Living with depression can feel like navigating through darkness without a clear way forward, especially when traditional treatments don’t provide the relief you need. At Ketamine Therapy Clinic, we offer a fast-acting, science-backed approach to depression therapy designed to bring you hope and healing when other options have fallen short.
Ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a powerful alternative, helping many individuals with symptom relief. Some individuals report symptom relief within hours, although response and duration of benefit can vary. Our clinic specializes in personalized, compassionate care tailored to individuals facing treatment-resistant depression, including veterans, first responders, and those struggling with suicidal ideation. If you’re searching for a new path to relief, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Once used as an anaesthetic, ketamine for depression has shown promising results. Depression alters the brain’s circuitry, which includes how your neurons communicate. Once thought to be the result of a dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine imbalance, current research suggests that glutamate and GABA neuroreceptors may also play a role.
As a form of depression treatment, ketamine may promote synaptogenesis and improved communication between neurons, supporting mood regulation. Unlike traditional antidepressants, it targets different neural pathways, which may explain why it works effectiveness for certain individuals. Because it acts on the brain in a distinct way, ketamine can produce more rapid noticeable effects compared to weeks or months that typical antidepressants often require.
Its rapid action is largely due to its influence on glutamate, one of the brain’s key neurotransmitters involved in memory, learning, and mood regulation. Research suggests that imbalances in glutamate activity may contribute to psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression.
By recalibrating glutamate function, ketamine helps re-establish equilibrium in the brain, leading to a meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms for many clients.
Ketamine infusion therapy involves administering ketamine intravenously in small, customized doses over 40 minutes to two hours (depending on dose and response). The dose for infusion therapy is lower than its initial use as an anaesthetic, allowing clients to remain conscious. Clients recline or sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet environment while our experts place a small IV in their arm to deliver the ketamine solution.
Effects are may be experienced within a few minutes of administration. Clients begin to feel relaxed and calm, as the use of ketamine for depression therapy often brings about a soothing, tranquil effect that supports emotional ease during treatment. Some may have auditory or visual hallucinations, but they are not distressing and last a brief duration. Additional side effects include nausea, blurred vision, or dizziness.
Before beginning treatment, it’s important to have a thoughtful conversation with a qualified professional to explore whether ketamine therapy is a good fit for your unique needs. At Ketamine Therapy Clinic, we take the time to carefully review your medical history, past treatments, and any potential contraindications to ensure a safe and effective approach.
As part of our commitment to personalized care, we provide a comprehensive psychiatric consultation to better understand your goals and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. This helps ensure you’re fully supported from the very beginning of your journey.
Ketamine therapy has many benefits, especially for those with severe or treatment-resistant depression who are seeking relief.
The main benefit of ketamine depression therapy is that it has a quick onset. When used to treat severe depression, benefits may last several days to weeks, with some clients requiring maintenance treatments for continued relief.
IV ketamine, a fast-acting depression treatment, has shown short-term relief for depressed clients, and many trial groups used ketamine with other medications for additional support. Results of these trials indicated that when used in conjunction with other treatments, people have symptom improvement.
Ketamine treatments can modulate glutamate receptors and synapses, which may lead neuroplasticity changes.
Ketamine depression therapy is a treatment option for people struggling with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) because of how it interacts with the brain and the alterations it makes to neurotransmitters, synapses, and glutamate receptors.
For those experiencing TRD, traditional depression treatments may not provide the necessary biological and neurological changes for long-term, immediate relief. However, ketamine therapy offers promise for relief.
The side effects of treatment are mild. Common risks include:
Rare cases may produce these adverse effects:
Ketamine may increase blood pressure and will be monitored during your infusion. We strongly encourage you to speak with our healthcare provider if you have any history of increased intracranial pressure, psychosis, heart conditions, or substance use concerns, so we can ensure this treatment is both safe and appropriate for your needs.
Throughout your treatment, our experienced team closely monitors your vital signs and how your body responds to each infusion. This ongoing supervision allows us to ensure your comfort and safety every step of the way. If needed, we can make real-time adjustments to the dosage to ensure you receive the most effective and personalized care possible.
Ketamine may offer promise for those with:
One of the key differences is that ketamine acts much faster than traditional antidepressants. While antidepressants typically work by targeting serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels, this approach may not bring relief to some individuals.
Most antidepressants, including SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), function by increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain through blocking its reabsorption. In contrast, ketamine interacts with NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors to enhance glutamate activity and support healthier communication between neurons. This unique mechanism may help explain why ketamine can be effective when other treatments have not worked.
Ketamine-assisted therapy offers a holistic approach by combining the therapeutic benefits of ketamine with guided mental health support. Clients remain awake during sessions, allowing them to engage directly with trained professionals. This approach has shown promise in promoting recovery as part of a comprehensive depression treatment plan, as the dissociative properties of ketamine can help ease emotional defences, making it easier for individuals to express themselves openly. This openness can lead to deeper insights and more meaningful progress during therapy.
Ketamine for depression may offer the potential for long-term support in managing symptoms, particularly for those who haven’t responded to other treatments. However, maintaining its benefits may require ongoing doses, as the brain’s neuroplastic changes may require time to develop. For some, this means periodic follow-up treatments may be necessary to sustain progress and continue feeling well.
Ketamine for depression has numerous benefits for MDD and TRD. For those who have tried several medications with limited relief, ketamine offers an alternative for symptom relief.
To learn how our customized depression treatment options can support you, contact Ketamine Therapy Clinic at 647-259-7740 or email us at
admin@ketaminetherapyclinic.ca.
Combining Science and Compassion for Effective Treatment
At Ketamine Therapy, we provide evidence-based care for serious mental health challenges. Specializing in intravenous ketamine therapy, we combine psychiatry and anesthesia expertise to safely and effectively treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
855 Broadview Ave, Suite 403
Toronto, ON M4K 3Z1
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