What Is Ketamine Therapy and How Can It Help Mental Health?

Mental health challenges like depression, PTSD, and anxiety can feel relentless—especially when traditional medications and therapies haven’t worked. In recent years, ketamine therapy has emerged as a promising alternative, offering rapid relief where other treatments have fallen short.

What Exactly Is Ketamine?

Originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine has long been used safely in medical settings. More recently, researchers discovered that at low, controlled doses, ketamine can have fast-acting antidepressant effects—especially for people with treatment-resistant depression or chronic anxiety.

How Does It Work in the Brain?

Unlike SSRIs (which target serotonin), ketamine affects the glutamate system, promoting neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections. This means it may help “reset” stuck thought patterns, which can lead to emotional breakthroughs and relief from symptoms.

Conditions Ketamine Therapy Can Treat

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)

• Bipolar depression

• PTSD

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Anxiety disorders

• Suicidal ideation (often dramatically reduced after just one infusion)

Is It Safe?

Yes—when administered in a medical setting under professional supervision. Patients are monitored throughout the treatment, and dosages are carefully calculated based on medical history and current health.