IV Ketamine Therapy
What is IV Ketamine Therapy and How Does it Work?
IV ketamine therapy is a well-studied treatment that has generated significant interest in psychiatry for its potential to relieve symptoms of depression, certain anxiety-related conditions, and PTSD — often more rapidly than traditional antidepressants.
Ketamine acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, working through the brain's glutamate system rather than the serotonin pathway targeted by conventional antidepressants. Research suggests this triggers a cascade that promotes synaptogenesis (the growth of new connections between neurons) in prefrontal regions associated with mood regulation.
While ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, its use for psychiatric conditions is "off-label", a practice in medicine supported by clinical evidence and physician judgment. For many patients, treatment can be meaningful and, in some cases, transformative.
Why IV Ketamine?
A growing body of research — including studies conducted at Yale University and the National Institute of Mental Health — has found that low-dose IV ketamine therapy can produce rapid and significant improvement in psychiatric symptoms, including in patients who had not responded to prior treatments. The intravenous route specifically is the most extensively studied method of ketamine administration for depression and offers distinct advantages: it delivers 100% bioavailability, allows precise, weight-based dosing tailored to each patient, and lets the physician adjust or stop the infusion in real time. While individual results vary and not every patient responds, these findings have made IV ketamine one of the most closely studied developments in psychiatry over the past two decades.
Who is it For?
Based on published research and clinical experience, our psychiatrist evaluates and treats patients with the following conditions, where appropriate:
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Depression, Chronic Depression, and Treatment Resistant Depression
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Postpartum Depression
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Anxiety Disorders
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Bipolar Depression
How Soon Can I Notice Improvement With IV Ketamine?
One of the most notable findings in ketamine research is how quickly changes can occur. Unlike with traditional antidepressants, which often require four to six weeks to take effect, some patients notice changes within hours to days of an infusion. Many patients report noticeable improvement during the initial series of infusions. For most, the effects are not permanent -- relief typically fades over a period of weeks, which is why maintenance infusions are often part of a long-term plan. Responses vary, and not everyone benefits.
What to Expect
Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation by our psychiatrist to determine whether IV ketamine is appropriate for you. For patients who are candidates, the standard initial protocol is a series of six infusions over two to three weeks. Your response is monitored throughout treatment, and maintenance infusions may be recommended based on your individual needs.
Each infusion lasts approximately 45 minutes and is administered through a small IV while you relax in a private treatment room under continuous medical monitoring by our clinical staff. Dosing is individualized rather than one-size-fits-all -- our psychiatrist determines and adjusts dosage based on your weight, medical history, and response to prior infusions. Patients generally are able to leave the office within 15 minutes following the infusion. Because ketamine's effects can linger, patients may not drive following treatment and must arrange for someone to take them home.
Blankets, pillows, and eye masks are provided for your comfort, and patients are encouraged to bring their own blanket and headphones to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
What Does it Feel Like?
The amount of ketamine used is well below anesthetic dosing, so you will remain awake. During the infusion, most patients experience some degree of dissociation, often described as a dream-like or floating sensation, or a feeling of distance from one's body and surroundings. Experiences vary widely: most patients find it relaxing or pleasant, while some find it disorienting. Our nurse is present throughout, and the effects can be reduced or stopped by adjusting the infusion.