Limbic Medical

The practice utilizes the benefits of ketamine — an anesthetic that has shown medical benefits in alleviating mood disorders like depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD — by offering in-office IV treatments and at-home microdose treatments to meet patients’ needs.

“Ketamine infusion treatments are quickly being recognized as one of the most important advances in modern-day therapy for mood disorders,” says Dr. Andre Atoian, the firm’s co-founder and medical director. “While new investigations are underway to understand the true scope of ketamine’s powers, ketamine infusion therapy can be an effective part of a multi-modal approach to treat and overcome chronic and neuropathic pain.” 

In 2019, the firm changed its name from Ketamine Specialists to Limbic Medical, a choice inspired by the limbic system of the brain, where “all of the different mind and body systems integrate and effectively determine what we experience as human beings,” Dr. Atoian says. “We wanted our name to reflect our evolution into a whole-person approach, integrating ketamine treatments for mood disorders, pain and addiction with functional and ultra-wellness medicine. We now take a multifaceted approach that targets the limbic system in order to optimize our patients so that they can enjoy more fulfilled and realized lives.” 

Triple–board certified in anesthesiology, pain and addiction medicine, Dr. Atoian has a deep-rooted passion for helping people navigate through trauma and difficult obstacles in their lives.

“Helping people is just something I’ve always done,” he says. “I’m driven by helping those in need. I started my career as a trauma anesthesiologist, and in some ways, I’m still providing care to those who are now struggling with the aftermath of traumatic events, both physical and mental.”

As an example of the difference Limbic Medical has made in the community, Dr. Atoian describes how a patient came to them with crippling chronic abdominal pain, severe inflammation, extreme food restriction and a history of severe depression and anxiety. “With a combination of ketamine treatments, targeted supplements, dietary changes and health coaching, she was able to go back to work, engage in social activities and enjoy a variety of foods again.” 

In order to best help those suffering, the practice works closely with “nutritional health coaches, physical therapists and psychologists to provide ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as needed,” Dr. Atoian explains. “We also offer our patients IV hydration and vitamin therapies.”

As proud as Dr. Atoian is to provide life-changing services to patients, he’s also proud of his strong Toluca Lake roots and ability to assist his neighbors. “Part of why we moved the practice from Beverly Hills to Toluca Lake is to serve our community while being close to home,” he says. “I wanted to lead by example and show our children the importance of work, serving our community and helping others.”

Dr. Atoian co-founded his family-owned business with his wife, Suzy, who serves as the practice’s operations lead. The pair have two children and have lived in Toluca Lake for almost a decade.

“What makes Toluca Lake special is the people,” he says. “Being able to walk in the neighborhood and run into familiar faces makes this a truly special place. Toluca Lake is great! I can’t see myself raising our young family anywhere else.”