Understanding Ketamine Therapy: A Breakthrough in Mental Health and Wellness

Ketamine infusion therapy has gained national attention as a promising, fast-acting treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Once known primarily as a surgical anesthetic, ketamine is now recognized for its powerful effects on mood and emotional healing by inducing a safe and predictable dissociative state — especially for patients who have not responded to traditional antidepressants.

At Sage Health & Wellness, we believe informed patients are empowered patients. This guide provides a deep look into what ketamine therapy is about, how it works, and why it's changing the mental health industry and continues to help so many people.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a medication first developed in the 1960s and approved by the FDA as a general anesthetic. Over time, researchers discovered that low-dose ketamine, when administered in a controlled medical setting, produces profound effects on mood, perception, and pain without full sedation.

Today, ketamine is used off-label for a range of psychiatric and pain-related conditions. The most common and effective route for mental health treatment is intravenous (IV) infusion, though other methods include intramuscular (IM) injections, sublingual lozenges, and the FDA-approved nasal spray Spravato® (esketamine).

How Ketamine Works

Unlike traditional antidepressants, which typically affect serotonin or norepinephrine and may take several weeks to show effects, ketamine acts on the glutamate system—leading to rapid and transformative outcomes.

1. NMDA Receptor Blockade
Ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor, which regulates glutamate, the brain’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. This disruption results in a temporary surge of glutamate, which enhances communication between neurons.

2. Boosts Neuroplasticity
The increase in glutamate activity prompts the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth of new neural pathways. This neuroplasticity is what allows the brain to "relearn" healthier thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses.

3. Restores Healthy Brain Circuitry
Depression and trauma can create rigid, repetitive thought cycles. Ketamine temporarily deactivates areas of the brain responsible for this mental “looping”—providing relief and the opportunity for therapeutic breakthroughs.

Conditions Treated with Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine has been studied and used for a wide range of psychiatric and neurological conditions, including:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar Depression (not mania)
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraines (in some cases)

What to Expect During an Infusion

A ketamine infusion typically lasts 40–60 minutes. You’ll be seated or reclined in a dark,  calm, private room with relaxing music and cosmic projections. Our team will monitor your vital signs continuously, ensuring safety and comfort during the entire session.

During the infusion, patients often experience:

• A sense of detachment from their thoughts or body
• Vivid or dreamlike imagery
• Heightened sensory awareness
• A deep sense of calm or emotional release
• A feeling of floating and
  

These effects wear off within 1–2 hours after treatment. You’ll remain on-site generally for another 30 minutes after the session until you have recovered and however you will need someone to drive you home as driving or operating heavy machinery is not recommended for 24 hours.

Integration Coaching

Before your session begins, we provide a short Integration Session to help guide you towards a positivou and constructive direction for your therapy.  We recommend before the session you set some intentions that you would like to work on or achieve during your session.  This is a highly personal journey and we can guide you without necessarily going into detail. The hours and days following an infusion are often described as a “window of clarity.” this window can last up to 72 hours after the session.  This is when the brain is most open to change, new perspectives, new thoughts and revelations. Integration refers to the process of reflecting, journaling, and applying insights gained during the experience. Patients often find it helpful to:

• Attend therapy or coaching sessions
• Practice mindfulness or meditation
• Engage in light physical activity
• Surround yourself with positive people and environments
• Avoid overstimulation (such as alcohol, intense social events, or excessive screen time)
• Start journaling to document your thoughts, experiences and feelings during the session and the window of clarity.

We strongly encourage our patients to incorporate integration practices to get the most from each session.

Safety and Side Effects

Ketamine therapy is considered safe when administered by trained professionals in a controlled medical setting. Side effects may include:

• Mild nausea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Changes in vision or perception
• Fatigue
• Emotional sensitivity post-treatment

These effects are generally temporary and manageable. In rare cases, more serious side effects can occur, which is why pre-treatment screening and monitoring are essential.

Is Ketamine Right for You?

Ketamine is not a first-line treatment for mental health conditions, but it is a powerful option for those who:

• Have not responded to traditional medications
• Are seeking rapid symptom relief
• Want to break free from repetitive thought or pain cycles
• Are working through trauma or existential distress
• Break a pattern of internalized and unprocessed trauma

Before starting treatment, patients will undergo a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation at Sage Health & Wellness to ensure safety and appropriateness.

A New Path to Healing

Ketamine therapy represents a paradigm shift in the way we treat mood disorders and chronic pain. It doesn’t mask symptoms—it opens the mind to new possibilities. For many patients, it’s the first step toward lasting transformation.

If you’re struggling and feeling like you’ve tried everything, ketamine therapy may offer the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. At Sage Health & Wellness, we are here to guide you safely and compassionately every step of the way.