Traditional medications can feel like a long, uncertain path for those battling treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Many people wait weeks and even months, hoping for a shift in their outlook that never comes. This is why many patients are now turning to ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine infusions are a breakthrough treatment that offers fast, effective relief for symptoms that refuse to budge. But what is ketamine therapy really like? What happens during an infusion? What should you expect before, during, and after your sessions?
At Serenity Mental Health Centers, we’ve helped thousands of patients find relief with IV ketamine therapy in our safe, private, and welcoming mental health clinics across the country. Whether you’re just beginning your research or preparing for your first appointment, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy involves the intravenous administration of low-dose ketamine in a controlled clinical setting. It’s one of the most advanced options for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other conditions that haven’t responded properly to traditional medications.
Unlike antidepressants that act on serotonin or dopamine, ketamine works primarily on the brain’s glutamate system, which plays a major role in the brain’s ability to grow and adapt, also known as neuroplasticity. Research shows that ketamine helps restore lost connections in the brain, offering rapid symptom relief, often within hours or days instead of weeks.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
Ketamine targets NMDA receptors in the brain, triggering a cascade of biological events that improve synaptic functioning and encourage the development of new neural pathways. This is especially important for people with long-term depression, where brain connections may have weakened or deteriorated over time.
This makes ketamine therapy for depression uniquely effective. While traditional antidepressants suppress symptoms over time, ketamine may reverse some of the damage depression causes in the brain. This is why many experts call it one of the most important advancements in psychiatric medicine in decades.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Ketamine Therapy?
IV ketamine therapy is typically reserved for individuals who have not found relief with two or more traditional treatments. You may be a candidate if you:
- Have treatment-resistant depression
- Experience persistent suicidal thoughts
- Struggle with PTSD, bipolar depression, or severe anxiety
- Have tried multiple medications or therapy modalities without success
- Are looking for a faster-acting alternative to oral antidepressants
Our expert psychiatrists conduct a full evaluation to determine whether ketamine treatment is right for you. We also consider your medical history, current medications, and overall mental health.
We frequently treat patients with overlapping conditions, including depression, PTSD, and OCD. Learn more about how we support people living with depression here.
What Happens Before Treatment?
Before you begin ketamine infusion therapy, you’ll have a consultation with a Serenity provider. During this session, we will:
- Review your mental and physical health history
- Explain the ketamine process and what to expect
- Answer all questions about potential ketamine therapy side effects
- Discuss your goals for treatment
- Customize a treatment plan that may include 6–8 initial infusions
If you’re using insurance, we’ll also verify your coverage. You can view a list of accepted insurance plans on our website.
What to Expect During a Ketamine Infusion
On the day of your session, you’ll arrive at one of our mental health clinics and be guided to your private treatment room. The room is calm, quiet, and designed to put you at ease.
Step-by-step process:
- Check-in: We’ll confirm your treatment plan and answer any final questions.
- IV placement: A small needle is inserted into your arm to begin the infusion.
- Infusion: The ketamine is administered slowly over 40–60 minutes.
- Monitoring: A trained nurse or provider will stay with you to monitor your comfort and safety.
- Recovery: After the session, you’ll rest in a comfortable space until any dissociation or dizziness subsides.
You may feel lightheaded, disconnected from your body, or experience visual or auditory changes during the infusion. These effects are temporary and typically fade within 30–60 minutes after the session ends.
How Many Treatments Do I Need?
Most patients begin with a loading series of 6–8 infusions spread over 2–3 weeks. After this initial round, your psychiatrist will assess your response and discuss options for maintenance infusions, which may occur once a month or every few months, depending on your progress. This process helps establish both fast symptom relief and longer-term stability.
How Will I Feel After Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
One of the most remarkable aspects of ketamine therapy for depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other severe conditions is how quickly some patients begin to feel better.
You may notice:
- Increased energy
- More mental clarity
- Reduced emotional numbness
- Decreased suicidal thoughts
- Less anxiety or dread
- Improved sleep and focus
Some improvements may begin within 24 hours, while others appear more gradually over a few sessions. The cumulative effect is often dramatic, especially for those who’ve tried everything else.
Potential Side Effects of Ketamine Treatment
While generally well tolerated, ketamine therapy side effects can include:
- Nausea or dizziness
- Dissociation (a sense of detachment or floating)
- Mild increase in blood pressure
- Sensitivity to sound or light
- Fatigue
Serious complications are rare when ketamine is administered in a monitored, professional setting. Safety is our top priority when it comes to ketamine infusions at Serenity. That’s why every treatment is overseen by licensed clinical staff in our outpatient facilities.
Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?
Yes. When performed under clinical supervision, ketamine therapy is considered safe and effective. It is used in medical settings worldwide and is supported by decades of research. However, it’s not for everyone. Individuals with certain medical conditions, histories of substance misuse, or unmanaged psychosis may not be eligible. Rest assured that our team of board-certified psychiatrists will work closely with you to make sure ketamine infusion therapy is appropriate, safe, and beneficial.
Ketamine vs. TMS Therapy
Both TMS therapy and ketamine are modern treatments for treatment-resistant conditions, but they work in different ways.
- TMS therapy uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity over several weeks.
- Ketamine therapy uses a chemical infusion to promote neuroplasticity more quickly.
At Serenity, we offer both options and often use them together in a broader behavioral health strategy. Learn more about TMS therapy and how it compares to ketamine here.
What Happens After the Infusions Are Complete?
Your journey doesn’t end when the infusions do. After your initial course of ketamine treatment, we’ll schedule follow-ups to:
- Evaluate your response
- Discuss ongoing therapy or support
- Plan maintenance infusions if needed
- Explore additional mental health treatments like TMS or structured gratitude
Our mission is long-term healing, not just symptom suppression. That’s why our providers work as a team to help you thrive, not just survive. We know the decision to pursue IV ketamine therapy isn’t always easy. That’s why we focus on making the experience as safe, supportive, and effective as possible.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re ready to explore ketamine infusion therapy or want to learn whether it’s right for you, our team at Serenity is here to guide you through the process with compassion and clarity. We’ll help you understand your options, check your insurance coverage, and begin building a personalized plan for healing that will actually work.
Request Appointment|Ketamine Therapy|Serenity Mental Health Centers
FAQ: Ketamine Infusion Therapy
What is ketamine infusion therapy?
It’s a form of ketamine treatment where low doses of ketamine are delivered through an IV to relieve symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions.
How long does each infusion take?
Each session lasts 40–60 minutes, followed by a short recovery period. Patients should arrange transportation after each appointment.
How many treatments are needed?
Most people begin with 6–8 infusions over 2–3 weeks, with maintenance sessions as needed.
What are the side effects?
Possible ketamine therapy side effects include nausea, mild dissociation, or fatigue, typically short-lived and well-tolerated.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
