How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Ketamine is a synthetic compound that induces a mild dissociative experience at low dosages and a deeper psychedelic experience at higher dosages. Ketamine is FDA approved for use as an anesthetic, and thanks to an ever growing body of scientific research, it is also used to treat depression, anxiety, ptsd and other mental health issues.
Ketamine’s mechanism of action is still being studied. Current research shows that ketamine stimulates neuroplasticity by activating sites in your brain called NMDA receptors. The neurotransmitter glutamate is thought to be involved in this process, setting ketamine apart from traditional antidepressants that often work on serotonin receptors.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change its wiring by making new connections between neurons, in the place of old, often heavily used pathways. These heavily used pathways are often implicated in depressive symptoms or feelings of stuckness.
24-96 hours after a ketamine treatment, your brain’s capacity for neuroplasticity is heightened, allowing changes in thought and behavior patterns habits as well as nervous system response to “stick” as a result of an increased ability to make new neural connections.
The Flow of Your Treatment Plan:
While this schedule represents a typical flow of visits, every KAP treatment plan is individualized. Additional appointments may be added as needed, and your provider will work with you to plan these thoughtfully.
1. Medical Clearance Exam
A comprehensive medical clearance exam and a preparatory session are required before beginning all ketamine therapy options. This exam is offered both in person and virtually by our prescribing clinician.
A medical clearance exam includes a detailed medical and psychological history, as well as other tests or exams if deemed necessary.
This element of the treatment process ensures that ketamine therapy is specifically safe for you, allows a space for you to be supported in fully understanding what ketamine therapy entails and your unique preparatory needs.
2. Preparation Sessions (2)
Guidance in setting an intention, exploring set and setting, and cultivating curiosity and openness are key elements of preparation for your ketamine experience.
Patients can expect to come away from a preparatory session having addressed these elements, as well as having explored their personal goals and hopes for ketamine treatment.
Both medical clearance exams and preparatory sessions offer you a space to begin the process of anchoring your intentions for ketamine therapy, though the preparatory session is uniquely dedicated to this element of the treatment process.
3. Ketamine Medicine Sessions
Support throughout your ketamine treatment is an important part of the process. Your medical clinician will prescribe a series of sessions — often up to six on a weekly basis — and will work with you to determine the best route of administration: IV (intravenous), IM (intramuscular), SL (sublingual lozenge), or Spravato®, an intranasal form of esketamine.
Following each ketamine session, integration sessions are part of your care, taking place during the “neuroplastic window,” the 24–96 hours when your brain is most open to growth and new connections. These sessions, offered individually or in groups, help you reflect on your experience and support ongoing insights and positive changes.
For those using home ketamine lozenges, a monthly check-in visit with your prescribing provider is recommended to ensure your treatment continues safely and effectively.
4. Integration Sessions
True healing doesn’t end with the ketamine experience — it begins there. Integration is a vital part of the therapeutic process, offering a supportive and intentional space to reflect, process, and make meaning of what emerged during your sessions. In these conversations, insights are explored more deeply, emotional shifts are grounded, and new patterns of thought and behavior begin to take root.
Rather than letting the experience fade, integration helps anchor it — turning moments of clarity into lasting transformation. By weaving new perspectives into the fabric of daily life, these sessions support you in aligning with your values, deepening self-understanding, and creating sustainable emotional, behavioral, and spiritual growth.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a synthetic compound that induces a mild dissociative experience at low dosages and a deeper psychedelic experience at higher dosages. Ketamine is FDA approved for use as an anesthetic, and thanks to an ever growing body of scientific research, it is also used to treat depression, anxiety, ptsd and other mental health issues.
Image illustrating the addition of new neural pathways through the process of neuroplasticity. Image credit: Cognifit Research
The Science Behind Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine’s mechanism of action is still being studied. Current research shows that ketamine stimulates neuroplasticity by activating sites in your brain called NMDA receptors. The neurotransmitter glutamate is thought to be involved in this process, setting ketamine apart from traditional antidepressants that often work on serotonin receptors.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brains ability to change it’s wiring by making new connections between neurons, in the place of old, often heavily used pathways. These heavily used pathways are often implicated in depressive symptoms or feelings of stuckness.
24-96 hours after a ketamine treatment, your brains capacity for neuroplasticity is heightened, allowing changes in thought and behavior patterns habits as well as nervous system response to “stick” as a result of an increased ability to make new neural connections.
Administration Methods
IV (Intravenous) Method
IV ketamine is administered as a 60-minute infusion by a trained nurse. Patients can choose infusion-only care or Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with a clinician present. This method offers the most controlled and well-researched experience. Sessions take place in-office, and for safety, a driver is required. You’re also welcome to invite your own therapist to participate.
IM (Intramuscular) Method
IM ketamine (intramuscular) is given as a single injection in the upper arm, with effects typically beginning within 3–5 minutes. This method creates a rapid and immersive shift in consciousness, making it well-suited for deep therapeutic work. Each session includes 2.5 to 3 hours of in-office psychotherapy to support both the experience and the integration process. For your safety, a trusted driver is required to bring you to and from the appointment.
Spravato
Spravato® is an intranasal form of esketamine, delivered as a nasal spray in-office under clinical supervision. Effects are usually felt within minutes. As an FDA-approved treatment for certain conditions, it may be covered by some insurance plans. Each session is carefully structured to provide both safety and therapeutic support throughout the experience.
Sublingual Method
Sublingual ketamine is taken as a dissolvable lozenge held under the tongue, with the liquid swished for 10–15 minutes before being spit out. Effects usually begin within 20–25 minutes, offering a slower, gentler onset. With a bioavailability of 18–35%, it’s milder than IV or IM ketamine and may be used in-office with support or at home when appropriate.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Ketamine is a synthetic compound that induces a mild dissociative experience at low dosages and a deeper psychedelic experience at higher dosages. Ketamine is FDA approved for use as an anesthetic, and thanks to an ever growing body of scientific research, it is also used to treat depression, anxiety, ptsd and other mental health issues.
Ketamine’s mechanism of action is still being studied. Current research shows that ketamine stimulates neuroplasticity by activating sites in your brain called NMDA receptors. The neurotransmitter glutamate is thought to be involved in this process, setting ketamine apart from traditional antidepressants that often work on serotonin receptors.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change its wiring by making new connections between neurons, in the place of old, often heavily used pathways. These heavily used pathways are often implicated in depressive symptoms or feelings of stuckness.
24-96 hours after a ketamine treatment, your brain’s capacity for neuroplasticity is heightened, allowing changes in thought and behavior patterns habits as well as nervous system response to “stick” as a result of an increased ability to make new neural connections.
The Flow of Your Treatment Plan:
While this schedule represents a typical flow of visits, every KAP treatment plan is individualized. Additional appointments may be added as needed, and your provider will work with you to plan these thoughtfully.
1. Medical Clearance Exam
A comprehensive medical clearance exam and a preparatory session are required before beginning all ketamine therapy options. This exam is offered both in person and virtually by our prescribing clinician.
A medical clearance exam includes a detailed medical and psychological history, as well as other tests or exams if deemed necessary.
This element of the treatment process ensures that ketamine therapy is specifically safe for you, allows a space for you to be supported in fully understanding what ketamine therapy entails and your unique preparatory needs.
2. Preparation Sessions (2)
Guidance in setting an intention, exploring set and setting, and cultivating curiosity and openness are key elements of preparation for your ketamine experience.
Patients can expect to come away from a preparatory session having addressed these elements, as well as having explored their personal goals and hopes for ketamine treatment.
Both medical clearance exams and preparatory sessions offer you a space to begin the process of anchoring your intentions for ketamine therapy, though the preparatory session is uniquely dedicated to this element of the treatment process.
3. Ketamine Medicine Sessions
Support throughout your ketamine treatment is an important part of the process. Your medical clinician will prescribe a series of sessions — often up to six on a weekly basis — and will work with you to determine the best route of administration: IV (intravenous), IM (intramuscular), SL (sublingual lozenge), or Spravato®, an intranasal form of esketamine.
Following each ketamine session, integration sessions are part of your care, taking place during the “neuroplastic window,” the 24–96 hours when your brain is most open to growth and new connections. These sessions, offered individually or in groups, help you reflect on your experience and support ongoing insights and positive changes.
For those using home ketamine lozenges, a monthly check-in visit with your prescribing provider is recommended to ensure your treatment continues safely and effectively.
4. Integration Sessions
True healing doesn’t end with the ketamine experience — it begins there. Integration is a vital part of the therapeutic process, offering a supportive and intentional space to reflect, process, and make meaning of what emerged during your sessions. In these conversations, insights are explored more deeply, emotional shifts are grounded, and new patterns of thought and behavior begin to take root.
Rather than letting the experience fade, integration helps anchor it — turning moments of clarity into lasting transformation. By weaving new perspectives into the fabric of daily life, these sessions support you in aligning with your values, deepening self-understanding, and creating sustainable emotional, behavioral, and spiritual growth.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a synthetic compound that induces a mild dissociative experience at low dosages and a deeper psychedelic experience at higher dosages. Ketamine is FDA approved for use as an anesthetic, and thanks to an ever growing body of scientific research, it is also used to treat depression, anxiety, ptsd and other mental health issues.
Image illustrating the addition of new neural pathways through the process of neuroplasticity. Image credit: Cognifit Research
The Science Behind Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine’s mechanism of action is still being studied. Current research shows that ketamine stimulates neuroplasticity by activating sites in your brain called NMDA receptors. The neurotransmitter glutamate is thought to be involved in this process, setting ketamine apart from traditional antidepressants that often work on serotonin receptors.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brains ability to change it’s wiring by making new connections between neurons, in the place of old, often heavily used pathways. These heavily used pathways are often implicated in depressive symptoms or feelings of stuckness.
24-96 hours after a ketamine treatment, your brains capacity for neuroplasticity is heightened, allowing changes in thought and behavior patterns habits as well as nervous system response to “stick” as a result of an increased ability to make new neural connections.
Administration Methods
IV (Intravenous) Method
IV ketamine is administered as a 60-minute infusion by a trained nurse. Patients can choose infusion-only care or Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with a clinician present. This method offers the most controlled and well-researched experience. Sessions take place in-office, and for safety, a driver is required. You’re also welcome to invite your own therapist to participate.
IM (Intramuscular) Method
IM ketamine (intramuscular) is given as a single injection in the upper arm, with effects typically beginning within 3–5 minutes. This method creates a rapid and immersive shift in consciousness, making it well-suited for deep therapeutic work. Each session includes 2.5 to 3 hours of in-office psychotherapy to support both the experience and the integration process. For your safety, a trusted driver is required to bring you to and from the appointment.
Spravato
Spravato® is an intranasal form of esketamine, delivered as a nasal spray in-office under clinical supervision. Effects are usually felt within minutes. As an FDA-approved treatment for certain conditions, it may be covered by some insurance plans. Each session is carefully structured to provide both safety and therapeutic support throughout the experience.
Sublingual Method
Sublingual ketamine is taken as a dissolvable lozenge held under the tongue, with the liquid swished for 10–15 minutes before being spit out. Effects usually begin within 20–25 minutes, offering a slower, gentler onset. With a bioavailability of 18–35%, it’s milder than IV or IM ketamine and may be used in-office with support or at home when appropriate.