients with MDD or MDSI who received Spravato had better outcomes than those who received placebo.

Important Safety Information

SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects. Please consult with your healthcare provider for complete safety information.

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