Understanding Ketamine Treatment for Depression

by Dr. Olivetta Uradu, Addiction Psychiatrist, Amazing Grace Center Mental Health Director

Depression is more common than ever, affecting millions of people across the United States, including many in Portsmouth, Ohio. In recent years, nearly 1 in 10 adults have reported experiencing depression.

What Is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine is a medication originally approved in 1970 for anesthesia. Over time, researchers discovered that it also has powerful, rapid-acting effects on mood. Today, ketamine therapy is used in mental health care especially for depression that hasn’t improved with standard treatments. Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine works quickly, sometimes within hours to days rather than weeks.

Limitations of Traditional Antidepressants

For decades, medications like SSRIs (such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro) have been the foundation of depression treatment. While these medications can be life-changing, they don’t work for everyone.

Some of the challenges people experience include:

• Waiting weeks or months to feel relief

• Partial improvement in symptoms

• Ongoing fatigue, low motivation, or anxiety

• Trying multiple medications without success

This is often called treatment-resistant depression, and it’s more common than people realize.

How Ketamine Works Differently

Most antidepressants focus on serotonin. Ketamine works in a completely different way.

It targets the brain’s glutamate system, helping to:

• Restore connections between brain cells

• Improve communication between mood-related pathways

• “Reset” patterns associated with depression

For many people, this can lead to:

• Rapid relief of depressive symptoms

• Reduction in suicidal thoughts

• Improved clarity and emotional balance

This difference is what makes ketamine such an important option for people who haven’t found relief elsewhere.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Treatment

Ketamine therapy may be a good fit if you:

• Have tried two or more antidepressants without enough relief

• Continue to struggle with depression despite therapy

• Experience severe symptoms that interfere with daily life

• Need faster symptom relief

A psychiatric evaluation is always the first step. At an addiction treatment center, it’s also important to consider your full history including substance use, medical conditions, and current medications.

Types of Ketamine Treatment Available

1. Intranasal Esketamine (Spravato)

• FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression

• Administered as a nasal spray

• Monitored in a clinical setting for 2 hours

2. IV Ketamine Infusion

• Off-label use for treatment of depression, OCD and PTSD

• Delivered through a vein

• Allows precise dosing and monitoring

3. Intramuscular Ketamine

• Off-label use for treatment of depression, OCD and PTSD

• Delivered as a muscular injection

• Not approved for home use

4. Sublingual Ketamine

• Off-label use for treatment of depression, OCD and PTSD

• Delivered under the tongue

• Not approved for home use

All options are safe when done under medical supervision and are tailored to your individual needs.

What to Expect During Ketamine Treatment

Ketamine treatment is not a one-time fix, it’s part of a structured plan.

A typical experience includes:

• An initial psychiatric evaluation

• A series of treatments over several weeks

• Monitoring during each session

• Follow-up care to maintain progress

During treatment, you may feel relaxed, detached, or reflective. Many people describe it as a temporary “shift” in perspective. After the session, you’ll need someone to drive you home, and most people return to normal activities by the next day.

Ketamine Side Effects and Safety

Ketamine is generally well tolerated when used in a clinical setting, but like any treatment, it can have side effects.

Common side effects include:

• Temporary dissociation (feeling disconnected)

• Mild increase in blood pressure

• Nausea or dizziness

• Fatigue after treatment

These effects are usually short-lived and monitored closely by medical staff. Safety is always the priority, especially in a setting that understands both mental health and substance use.

Ketamine Treatment in Portsmouth, Ohio

If you’re searching for ketamine treatment in Portsmouth, Ohio, it’s important to find a provider who understands the full picture of your mental health.

At Amazing Grace Center, we offer:

• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for depression

• Treatment for depression and co-occurring substance use

• Ketamine treatment options tailored to your needs

• A supportive, judgment-free environment

• Evidence-based medical care to target your depression symptoms

• Easy appointment scheduling online at: www.amazinggracetreatmentcenter.com/book

If you’re unsure whether ketamine is right for you, starting with an evaluation can help clarify your options.

Taking the Next Step Toward Healing

Living with depression can feel exhausting but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Ketamine is helping many people experience relief when nothing else has worked. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or have been struggling for years, there is a path forward. You deserve care that listens, adapts, and works with your life, not against it.

Key Takeaways

• Depression is increasingly common, and many people don’t respond to traditional medications

• Ketamine treatment offers faster depression relief by working on different brain pathways

• Ketamine is especially helpful for treatment-resistant depression

• Options include IV ketamine infusions and intranasal esketamine

• Treatment is safe when done in a monitored clinical setting

• In Portsmouth, Ohio, integrated and cutting edge treatment for depression that addresses both mental health and substance use can significantly improve outcomes.

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