Ketamine for Depression
If you have tried antidepressants and still feel the same, you are not out of options. Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants, and some patients report noticing changes sooner.
Talk to a board-certified doctor about whether ketamine may be an appropriate option for you. The first consultation is free.
The acute series | 6 infusions over 2 to 3 weeks |
Each session | Around two hours, start to finish (Need attention) |
Cost | $2,800 for the six-treatment series |
Consultation | Free |
When people notice | Often within the first 2 to 3 sessions |
Insurance | Not billed directly. We provide a superbill you can submit. |
Afterwards | A responsible adult drives you home. No driving for the rest of the day. |
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, not as a treatment for depression, so using it this way is off-label. It is the route most studied in clinical research for depression, and treatment here is always individualized following a physician evaluation.
- You have tried two or more antidepressants without the improvement you hoped for
- Your mood is affecting work, relationships, sleep, or the things you used to enjoy
- You are medically stable and cleared on cardiovascular screening
- You are staying in ongoing care with a therapist, a prescriber, or both
- You are experiencing active psychosis, or current manic symptoms
- You have uncontrolled blood pressure or unstable heart disease
- You are managing an active substance use concern
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are in immediate danger. That needs urgent care today, not an outpatient series.
If ketamine does not appear appropriate following your evaluation, your doctor will discuss the reasons with you and talk through other options.
What Does Ketamine Feel Like?
You stay awake. You are in a recliner, a clinician is with you, and you can talk the whole time.
Most people describe feeling deeply relaxed within the first few minutes, then a floaty or detached sensation, like watching their own thoughts from a little further away. Time gets strange. Two hours can feel like twenty minutes. Some people feel mild nausea or a headache, which we can treat on site.
One thing worth knowing: a more intense experience does not mean a better result. People often assume a vivid session means it is working. What actually matters is how you feel over the days that follow.
When Might You Notice Changes?
Ketamine Infusion Pricing
Initial consultation Free | Single infusion [CONFIRM PRICE] (Need attention) | Six-treatment acute series $2,800 | |
|---|---|---|---|
What's Included | Personalized evaluation | One ketamine infusion + recovery | Six infusions + personalized protocol |
Treatment Support | Treatment planning | Clinical monitoring | Treatment guide + workbook |
Additional Support | --- | Recovery time | Supplemental medications, such as anti-nausea medication if needed |
The series includes your personalized protocol, the ketamine treatment guide and workbook, the infusion itself, recovery time, and supplemental medications such as anti-nausea if you need them.
We do not bill insurance directly. We provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance plan for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies, so check with your insurer about out-of-network outpatient behavioral health benefits.
If Antidepressants Haven’t Worked
Most people who come to us have already been through the SSRI cycle. If you are still deciding whether to switch or stop, these may be more useful to you right now:
What our customers want to know
Is ketamine FDA-approved for depression?
No. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, so treating depression with it is off-label. Esketamine (Spravato) is a related medication that does carry FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression when used alongside an oral antidepressant.
How is IV ketamine different from Spravato?
Spravato is a nasal spray, it is FDA-approved for depression, and it is often billable to insurance. IV ketamine is an infusion, it is off-label, and it gives us precise control over your dose. Insurers treat the two very differently.
Can I keep taking my antidepressant?
Some patients continue taking antidepressants during ketamine treatment, but this depends on your individual medications and medical history. Bring your complete medication list to your consultation so your doctor can review it with you. Never stop or change a prescription on your own.
Do I need a referral?
No. A referral from a mental health provider is welcome but not required. The initial consultation is free.
Can I drive myself home?
No. A responsible adult needs to accompany you and drive you home, and you cannot operate a vehicle for the rest of the day.
What if the depression comes back?
That is common and it does not mean treatment failed. It usually means it is time to reassess, either with a maintenance infusion or by adjusting the wider plan with your prescriber.
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