Ketamine Benefits & Risks

ketamine benefits and risks

Many of our patients have experienced tremendous results from ketamine and esketamine and we have administered over 6,500 treatments at our mental health clinic. 

Benefits of ketamine and esketamine (Spravato) for depression:

  • Ketamine/esketamine are very powerful and fast-acting treatments for depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine and esketamine may work after a single dose. These are the only depression treatments that can work within hours, making them an important option for urgent cases. 
  • Ketamine/esketamine can provide more relief compared to traditional antidepressants that need to be taken daily for years. Ketamine/esketamine grow neurons within hours and continue to increase neuronal growth factors for 3 days after administration. When neurons grow, they respond more to the neurotransmitters that make us feel good. All other psychiatric medications increase neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine. For up to 70% of depressed patients, this is enough. However, for the 30% of patients who don’t get relief from these treatments, ketamine works on the other side of the equation to provide relief when traditional antidepressants aren’t working.

Ketamine results:

Ketamine/esketamine has a very high success rate for those with treatment resistant depression. Ketamine/esketamine have a 70% chance of success for people who have not responded to other treatments. We can compare this to the 10% chance of response that these patients would have if they tried yet another antidepressant.

Like most powerful medications, ketamine or esketamine may cause serious side effects including:

  • Increased blood pressure and heart rate. Ketamine or esketamine can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure that may last for about 4 hours after taking a dose. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before taking a dose and for at least 2 hours afterward. 
  • Problems thinking clearly.
  • Bladder irritation.
  • The most common side effects of ketamine or esketamine include: dissociation, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, sedation, spinning sensation, reduced sense of touch and sensation, anxiety, lack of energy, increased blood pressure, and feeling intoxicated/euphoric.