Ketamine Infusion Therapy Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

For individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, or suicidal thoughts, finding relief can be challenging. Ketamine infusion therapy is an innovative, research-backed depression treatment that has shown rapid and significant improvement in many patients—often within hours to days rather than weeks or months.

At Ascend Health Center, we specialize in intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy, a carefully monitored medical treatment that enhances neuroplasticity, strengthens neural connections, and restores emotional balance.

What is Ketamine Treatment?

Ketamine treatment is a groundbreaking medical approach that utilizes low doses of ketamine to manage a variety of mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain. Originally developed as an anesthetic for both humans and animals, ketamine’s potential in treating mental health conditions has only recently been recognized. Research has demonstrated that ketamine can produce rapid and significant improvements in symptoms, often within just a few hours to days. This makes it a promising option for individuals who have not found relief through traditional treatments.

The Science Behind Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants. Instead of targeting serotonin or dopamine, it affects the glutamate system, a key pathway involved in mood regulation, cognition, and brain function.

This unique mechanism of action makes ketamine a promising option for treating various psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety.

How Ketamine Works in the Brain

NMDA Receptor Modulation – Ketamine blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, leading to a surge in glutamate, a neurotransmitter essential for learning, memory, and emotional processing. During ketamine infusions, the NMDA receptor modulation leads to a surge in glutamate, which is crucial for emotional processing and mood regulation. (Source: Yale Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health)
Synaptic Regeneration – The increased glutamate release activates α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPAR) receptors, triggering the growth of new neural connections. This process helps restore communication between brain cells that have been damaged by chronic depression and anxiety. (Source: Nature Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center)
Neuroplasticity and Long-Term Healing – Studies show that ketamine facilitates the growth of dendritic spines—tiny structures on nerve cells that help the brain rewire itself and recover from the effects of long-term stress and depression. (Source: Harvard Medical School, NIH)

These biological effects explain why ketamine therapy is particularly effective for treatment-resistant depression and why its benefits can extend beyond immediate symptom relief to long-term mood stabilization.

Conditions Treated with Ketamine Infusion

Ketamine infusion therapy is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, its benefits extend to a range of other mental health conditions. It has proven effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety disorders, PTSD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Additionally, ketamine infusion therapy can be a valuable treatment for chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), as well as bipolar disorder. For individuals who have not responded to conventional treatments like antidepressants, ketamine treatment offers a viable and often life-changing alternative.

Who Can Benefit from IV Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine therapy has been clinically proven to help individuals with:

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) – For individuals who have tried multiple antidepressants without success, ketamine IV therapy has shown up to a 70% response rate. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and PTSD – By modulating glutamate pathways, ketamine helps regulate the brain’s response to stress and trauma, reducing symptoms of chronic anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. (Source: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, PTSD Research Quarterly)
Suicidal ideation – Clinical research has demonstrated that ketamine can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts within 24 to 72 hours, making it a critical treatment option for individuals in urgent need. (Source: Columbia University, FDA Clinical Trials)
Chronic pain conditions – Ketamine has shown potential in reducing nerve pain, fibromyalgia symptoms, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) by influencing pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord. (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mayo Clinic)

Benefits of Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Rapid symptom relief – Traditional antidepressants can take four to six weeks to show results. Ketamine often provides relief within days. This rapid relief is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from severe depression, who may not have responded to other treatments.
Restores neural connections and helps reverse the effects of chronic stress and depression by promoting brain plasticity.
Reduces suicidal thoughts – Ketamine has been shown in FDA-approved studies to lower suicidal ideation quickly.
Improves anxiety and PTSD symptoms and helps regulate fear and emotional responses, making it an effective treatment for trauma-related conditions.
Works alongside other therapies – Ketamine infusion therapy is most effective when combined with talk therapy, counseling, and holistic mental health strategies.

Side Effects of Ketamine Infusion

While ketamine infusion therapy is generally safe, it can cause some side effects. Commonly reported effects include mild dissociative experiences, feelings of relaxation or sedation, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. Some patients may also experience nausea or headaches. These side effects are typically mild and resolve on their own within a few hours after the treatment session. In rare instances, more severe side effects such as unconsciousness, significantly high blood pressure, or slowed breathing may occur. However, these are usually short-lived and can be effectively managed with proper medical supervision, ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient.

Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?

Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that has been used in medical settings for decades. When administered in a clinical setting under professional supervision, it is both safe and effective for mental health treatment.

Safety Considerations

Mild dissociative effects – Some patients experience temporary changes in perception, such as feeling detached from their body or surroundings. These effects typically fade within an hour after the infusion. (Source: Harvard Medical School)
Carefully monitored treatment – At Ascend Health Center, ketamine is administered at precise doses in a controlled, supervised environment to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Not for recreational use – While medical ketamine is safe when used under supervision, recreational misuse can lead to dependency and cognitive risks. (Source: FDA, Johns Hopkins Medicine)

At Ascend Health Center, patient safety and well-being are our top priorities. Our team follows strict medical protocols to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or suicidal thoughts, ketamine therapy may be an effective solution. At Ascend Health Center, we are committed to providing compassionate, expert care in a safe and controlled medical setting.

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Your journey to healing starts here.