Traditional antidepressants work by adjusting serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine levels and can take four to six weeks to become effective. Ketamine works through an entirely different mechanism — targeting the glutamate system and NMDA receptors — which allows it to produce relief within hours or days rather than weeks. This makes it especially valuable for patients in acute crisis or those who have failed multiple antidepressant trials.

Ketamine therapy may be appropriate for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation, bipolar depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, or certain chronic pain conditions. Our team will conduct a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation to determine whether ketamine therapy is suitable for your specific situation and health history.

Ketamine therapy is generally well-tolerated when administered by trained medical professionals. Possible temporary side effects during or shortly after treatment may include:

• Dissociation or a dream-like state
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Temporary increase in blood pressure

These effects typically resolve within a few hours. Our clinical team monitors patients closely throughout each session to ensure safety and comfort.

Many patients report noticeable improvement in mood and a reduction in depressive symptoms within hours to days of their first ketamine treatment. Results can continue to build over a series of treatments. Most initial treatment protocols consist of a series of infusions administered over a few weeks, followed by maintenance sessions as needed.

Ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for decades as an anesthetic. When used for depression and mood disorders at sub-anesthetic doses under careful medical supervision, it carries a strong safety record supported by thousands of clinical studies. Our providers follow established protocols and perform thorough pre-treatment evaluations to minimize risk.

The duration of relief varies from patient to patient. Some individuals experience lasting benefits for months after a series of treatments. Others may benefit from periodic maintenance infusions. Our team works closely with each patient to monitor response and adjust the treatment plan over time for the best long-term outcomes.