Relief from depression with ketamine happens very rapidly – sometimes within 40 minutes of your first infusion. 

Instead of waiting for an SSRI to hopefully provide some relief over the course of weeks, people who are suffering under the crushing weight of depression can start to feel the benefits of ketamine within about 40 minutes.  –Harvard Health

• After 15 infusions, 85% of patients with suicidal ideations moved to full resolution.

• Results show a 50% response rate and 20% remission rate for depressive symptoms.

For people who have failed other treatments, options are limited.

In a major study sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, ketamine twice per week was found to be more effective than even ECT (electroshock therapy) given three times per week.

In fact, after 3 weeks, 55% in the ketamine group reported at least 50% reduction in symptoms while only 41% in the ECT group reported the same. Dr. Roger S. McIntyre, a professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of Toronto called the study “groundbreaking.”

Side effects of ketamine therapy tend to be fairly mild. If you do experience side effects too unpleasant,  these will almost always resolve within 15 minutes of stopping the infusion.

According to a 2021 review, the most common side effects include:

• Nausea (can be pre-treated with anti-nausea meds)
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Headaches
• Vertigo, or the feeling of spinning and losing your balance when you’re not moving
• Drowsiness
• Altered sense of taste
• Ringing in the ears

In rare cases, ketamine can more severe problems such as:

• Panic attacks
• Mania
• Problems with coordination
• Difficulty sitting still

Occasionally people experience a worsening in their depressive symptoms and suicidality which persists for up to two weeks after taking ketamine.

For those who continue with further treatments, those symptoms usually improve  after 1-2 more infusions.  3

Ketamine therapy, administered in a medical clinic with appropriate supervision is generally considered very safe.

At Evolve, we monitor your heart rate and oxygen levels continuously via a small ring on your finger. 

You will also be visually monitored continuously via closed-circuit TV monitor. 

Finally, you will have access to a call button should you need any assistance. 

Check out the links below for details on Ketamine Therapy from ASKP (American Society of Ketamine Providers): 

• Patient Considerations
• Clinical Approaches to Treatment
• Preparing for Treatment
• Routes of Administration
• Tips for Loved Ones

Dr. Freedman is an accredited “Ketamine Medical Provider” and has completed extensive training specific to Ketamine administration. In addition, he is a member of the American Society of Ketamine Providers.

Read more here about what to look for in a ketamine clinic. 

Some people have raised concerns about the following:

Addiction:

Research shows that ketamine addiction after use in a treatment center for depression is exceedingly rare. It has a potential for abuse, but the abuse potential is relatively low in most people seeking treatment for depression and receiving ketamine in a controlled manner.

Bladder Problems:

Ketamine bladder disorder is a painful condition that causes urinary frequency and urgency and pelvic pain or pressure. This condition generally occurs only with very high drug usage, much higher than most patients are getting in the clinic. Once again, this is an exceedingly low risk in controlled conditions.