At NeuroHealth Treatment Centers, we personalize mental health care for people with depression. Intramuscular ketamine injections are a safe and effective option for depression and other conditions. Ketamine treatment for depression consists of multiple sessions, with the exact number varying from patient to patient.
During your initial no cost consultation, our clinical team will review your medical history to determine if ketamine therapy is right for you. This includes your symptoms, any current medications you’re taking, and your mental health goals. We can assess your candidacy for therapeutic ketamine and determine how many treatments you may need.
Call NeuroHealth Treatment Centers at 954-417-7575 today. We provide ketamine treatment for depression for patients throughout South Florida from our clinic in Fort Lauderdale.
What Is Ketamine Treatment for Depression?
Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic for decades. Today, mounting research suggests that it can also be used to aid in the treatment of depressive disorders such as:
- Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Depression with Suicidal Ideation
- Bipolar Depression (without mania or hypomania)
- Trauma-Related Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When injected into the body, ketamine temporarily blocks NMDA receptors. This stimulates the release of glutamate, a key neurotransmitter. A healthy surge of glutamate activates pathways within the brain, interrupting the repeated negative signals associated with depression and fostering mental clarity and improvements in mood.
How Many Treatments Do I Need?
Our patients generally receive 6–8 treatments over a period of about 3 weeks. Factors that can affect the number of sessions include:
- Severity of depression symptoms
- How long you’ve been living with depression
- Co-occurring conditions that may complicate treatment
- Sensitivity to the effects of ketamine; this is unique to every patient
- Medications you are taking and any other interventions
When Will I Start to Experience Improvement?
The early stage of ketamine treatment for depression is known as the induction phase. Our goal at this phase is to induce rapid symptom relief.
Patients often notice an improvement within 1–2 sessions. Completing the recommended course of treatment may improve neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new connections. This can result in long-term improvements to your mental health.
If you find that ketamine therapy is beneficial, we can move on to the maintenance phase of treatment. Maintenance injections may be needed once every several weeks following the conclusion of the initial therapy. Then they can be performed on an as-needed basis if symptoms return (known as a “booster”).
NeuroHealth Treatment Centers monitors your response to ketamine at every session. We can make any necessary adjustments to help you achieve maximum improvement and ensure that you tolerate treatment well.
How Effective Is Ketamine Treatment for Depression?
One of the major benefits of ketamine therapy is how fast it can work. Some patients begin to experience relief from symptoms within hours of the first dose. This suggests that ketamine could be valuable for patients with severe depression or struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Several studies demonstrate the efficacy of ketamine treatment for particular depressive disorders:
Major Depressive Disorder
A study in the Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health analyzed the effects of intramuscular (IM) ketamine therapy on 40 patients with MDD. Each patient received six injections over a period of 3 weeks. By the end of the study, all but one patient experienced improvement in depression symptoms. On average, the subjects’ depression scores decreased by 55%.
Treatment-Resistant Depression
In a double-blind study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of intramuscular ketamine on 25 patients with TRD. Their research, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that patients reported less depression and anxiety within just 1 hour of IM ketamine injection. More than 55% of patients responded to treatment within 24 hours, with improvements persisting for up to 1 week.
Bipolar Depression
Research into the efficacy of ketamine for bipolar depression treatment is in its early stages. However, early findings on the subject are positive. A case report in the journal European Psychiatry found that IM ketamine significantly decreased the symptoms of bipolar depression in two female patients.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health study cited above notes that patients with PTSD experienced a 51% decrease in symptoms after receiving intramuscular ketamine. While PTSD is not a type of depressive disorder, research on ketamine treatment for PTSD has important ramifications for patients who struggle with depression after a traumatic event. This includes first responders and other populations with high rates of PTSD.
Is Ketamine for Depression Treatment Right for Me?
You may be a candidate for ketamine therapy if you:
- Are diagnosed with major depressive disorder or treatment-resistant depression
- Have tried two or more antidepressants without meaningful improvement
- Need a fast-acting alternative to meds, therapy, etc.
- Are struggling with thoughts of suicide or severe emotional distress
– NOTE: Call 911 if you need immediate medical assistance or 988 if you are in crisis. - Don’t have uncontrolled high blood pressure, substance use disorder, or other conditions that may conflict with ketamine therapy
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
Generally, ketamine treatment is most effective when performed in conjunction with more traditional methods such as psychotherapy and medications. NeuroHealth Treatment Centers offers medication management services to help patients get the most from antidepressants and the innovative solutions we provide.
How Long Do the Results of Ketamine Therapy Last?
We’ve already mentioned how quickly therapeutic ketamine can alleviate the symptoms of major and treatment-resistant depression. But how long do these benefits last?
Once the initial course of ketamine treatment for depression is complete, you may not need to see us again for several weeks. We will work with you closely to determine the need for and timing of maintenance therapy sessions.
A study in BMC Psychiatry found that patients who received IM ketamine maintenance treatments enjoyed relief for over 7 months on average. Your needs may vary, and our team is here to help you find the treatment protocol that’s right for you.
Explore Ketamine Treatment for Depression in South Florida
Depression can be debilitating. You may find it difficult to work, maintain relationships with friends and family, and handle day-to-day tasks. Meds and therapy have little to no effect for some patients. The good news is that you are not out of options.
The NeuroHealth Treatment Centers Difference starts with our beautiful, safe, state-of-the-art facility. We invite you to take a tour and see for yourself! Our services include traditional mental health therapy and medical management. These services, as well as alternative treatments such as ketamine therapy, are performed by a full-time, in-house team of board-certified physicians.
We have seen how quickly intramuscular ketamine can help patients with depression. By providing individualized care, we get to know each patient and work with them hand-in-hand to design a treatment plan that delivers meaningful results.
Find out if ketamine depression treatment is right for you. Contact us today for your FREE consultation. NeuroHealth Treatment Centers is based in Fort Lauderdale and serves patients throughout South Florida.
