Ben Medrano, MD
The Science Behind Ketamine Therapy: What the Latest Research Reveals About Treating Depression
Depression is one of the most common — and most stubborn — mental health conditions. While many people respond to traditional antidepressants like SSRIs, up to 30% of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) don’t experience full relief. This condition, known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), presents a major challenge for patients and clinicians alike.
Conventional treatments can take weeks to kick in and often fall short of full remission. But over the past decade, research has uncovered a promising alternative: ketamine therapy. Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now reshaping how we understand — and treat — mood disorders.
At Innerwell, we deliver science-backed ketamine treatment in a safe, structured, and deeply supportive way. Our approach is rooted in clinical research and designed to bring care to you, wherever you are.
Why Speed Matters: Ketamine’s Rapid Antidepressant Effect
One of the most groundbreaking discoveries about ketamine is how fast it works. Clinical studies show that a single low-dose infusion can reduce depressive symptoms within just 4 hours — a dramatic contrast to the 2–6 weeks SSRIs typically require.
Even more promising, the benefits of one ketamine dose can last up to a week, and response builds with repeated treatment:
- In a clinical study, 47% of patients with TRD achieved full remission after just four sessions.
- In a study involving unipolar TRD patients, eight (44%) of 18 completers in the ketamine group met response criteria after 24 hours, compared with 1 (6%) of 18 in the placebo group; effects persisted for 48-hour posttreatment.
- At Innerwell, 87% of patients report improvements in depression and anxiety within 4 weeks of starting treatment.
This speed can be life-changing for individuals navigating intense emotional pain or suicidal ideation.
The Brain on Ketamine: Functional Changes and Neuroplasticity
What’s happening in the brain during ketamine treatment? Neuroimaging studies offer some exciting clues.
Ketamine appears to enhance connectivity in brain networks disrupted by depression — including the salience network, striatum, and cerebellum — improving how the brain processes emotion and reward.
- In one study, patients experienced a drop in HDRS scores on the second day post ketamine infusion.
- Ketamine promotes remyelination — the repair of the brain’s communication pathways — suggesting long-term benefits for cognitive health.
Ketamine vs. ECT: How Do Outcomes Compare?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has long been considered the gold standard for TRD, but it comes with stigma, logistical challenges, and potential side effects. How does ketamine stack up?
Recent meta-analyses show no significant difference in efficacy between ketamine and ECT:
- Hedges’ g = -0.12, p = 0.68 (no efficacy difference)
- Ketamine carries a 75% lower risk of muscle pain than ECT (RR = 0.25, p = 0.02)
- While ketamine increases the risk of dissociation (RR = 5.41), these effects are transient and manageable in guided treatment settings
Ketamine for Complex Depression: Beyond Mood
Depression rarely exists in isolation — and ketamine’s benefits extend beyond mood regulation.
- Up to 85% of people with depression also experience anxiety disorders, which ketamine may help treat simultaneously.
- Emerging research shows positive effects on PTSD, chronic stress, and neuroinflammation, suggesting ketamine can help restore balance in stress-sensitive brain circuits.
This systems-based view of mental health aligns with Innerwell’s holistic care philosophy — treating not just symptoms, but the full human experience.
The Innerwell Protocol: Research-Informed, Patient-Centered
At Innerwell, we’ve designed our program to mirror the clinical research — while making it more accessible and user-friendly.
- Structured onboarding and remote sessions guided by licensed providers
- Precise, personalized dosing (0.5 mg/kg IV equivalent)
- Integrated symptom tracking through a secure platform
- Ongoing care plans all in one place, customized by your progress and needs
After 10 weeks of treatment, Innerwell patients experience an average 69% reduction in depression symptoms and a 60% reduction in anxiety symptoms. Our care model combines the rigor of clinical trials with the compassion of real-world therapy.
Backed by Research, Designed for You
The science behind ketamine is compelling — and growing by the day. From rapid relief to neurobiological healing, ketamine offers a new path forward for those who haven’t found answers in traditional treatments.
At Innerwell, we translate this research into care that’s safe, structured, and deeply supportive. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, or something in between, we're here to help you move forward.
Take the free assessment to see if ketamine therapy is right for you.
