About Ketamine Therapy
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine is a medication that has been used safely as an anesthetic for over 50 years. In recent years, research has shown that low-dose ketamine can produce rapid and significant improvements in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain — often within hours or days, rather than the weeks or months required by traditional antidepressants.
Unlike conventional psychiatric medications that target serotonin or norepinephrine, ketamine works primarily on the brain's glutamate system and promotes neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to form new neural connections. This unique mechanism of action is why ketamine can help patients who haven't responded to other treatments.
Conditions Treated with Ketamine
- Depression — Including treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Ketamine has shown response rates of 60-70% in patients who have failed multiple antidepressants.
- Anxiety — Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Ketamine can reduce anxiety symptoms rapidly while longer-term treatments take effect.
- PTSD — Post-traumatic stress disorder. Ketamine therapy may help reduce the intensity of traumatic memories and associated symptoms.
- Chronic Pain — Neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and migraine. Ketamine can modulate pain signaling pathways.
- OCD — Obsessive-compulsive disorder, particularly cases that are resistant to standard SSRI treatment.
- Bipolar Disorder — Specifically bipolar depression episodes, administered under careful psychiatric supervision.
- Addiction — Emerging research supports ketamine-assisted therapy for substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid dependence.
Types of Ketamine Treatment
- IV Infusion — Ketamine delivered intravenously in a clinical setting, typically over 40-60 minutes. This is the most studied and widely available form of ketamine therapy.
- Spravato (Esketamine) Nasal Spray — An FDA-approved nasal spray form of ketamine administered in certified healthcare settings under medical supervision.
- Sublingual/Oral — Ketamine lozenges or tablets dissolved under the tongue, often prescribed for at-home use between clinic visits.
- Intramuscular (IM) — Ketamine injected into the muscle, providing a middle ground between IV and oral administration in terms of bioavailability and onset.
- At-Home Programs — Telehealth-supervised ketamine programs where patients receive sublingual or nasal spray ketamine at home with remote medical monitoring.
What to Expect
A typical ketamine treatment course involves an initial series of sessions (often 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks), followed by maintenance treatments as needed. During an infusion, patients may experience altered perceptions, relaxation, and mild dissociation. Sessions are supervised by medical professionals, and patients should arrange transportation home afterward.
It's important to discuss your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals with your provider before starting ketamine therapy. Not all patients are candidates for ketamine treatment, and a thorough evaluation is an essential first step.
About This Directory
The Ketamine Therapy Directory includes 1160+ providers across 7 practice types and 49 states. Listings are compiled from multiple sources including medical directories, provider websites, and professional organizations.
This directory is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. We encourage patients to verify provider credentials, discuss treatment options with their healthcare team, and confirm insurance coverage or pricing directly with any provider before scheduling an appointment.
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