What Is Ketamine Therapy and How Does It Work?
It all begins with an idea.
Ketamine therapy is a breakthrough treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. It works differently than traditional antidepressants by quickly restoring connections in the brain that help improve mood and thinking.
What Is Ketamine?
Originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine is now being used off-label in much lower doses to treat mental health conditions—especially for people who haven’t found relief with traditional treatments. At our clinic, we use ketamine infusions in a safe, medically supervised setting to help you feel better, often much faster than standard medications.
How Does Ketamine Work?
Ketamine targets a different pathway in the brain than typical antidepressants. Instead of focusing on serotonin or dopamine, ketamine acts on the brain’s glutamate system—a major player in learning, memory, and mood regulation.
Glutamate helps strengthen and form new connections between brain cells, which is known as neuroplasticity. By enhancing neuroplasticity, ketamine helps the brain "reset," making it easier to develop healthier thought patterns, process trauma, and feel emotionally balanced.
What Makes It Different from Traditional Antidepressants?
Speed: Many patients notice improvements in mood, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts within hours to days—much faster than typical antidepressants that can take 4–6 weeks.
Mechanism: Unlike SSRIs or SNRIs, ketamine doesn’t just raise serotonin. It helps the brain build new neural pathways.
Effectiveness for Treatment-Resistant Cases: If you’ve tried multiple medications without relief, ketamine may still work. It’s often used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and PTSD.
Mood & Cognitive Boost: Many people also report better focus, reduced mental fog, and increased motivation.
Conditions Ketamine Can Help With
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Bipolar Depression
PTSD
Anxiety Disorders
Chronic Pain (including CRPS and fibromyalgia)
Is Ketamine Safe?
Yes—when used in a controlled, clinical setting by experienced providers. We screen each patient carefully and monitor you during each session. Side effects are usually mild and temporary, like dizziness, nausea, or a floating feeling during the infusion. Most patients tolerate it very well.
What to Expect at Our Clinic
At your first visit, we’ll review your medical history, answer your questions, and discuss whether ketamine is a good fit for your needs. If you’re a candidate, you’ll begin a series of infusions in a calm, supportive environment. Each session lasts about 40 minutes, with time afterward to rest and recover before heading home.
The Bottom Line
Ketamine therapy offers hope to those who haven’t responded to traditional treatments. It’s fast-acting, research-supported, and focuses on healing the brain from the inside out.
Ready to learn more or schedule a consultation? Call or text us at 719.414.7846