In one study, 10 out of 12 people with anxiety that hadn't improved with standard treatment responded to ketamine. Many felt calmer within an hour.
Within an hour. For people who've spent years trying medication after medication, waiting weeks to see if anything works, that's a game changer.
Most people know ketamine as a treatment for depression. But researchers are finding it may help with much more, from anxiety and trauma to alcohol addiction. Some of that research is exciting, and some of it is still early. Here's what we actually know.
Key Takeaways
- Ketamine works on glutamate rather than serotonin, so relief can come in hours or days instead of weeks.
- Evidence is strongest for depression, promising for anxiety and PTSD, and early for addiction and pain.
- At Abbott, most patients complete 12 intramuscular treatments over eight weeks, after a full medical and mental health screening.
- Ketamine isn't an emergency treatment. If you're having thoughts of suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Why Ketamine Is Different
If you've struggled with depression or anxiety for years, you may know this cycle all too well. Start a medication. Wait four to six weeks. Push through side effects like weight gain, fatigue, emotional numbness, or a sex drive that disappears. And if it doesn't work, start all over again with the next one.
You're far from alone. In the largest real-world depression study ever done (STAR*D), only about 1 in 3 people reached remission on their first antidepressant. With each new medication, the odds dropped, down to roughly 1 in 7 by the third and fourth tries. Some antidepressants even carry an FDA warning about a possible increase in suicidal thoughts in young people, especially in the first weeks of treatment. For someone already barely hanging on, that waiting game can feel exhausting and scary.
Ketamine takes a completely different path.
Most antidepressants target serotonin. Ketamine works on glutamate, the brain's most abundant chemical messenger and the one behind learning, memory, and adapting to change. By briefly blocking a receptor called NMDA, ketamine sets off a burst of activity that switches on the brain's repair and growth signals, including a protein often called "fertilizer for the brain."
In lab studies, researchers have watched new connections between brain cells begin forming within about a day. That matters because chronic stress, depression, and anxiety are linked to losing these connections, especially in the areas that control mood and decision making. Ketamine appears to help rebuild them.
Think of it like a trail worn deep from walking the same path over and over. Depression and anxiety can keep your brain stuck in those ruts. Ketamine may help clear new paths, giving your brain the flexibility to finally break old patterns. That's why it can work so fast, often within hours or days instead of weeks.
Ketamine for Anxiety: The Benefit Most People Don't Know About
About 1 in 5 American adults deals with an anxiety disorder every year. Many try medication and therapy and still don't get enough relief. Yet when people hear "ketamine," they usually think depression, not anxiety.
That's where ketamine research gets interesting. A review of the controlled trials found that most showed meaningful improvement in anxiety compared to placebo. In the small study above, the calming effect lasted up to a week. Patients who continued maintenance treatment saw better functioning at work and in their relationships.
Ketamine for PTSD: Helping People Get Unstuck
Trauma can leave the brain stuck in survival mode. Ketamine has been studied for PTSD in several trials, and some found faster improvement than with comparison medications. Patients who choose to pair it with counseling often say it helps them get more out of those sessions.
Ketamine for Addiction: Why Researchers Are So Hopeful
Addiction is one of the hardest conditions to treat. Relapse is common, even after detox and rehab. That's exactly why early ketamine research has so many experts excited.
In a clinical trial of people with severe alcohol use disorder, those who received three ketamine treatments alongside therapy stayed completely alcohol-free for 162 out of 180 days. That's 86% of the six months that followed. They were also about 2.5 times more likely than the placebo group to stay sober the entire time.
Why might it work? Researchers believe ketamine may loosen the grip of deeply ingrained habits, opening a window where change finally feels possible. Larger trials are now underway to build on these encouraging results.
Ketamine for Chronic Pain and Suicidal Thoughts
Pain: Ketamine has been used in pain management for decades, especially for nerve pain. Results may vary. Because pain and depression feed each other, some patients notice their pain feels more manageable as their mood lifts.
Suicidal thoughts: Ketamine has been shown to rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts in some people with depression. But ketamine isn't an emergency treatment. If you're having thoughts of suicide, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What Ketamine Treatment Looks Like at Abbott in Utah
We use intramuscular (IM) ketamine, a simple injection given in our office while we monitor you the entire time. Most patients complete 12 treatments over eight weeks:
- Weeks 1 to 4: two treatments a week
- Weeks 5 to 8: one treatment a week
Each visit takes about two hours. You'll relax in a calm, comfortable room while the medication takes effect and wears off. Many people feel relaxed, floaty, or a little detached. That usually fades within an hour or so. Nausea, dizziness, or a temporary rise in blood pressure can happen, which is why we watch you closely.
You'll need someone to drive you home, and no driving for the rest of the day. For more on screening and side effects, see our guide to whether ketamine therapy is safe.
Why We Do a Series, Not Just One Treatment
A single ketamine treatment can bring fast relief. But research shows the real power often builds with each session.
- A series doubled the response rate. In a randomized trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, people with treatment-resistant depression who received a series of six ketamine treatments were twice as likely to respond as after a single dose. 59% responded, and most felt the shift by their third treatment.
- Up to 7 in 10 responded. In another study of a six-treatment series, about 71% of people with treatment-resistant depression responded.
- Weekly sessions helped results stick. In that first trial, patients who continued once-weekly treatments held onto their improvement. That's exactly why our series tapers from twice a week to once a week.
Think of each treatment as building on the last. The early, more frequent sessions help open the door to change, and the weekly sessions help keep it open while new patterns take hold. Some patients do well for a long time after their series, while others benefit from occasional booster treatments. We'll build a plan that fits you.
Is Ketamine Right for You?
Everyone gets a full medical and mental health screening first. Ketamine may be worth exploring if:
- You've tried two or more medications without enough relief
- Anxiety, depression, or trauma still gets in the way of work, relationships, or daily life
- You're ready to try something that works differently
It may not be safe if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, a history of psychosis, active substance misuse outside a supervised recovery plan, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. If it's not the right fit, we'll help you find what is.
"I've watched patients walk in after years of feeling like nothing works, and walk out of their series feeling like themselves again. Ketamine has truly been a game changer for many of them."
The Bottom Line
Ketamine works differently than almost any other mental health treatment, and it can work fast. The evidence is strongest for depression, promising for anxiety and PTSD, and exciting but still early for addiction and pain. If you've tried the standard route and still don't feel like yourself, learn more about ketamine therapy at Abbott or book a consultation and let's talk about whether ketamine could help. You can also read about anxiety and depression care at Abbott.
Sources
- NIMH: Any anxiety disorder statistics
- Glue et al., ketamine in treatment refractory anxiety, 2017
- Whittaker et al., meta-analysis of ketamine for refractory anxiety, 2021
- Grabski et al., KARE trial, American Journal of Psychiatry
- Phillips et al., single, repeated, and maintenance ketamine infusions, American Journal of Psychiatry, 2019
- Murrough et al., repeated ketamine infusions in treatment-resistant depression, 2013
- Ahuja et al., real-world outcomes of intramuscular ketamine, 2022
- Rush et al., STAR*D outcomes, American Journal of Psychiatry, 2006
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ketamine help with anxiety?
Small clinical trials suggest ketamine can reduce anxiety in many people who haven't responded to standard treatment, sometimes within an hour. More research is needed, so a full screening comes first.
Is ketamine used for PTSD?
Ketamine has been studied for PTSD, with some trials showing faster improvement. It isn't FDA approved for PTSD, and many people find it pairs well with trauma-focused therapy.
Can ketamine help with addiction?
In one trial, people with severe alcohol use disorder who received ketamine plus therapy stayed alcohol-free for 86% of the following six months. Larger trials are underway, and researchers are hopeful about what's ahead.
How many ketamine treatments will I need?
At Abbott, most patients complete 12 intramuscular treatments: two a week for four weeks, then one a week for four weeks. Each visit takes about two hours.
Why do a series of ketamine treatments instead of one?
Research shows ketamine's benefits can build with repeated treatments. In one randomized trial, a series of six treatments doubled the response rate compared to a single dose, and weekly follow-up treatments helped people hold onto their improvement.
Do I need to see a therapist during ketamine treatment?
No. Many patients complete their series without therapy. Some find that pairing ketamine with counseling helps them get even more from treatment, so it's something we can talk through together.
Questions About Your Own Situation?
Start with a consultation and the right testing. We'll talk through your history and your options.
This page is for general information and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment recommendations are individualized and confirmed at your consultation. — Abbott Health & Wellness, 45 North State Street, Salina, UT 84654.