Ketamine IV Therapy
A rapid-acting, evidence‑based option for depression, OCD, PTSD, and anxiety— delivered safely in a calm, supportive setting.
Why IV Ketamine
Faster relief: For some, mood benefits can be felt within hours to days.
Less side effects: There are no known lasting side effects from doses we use.
More “mental room” for therapy: It can create a window for more effective therapy.
Hope when other treatments haven’t helped: Often considered when standard medications aren’t enough.
Potential cognitive benefits: Studies suggest improved executive functions for older adults with mental health struggles.
Is Ketamine right for me?
You may be a candidate if one of the following
You’ve tried medications or therapy without enough relief.
Your mental health symptoms are significantly impairing your life.
Oral medication side effects are not tolerable.
We avoid ketamine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled seizures, or active psychosis or mania. We may ask to speak with your primary care doctor or your care team prior to starting Ketamine. We’ll talk through risks and alternatives at initial visit.
Comfort & Safety
Private room with comfortable lighting and noise‑reducing headphones
Well trained Infusion Nurse monitoring for safety and support
Wheelchair‑accessible clinic and restroom
You’re welcome to bring a support person
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most people begin with a series of six IV infusions over 2–3 weeks. Each session lasts about 45 minutes in a monitored, comfortable setting. After the first series, we’ll decide together if and when maintenance treatments are needed to keep the benefits going.
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Some people notice improvement in mood or a reduction in negative thoughts within hours to a day after their first infusion, while others begin to feel better after several infusions. Research shows that if ketamine is going to help, most responders experience clear benefits by the end of the initial 2–3 week, six-infusion series.
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For many patients, relief lasts weeks to months after treatment. Therefore, some patients benefit from maintenance infusions — single infusions every few weeks to months, depending on how long the effects last for them. We’ll work with you to decide if maintenance sessions are needed.
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Maintenance treatments are single follow-up infusions given after your first 6 infusions if symptoms start to return. They’re just like your earlier infusions, last about 45 minutes, and are usually spaced every few weeks to months, depending on how long your benefits last.
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Yes. In a clinic setting with monitoring, ketamine is generally well tolerated. A nurse stays with you during the ~45-minute infusion, we check your vitals, and continuously check your progress. Potential side effects — like feeling floaty, a brief rise in blood pressure, or mild nausea — generally fade within an hour. If medical concerns are brought up, we will reach out to your doctors and care team to ensure safety.
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Some people notice a dreamlike or floaty feeling during the infusion. This is a normal short-term effect of ketamine, and it usually fades within about 30 minutes after the session. We’ll be with you the whole time to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.
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Yes. Ketamine’s short-term effects — like drowsiness, dizziness, or changes in perception — can last for minutes to hours after an infusion. For safety, you’ll need someone to drive you home. Most patients can return to normal activities, including work and driving, the next day once all effects have worn off.
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Typically Yes — if needed, we coordinate with your prescribers and therapist to ensure safety and efficacy.
When Ketamine Fits
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Ketamine can offer new hope to people living with major depression, especially when standard antidepressants haven’t helped. In research at the National Institute of Mental Health, patients with long-standing, hard-to-treat depression experienced relief within hours to one day after a single IV infusion — something not typically seen with traditional medications [link to research]. Many patients reported a rapid easing of hopelessness and negative thoughts, showing that ketamine can work quickly when it is most needed.
Even in treatment-resistant depression — where several prior medications failed — ketamine has consistently outperformed placebo. In one study, about 70% of patients responded after a course of six infusions, compared with much lower rates on standard drugs [link to research]. The boost from a single infusion may fade within a week or two, but completing a series and adding occasional “booster” sessions can help extend the benefits. For many patients and families, ketamine represents a lifeline: a way to feel better faster and restore hope during very difficult times.
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Patients with bipolar disorder often experience depressive episodes that are especially hard to treat. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that a single low-dose IV ketamine infusion can ease bipolar depressive symptoms within hours — even when patients are already taking mood stabilizers [link to research]. In these studies, many patients noticed improvements in mood and energy as soon as 40 minutes after the infusion, something not seen with conventional medications that can take weeks to work.
Clinical trials found that roughly 70% of patients with bipolar depression responded to ketamine within the first 1–2 days, compared with almost none on placebo [link to research]. Patients often describe not just relief from low mood, but also more motivation to participate in therapy and daily life. For safety, ketamine is always given alongside mood stabilizers or antipsychotics to reduce the risk of mood switching. While not a cure, ketamine offers a fast-acting option to lift the weight of bipolar depression, providing a vital window of relief and a chance to regain stability.
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OCD can be very disabling, with persistent intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that don’t always respond to standard medications or therapy. Research has shown that a single low-dose IV ketamine infusion can rapidly reduce obsessive symptoms in some patients [link to research]. In these studies, many patients noticed fewer intrusive thoughts within hours of treatment, and in some cases the benefit lasted for about a week.
In one clinical trial, about half of patients with severe OCD experienced a meaningful reduction in symptoms a week after ketamine, compared with none who received placebo [link to research]. These studies highlight ketamine’s potential as a novel option for treatment-resistant OCD, especially when integrated with therapy.
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PTSD can cause intrusive memories, nightmares, and constant hyper-arousal that are often resistant to standard treatments. Research has shown that a single low-dose IV ketamine infusion can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms within 24 hours, including re-experiencing and avoidance [link to research]. Many patients in these studies described a rapid easing of distress that traditional medications could not provide so quickly.
In another clinical trial, patients who received six ketamine infusions over two weeks had much greater improvement in PTSD symptoms than those who received a benzodiazepine [link to research]. About two-thirds of patients responded to ketamine, compared with only one-fifth in the benzodiazepine group. While these benefits can fade over time, booster treatments may help extend the improvement. Overall, ketamine offers a promising new option for people with PTSD who have not found relief from other treatments.
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For some people, anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) don’t fully improve with standard medications or therapy. Early studies suggest that IV ketamine can reduce anxiety symptoms quickly, sometimes within hours. In one trial, most patients with GAD or SAD reported noticeable relief in worry and avoidance within the first week of treatment [link to research]
In another clinical trial for social anxiety, patients who received a single IV ketamine infusion showed significantly greater improvement in social fear and avoidance compared with placebo [link to research]. While ketamine for primary anxiety disorders is still developing, these results are promising for people who have not responded to other options.
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About 10–15% of new mothers experience postpartum depression (PPD), usually beginning in the first few weeks after childbirth. PPD can cause intense sadness, hopelessness, and difficulty bonding with a baby. Research suggests that IV ketamine can help reduce these symptoms quickly, with some women reporting relief from low mood and anxiety within days [link to research]. Patients have described feeling more present, able to enjoy their baby, and more engaged in daily life.
Studies also show ketamine may even help prevent postpartum depression. In a clinical trial, women who received IV ketamine shortly after delivery had their risk of developing depression cut by ~75% during the first six weeks compared to those who received placebo [link to research]. Another trial found similar results using ketamine after cesarean section, showing significantly lower depression scores in the first month [link to research]. While research is still emerging, these findings highlight ketamine’s potential to both treat existing PPD and reduce the risk of it developing after birth.
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Depression in older adults can be especially serious, affecting not only mood but also physical health, thinking abilities, and overall quality of life. When standard antidepressants don’t work, IV ketamine is emerging as a promising option. Research have found that ketamine can produce meaningful mood improvements for seniors, and in some analyses it stood out as one of the most effective treatments for hard-to-treat depression in older patients [link to research].
Research also suggest ketamine may improve executive function — skills like planning and focus — in addition to mood [link to research]. Importantly, patients often reported not just less sadness, but renewed motivation and enjoyment in daily activities. While effects after an infusion series may fade over time, some older adults maintain benefits longer with maintenance treatments to help extend relief. Taken together, these results suggest ketamine can help seniors feel clearer, more engaged, and more able to enjoy life again.