Understanding Ketamine Infusion Therapy
In recent years, ketamine has emerged as a powerful new tool in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain—especially for those who haven't found relief through traditional medications or therapy. If you’re just beginning to explore ketamine as a treatment option, this guide will walk you through the basics in a clear, supportive, and easy-to-understand way.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine was originally developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic and is still widely used in hospitals and surgical settings today. But researchers later discovered that, at much lower doses, ketamine has fast-acting effects on mood and pain—especially in individuals who have treatment-resistant conditions.
How Does Ketamine Work?
Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to build up in the body, ketamine works differently—and often much faster.
Ketamine affects a brain chemical called glutamate, which plays a key role in mood regulation, learning, and memory. By rapidly boosting glutamate activity, ketamine helps “reset” pathways in the brain that have been disrupted by long-term stress or trauma. This reset can lead to a rapid improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.
What Conditions Can Ketamine Help Treat?
Ketamine Infusion Therapy is most commonly used for:
- Treatment-Resistant Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic Pain Conditions (like fibromyalgia or neuropathic pain)
- Bipolar Depression
- Suicidal Thoughts
If you’ve tried multiple medications or therapies without success, ketamine might be worth considering.
What Is a Ketamine Infusion?
At Sage Health & Wellness, ketamine is delivered via IV infusion under the supervision of a trained medical team. Each session typically lasts about 45–60 minutes. During the infusion, patients relax in a comfortable environment while being closely monitored.
Some people begin to feel the effects within hours or days—often reporting a sense of lightness, clarity, or emotional relief.
Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?
When administered in a clinical setting by qualified professionals, ketamine is considered safe and well-tolerated. It’s important to note that ketamine is not a cure, but rather a treatment that can provide significant relief and support other therapies such as counseling, medication, and lifestyle changes.
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as dizziness, nausea, or dissociation (a floating or dream-like state). These effects typically subside shortly after the session.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?
You might be a good candidate for ketamine therapy if:
- You’ve been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain
- You haven’t responded to traditional treatments
- You are not currently experiencing uncontrolled high blood pressure, substance misuse, or certain medical conditions
A thorough evaluation at Sage Health & Wellness will help determine if ketamine is a safe and appropriate option for your unique needs.
Next Steps: Is Ketamine Right for You?
If you’re curious about ketamine therapy and whether it might help you or a loved one, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team at Sage Health & Wellness. We’re here to answer your questions, provide honest guidance, and help you take the next step toward healing.
Final Thoughts
Ketamine therapy is a promising and innovative approach to mental health and pain relief. For many patients, it offers a renewed sense of hope—especially when other treatments haven’t worked. With compassionate care and medical expertise, Sage Health & Wellness is proud to offer this life-changing therapy to our community.
Interested in learning more? Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
Written by Tin Le (M.A., Life Coach, Integration Coach)
