What Is Ketamine Therapy? A Detailed Scientific Guide

If you’ve seen signs for ketamine centers near you or noticed ads for at-home ketamine on social media, you’re probably aware that the psychedelic-like drug is gaining fame as a mental health treatment for certain conditions.
From its five-decade-long history and its potential health benefits, to risks and what to expect if you pursue treatment under your doctor’s guidance, here’s what you should know about ketamine therapy.
Definition of Ketamine Therapy
- Dissociative You may feel disconnected from your own thoughts and feelings, those around you, and your environment.
- Anesthetic It relieves pain.
- Hallucinogen You may experience changes in consciousness.
History of Ketamine Therapy
In short, to date, only the esketamine form of ketamine is FDA approved for mental health conditions.
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How Ketamine Therapy Works
As a dissociative anesthetic, “ketamine works on the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in the brain to inhibit the effects of a neurotransmitter called glutamate,” says Reid Robison, MD, a psychedelic psychiatrist and the chief clinical officer at Numinus, a company that offers psychedelic medicine, including ketamine therapy.
Because ketamine distribution for treatment, outside of the FDA-approved Spravato, does not have universally agreed-upon treatment protocols, each clinic or company has their own protocol for how many ketamine sessions are recommended and how follow-up sessions and maintenance doses are handled.
Along with new neural connections, the drug’s dissociative properties may lay the foundation for a perspective shift among people who use it. “As the medicine takes effect, you can have a feeling of being outside of your body or being connected with things beyond your limited sense of self,” says Robison. These can be positive feelings of peace and joy for many with mental health disorders.
But there is a second component to the treatment that is just as important as the medication: therapy.
“We believe that the combination of medication and therapy is better,” says Robison. He describes ketamine as a bridge that can help take someone out of crisis so that they can successfully engage in therapy. “Think of ketamine as a therapy accelerator,” he says. In therapy, you can then talk to a mental health professional about your experience and what you learned.
Because of potentially enhanced brain plasticity from the drug, you may be better able to make changes to your thought patterns and lifestyle that ultimately move the needle toward improved mental health.
Types of Ketamine Therapy
There are various ways you can obtain ketamine-assisted therapy, including:
- Esketamine (Spravato) The FDA-approved form of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, Spravato is a nasal spray given in a healthcare office.
- Intravenous ketamine A ketamine infusion is given via an IV at a ketamine center or medical office. You may also have sessions with a psychotherapist to help you process the events.
- In-office oral ketamine An oral tablet (often delivered sublingually) is given in a medical office, which may include medical supervision during treatment. Similar to IV ketamine, this is often offered alongside psychotherapy, which may also be called integration therapy.
- At-home oral ketamine Ketamine tablets are shipped to one’s home via an online company after receiving a prescription from a healthcare provider. Virtual therapy may also be offered along with it.
- Subcutaneous and intramuscular ketamine is injected either into the fatty tissue beneath the skin or deep into muscle tissue while under medical observation.
Possible Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
As the science surrounding ketamine therapy improves, so too the potential applications of the treatment. Here’s how it may alleviate certain health concerns, according to a sample of the research we found.
Treats Major Depressive Disorder or Treatment-Resistant Depression
May Help With Chronic PTSD
May Be Useful in Anxiety Disorders
May Treat Substance Use Disorders
May Help Chronic Pain, Neurologic Conditions, and Palliative Care
Emerging research suggests that ketamine may be useful for chronic pain and neurologic conditions, though further research is needed in these areas.
Ketamine Therapy Safety and Side Effects
For people with the certain mental health concerns mentioned above, ketamine therapy is generally considered safe and effective when practiced under the care of a licensed therapist or doctor.
- Dissociation
- Nausea
- Headache
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Sedation
- Anxiousness
- Dizziness
- Feeling very happy or excited
- Lack of energy
- Feeling drunk
- Numbness
- History of heart problems Ketamine can increase blood pressure, making it potentially dangerous if you have uncontrolled hypertension or a history of heart attack, aneurysm, or aortic dissection.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding It’s not known if ketamine can be passed through breast milk.
- History of schizophrenia Ketamine can trigger symptoms of schizophrenia.
- History of bipolar depression There are case reports of ketamine inducing mania.
- History of liver or kidney disease Some research has found risk of renal function decline in people who chronically abuse ketamine; other case reports show potential injury to the liver.
It’s important to receive clearance from your physician before you use ketamine. If, for example, you have uncontrolled hypertension, develop a plan with your doctor to manage your blood pressure before you seek ketamine treatment, or any of the other conditions above, suggests Carlos De La Hoz, MD, a triple board-certified anesthesiologist and a regenerative medicine and pain management doctor at the Neomedicine Institute in Doral, Florida. The Neomedicine Institute offers ketamine-assisted psychotherapy via infusion.
Also, note that there are drug-to-drug interactions that may make ketamine use unsafe, such as benzodiazepine sedatives and opioid analgesics, as well as stimulants used for ADHD. So it's best to discuss ketamine with your doctor or clinical pharmacist first.
Who Might Want to Try (and Avoid) Ketamine Therapy
The decision to pursue ketamine therapy is a personal one. Here’s who may benefit — and who might want to skip it.
Whom Ketamine Therapy Is For
Who Should Avoid Ketamine Therapy
Tips for Getting Started With Ketamine Therapy
You’ll also need to find a clinic or a company that you are comfortable with. “The best question to ask a clinic is: Do you offer therapy with ketamine treatments?” says Dr. De La Hoz. “I feel that it is unethical and doing a disservice to a client if they are not offered therapy, which is essential in interpreting your experience and how it relates to your life,” he explains.
Ideally, the health practitioner and therapist (if present) should monitor the session carefully to watch for side effects, including patient distress. Have a thorough talk with the clinic beforehand to understand their ketamine protocols, how they look for side effects, and if ketamine is a viable and safe option for you. “We hope that there’s more regulation in the future so that ketamine can be beneficial, not something dangerous or abused,” says De La Hoz.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Ketamine Therapy
If you’re considering ketamine therapy, know that the protocol will depend on the individual clinic or company. We're using Neomedicine Institute as an illustrative example of intravenous ketamine, and patient experiences at other providers may vary.
Before
You’ll have a consultation, which includes a screening, which may include a blood pressure check and a look at your psychiatric history, to make sure that ketamine may be safe and effective for your goals. Ideally, you will be connected with a therapist to speak about what you hope to get out of ketamine treatment. Be open about your struggles, your coping mechanisms, whether you’ve tried therapy before, and what has worked and what hasn’t, says Liliana Uribe, PhD, a cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy at Neomedicine Institute.
You may also be given preparation instructions, such as whether and how to fast beforehand, when to schedule transportation, and what expectations to have going into your session.
At your ketamine treatment appointment, you will be prepped appropriately (you may be weighed to determine dosage; if you’re receiving it intravenously, an IV will be started). You will sit or lie down in a room in a comfortable position with an eye mask to reduce light stimulation and headphones to either add supportive music or to cancel or reduce noise from the surrounding environment.
It’s normal to be nervous during your first appointment. “A big thing I’ve seen is an inability to let go. We have an issue with wanting to control every aspect of our environment, and we feel uneasy when something doesn’t go as planned or expected,” says Dr. Uribe. Discuss with a practitioner ahead of time about a sign you can give if you’re particularly nervous during the treatment. (Like a thumbs up or down, for example.)
During
Duration will differ depending on where you go and whether you’re taking the drug orally or doing an infusion. De La Hoz's ketamine infusion sessions are 40 minutes long. In some instances, in addition to routine observation, ketamine will be given to you under medical supervision in which your vital signs are monitored.
You’ll likely need multiple ketamine sessions. “Ketamine has a cumulative effect,” says De La Hoz. The number of ketamine sessions needed will vary. Based on his own clinical experience, De La Hoz says, six sessions are typically needed before he understands the full spectrum of a patient’s response — and whether more therapy is necessary.
After
After the ketamine is administered, you’ll have the opportunity to recover. You should be monitored for any adverse reactions, and the practitioner should ensure you're safe to go home. If you are using at-home ketamine, make sure you follow the aftercare directions. If you’re at a clinic, you will need someone to drive you home. Do not drink alcohol after your session.
Uribe suggests seeing treatment as a process. “Use the first session as discovery, and then try to surrender to the experience. After two or three sessions, people are typically more relaxed and open to let go and let the experience take them where it will,” Uribe says.
Ideally, you have integration sessions. These are psychotherapy appointments with a licensed therapist who can talk to you about what you experienced during your ketamine session. Though not all companies require this, experts say this is an integral part of the process and is needed for best results. It may be useful to take time off after the session to recover and process your emotions.
After a predetermined series of sessions, you’ll talk with the referring doctor, treatment team, and therapist about what you may need in the future. “Some patients do a maintenance program, and some do not need it. But most patients continue psychotherapy [with the clinic or one’s own therapist],” says De La Hoz.
What Does Ketamine Therapy Cost?
The cost of ketamine therapy varies widely depending on the type of clinic you go to, if you’re getting psychotherapy alongside it (how many sessions and if they are in-person or virtual), or if you’re ordering from an online company.
That said, insurance does not pay for other types of ketamine. (Insurance may cover the cost of the psychotherapy sessions and medical evaluation, however. Ask about your specific benefits.) “The cost of treatment is not an insignificant amount of money,” says De La Hoz. One issue is that because of the cost, it may only be available to those with higher incomes. “We have hope that this will become more accessible to all who need it, not just specific populations,” he says.
For an idea of how much this treatment can cost, you can look at various companies, though Everyday Health does not endorse these resources, and you should always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment plan.
- Mindbloom costs $209 per session for a six-session package for new clients.
- Numinus charges $250 per session for ketamine treatment and $375 per session for ketamine-assisted therapy.
There are also financing options available with medical credit cards (like CareCredit) or sliding-scale fees offered at some companies that can defray or offset the costs. In some cases, HSA/FSA cards may be used for certain services.
The Takeaway
- Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that has long been used for anesthesia.
- In numerous studies over the past two decades, ketamine has emerged as a potential treatment for various mental health disorders — for example, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder.
- It is only FDA approved as esketamine (similar to ketamine) for treatment-resistant depression and depression with suicidality, although ketamine is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat other psychiatric disorders.
- There are various ways ketamine can be given (intravenously, intramuscularly, orally, nasally, or subcutaneously), yet clearly established protocols and standards are not available, and there is variability in how clinics provide ketamine therapy.
- It’s important that the clinic you go to, or the company you use, screens your physical and psychological health prior to treatment to determine if it’s appropriate for you.
Common Questions & Answers
Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Ketamine for Depression: What You Need to Know
- Cleveland Clinic: Ketamine Injection
- UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics: Ketamine
- Harvard Medical School: Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression: When and Where Is It Safe?
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: What to Know About Ketamine
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- Lykos Therapeutics Announces Complete Response Letter for Midomafetamine Capsules for PTSD. Lykos Therapeutics. August 9, 2024.
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Justin Laube, MD
Medical Reviewer
Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.
He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.
He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.
Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.

Jessica Migala
Author
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).