Ketamine Therapy for Depression and Anxiety: A New Path to Healing

Living with treatment-resistant depression or anxiety can feel like being trapped in an endless storm. If you've tried multiple medications and therapies without finding relief, ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety offers new possibilities for those who have struggled with conventional approaches.

Originally an anesthetic from the 1960s, ketamine provides rapid relief—sometimes within hours—unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks or months. It works by affecting glutamate rather than serotonin, creating new neural connections in areas of the brain affected by depression and anxiety.

According to a study from Harvard, more than half of patients with treatment-resistant depression experience significant improvement with ketamine treatment.

What Is Ketamine Therapy for Depression and Anxiety?

Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, triggering effects that rapidly enhance neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new neural connections. Treatment options include intravenous (IV) infusions administered directly into the bloodstream over 40-60 minutes, FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato®) nasal spray, sublingual tablets/lozenges used in at-home treatment under telehealth supervision, and intramuscular (IM) injections that provide effects between IV and oral routes.

Medical ketamine therapy features precise dosing, professional monitoring, therapeutic integration, and comprehensive safety protocols.

How Ketamine Therapy Works for Depression and Anxiety

Ketamine works on the brain's glutamate system, enhancing synaptic plasticity and neural connectivity crucial for mood regulation. Available through various methods, including at-home ketamine treatment, it also activates the mTOR pathway, promoting rapid synapse formation within hours of treatment.

Unlike traditional antidepressants that need 3-6 weeks to work, ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety provides relief within hours or days. A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found significant improvement in depressive symptoms within 24 hours of treatment.

Ketamine promotes neuroplasticity by enhancing BDNF release which supports neuron growth, promoting dendritic spine formation creating new communication pathways, and improving synaptic connectivity throughout the brain.

Clinical Evidence and Effectiveness

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found 55% of ketamine patients experienced sustained improvement without major side effects.

Researchers found that after just three infusions, 52% of participants with severe depression achieved remission.

One limitation is ketamine's relatively short duration, lasting 3-7 days after a single infusion. A JAMA Network Open study noted that while rapid effects can be enhanced with complementary therapies, benefits weren't consistently sustained in months 4 to 12.

What to Expect During Ketamine Therapy

Before Treatment

You'll undergo psychiatric evaluation, medical screening, medication review, risk/benefit discussion, and go through an informed consent process.

During a Session

A typical session begins with a pre-session check-in, including vital signs. After administration via your chosen method, you'll experience the ketamine effects, which may include dissociation and emotional release. Throughout the session, an Innerwell monitor tracks your vital signs, followed by a recovery period of 1-2 hours.

Typical protocols involve 6 initial infusions over 2-3 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments.

After Treatment

You may feel tired or emotionally sensitive. Exploring integration therapy options through follow-up appointments and therapy maximizes benefits.

Safety, Side Effects, and Considerations

Short-term effects may include dissociation (feelings of detachment), physical symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, increased blood pressure, and blurred vision, along with psychological effects like confusion, anxiety, and vivid dreams.

Good candidates include people with treatment-resistant depression or anxiety and those needing rapid intervention for suicidal thoughts. Ketamine is not suitable for those with uncontrolled high blood pressure, history of psychosis, active substance use disorders, severe liver disease, or pregnancy.

Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?

Consider ketamine if you've tried multiple antidepressants without relief, experience severe symptoms affecting daily functioning, or need rapid symptom relief.

Assess your treatment history, symptom severity, and commitment to the protocol, and discuss specific benefits and risks with your provider. If you're ready to explore this option, consult with experienced ketamine therapy clinicians who can guide you through the process.

Ketamine Therapy and Conventional Treatments

Ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety works best as part of a comprehensive approach. It can be combined with traditional antidepressants for complementary benefits, psychotherapy such as online EMDR therapy to enhance neuroplasticity effects, and lifestyle interventions like exercise and stress management.

Working with experienced professionals, including our Innerwell clinicians, can help integrate ketamine therapy with conventional treatments for the best outcomes.

Ketamine often serves as a breakthrough catalyst, a bridge providing rapid relief, or an intermittent intervention for maintaining stability.

Starting Your Ketamine Therapy Journey

The initial consultation includes medical screening, contraindication evaluation, treatment goal discussion, process explanation, and payment review. This allows us to create a personalized ketamine treatment plan that suits your needs.

Preparation involves creating an appropriate setting, mindset preparation, and introduction to integration practices.

A New Horizon in Mental Health Treatment

For those with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, ketamine therapy represents a true breakthrough. Studies show that 55% of patients experience sustained improvement in depressive symptoms.

When combined with integration therapy and the right support, ketamine offers more than symptom relief—it opens the door to deep personal insight and meaningful, lasting change. If you've been struggling with mental health challenges that haven’t responded to traditional treatment, there’s hope.

At Innerwell, expert-guided ketamine therapy is designed to meet you where you are—safe, personalized, and accessible from the comfort of home. Take our quick assessment to see if ketamine therapy is right for you, and start your journey toward healing today.