Ketamine therapy has been rapidly gaining attention as one of the most promising breakthroughs in modern medicine – but what exactly does it involve, and what does it treat?
Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now proving to be highly effective for a range of conditions – but most notably as a treatment for depression when other options have failed.
At REACH Behavioral Health, we are proud to have been offering ketamine therapy to our Ohio community for some time now, helping individuals who have struggled with treatment-resistant depression to finally find a path forward.
As with any “newer” type of treatment, it’s common for there to be questions – and even more so when it’s a longstanding medication re-emerging with new therapeutic uses.
So what exactly is ketamine therapy, what conditions can it treat, and is it the right option for you? Below, we’ll break it down.
What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy – and Spravato esketamine nasal spray specifically – is a groundbreaking treatment that offers rapid relief for depression when other treatments have been ineffective.
Previously used solely as an anesthetic, ketamine has shown remarkable success in alleviating depressive symptoms quickly, as well as relieving a range of other symptoms and conditions.
One of its greatest benefits is that, unlike SSRIs and other common antidepressants, which take weeks to work, ketamine often produces results within hours or days. This has made it a game-changer for those struggling with suicidal thoughts or severe depression.
There are two main forms of ketamine therapy:
- Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) – FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation.
- Off-label IV ketamine therapy – Used in some clinics to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, neuropathy, and other conditions.
Because both forms utilize ketamine, the term “ketamine therapy” is commonly used to refer to them both. However, there are important differences:
- In terms of the medication itself, Spravato uses an active ingredient called esketamine, which is one of the main ketamine molecules. IV ketamine therapy uses ketamine in its original full form.
- Spravato is the only FDA-approved form of ketamine therapy. This means it is usually covered by insurance, and is administered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan – in medical settings, and under careful supervision.
- IV ketamine, although showing many promising results, is an off-label treatment, and therefore considered experimental for mental health and pain conditions.
Why ketamine? A brief history…
Although ketamine has been around for decades, its use in treating depression is relatively new, so it’s natural to have questions.
Here is a short overview of its journey, from anaesthetic to depression treatment:
First developed in the 1960s as a surgical anaesthetic, ketamine has been safely used in medical settings for over five decades.
Observations of various other benefits in patients – including noticeable relief from depressive symptoms – led researchers to investigate its potential beyond anesthesia, and in the early 2000s, studies confirmed that low-dose ketamine could dramatically reduce depressive symptoms in patients who had not responded to traditional medications.
As research progressed, the benefits of ketamine became more evident, and off-label use for depression started to become increasingly common – until finally, in 2019, the FDA approved Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression.
Spravato was (and remains) the first and only form of ketamine specifically designed and approved to treat depression.
Although ketamine has also shown a lot of promise in treating other conditions, its broader use remains limited due to the need for extensive long-term data to satisfy FDA requirements.
Nonetheless, ketamine’s therapeutic potential is already widely recognized, and the FDA approval of Spravato has marked an important turning point in the available treatments for people suffering from severe depression.
What ketamine can treat
Ketamine is FDA approved to treat:
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation
These conditions are approved to be treated exclusively with Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) in a controlled healthcare setting, such as at REACH Behavioral Health.
Off-label IV ketamine therapy is most commonly used for treating:
- Depression
- Chronic pain conditions (neuropathy, CRPS, fibromyalgia)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar depression (when combined with a mood stabilizer)
However, it’s important to note that while clinics can legally offer IV ketamine therapy for these off-label uses, there are no proven efficacy and safety profiles. Additionally, the lack of FDA-approval means insurance does not cover it, so treatment costs are high.
Why we only offer ketamine therapy for depression at Reach Ohio
At Reach Behavioral Health, our goal is to provide the most effective, cutting-edge treatments for mental health, while prioritizing safety, reliability, and accessibility.
By offering evidence-based, FDA-approved treatments – such as Spravato for treatment-resistant depression – we can ensure:
- Proven effectiveness: FDA-approved for treating depression, with strong research backing.
- Safety: Administered under medical supervision in a controlled environment.
- Insurance coverage: More likely to be covered for qualifying patients.
While off-label IV ketamine therapy is showing promise for treating other conditions, until there are more long-term studies and FDA approval, it isn’t something we will offer at REACH. And although it is available at other clinics, we urge caution, as many off-label providers lack psychiatric expertise.
Is Spravato right for you? How to know if you qualify
If you’re interested in exploring whether Spravato might be an option for you, your first step is to speak to a psychiatrist or a behavioral health center that offers ketamine therapy, such as REACH Ohio.
As part of a thorough evaluation, they will be able to explain more about the treatment so you can make sure you feel it’s the right step to take, as well as determine your eligibility and suitability.
There are a variety of factors that will determine your eligibility. However, the core criteria are as follows.
To qualify for Spravato, you typically must:
- Be over 18.
- Have tried at least two other antidepressants without success.
- Be diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression or MDD with suicidal thoughts.
- Not have any of the specified contraindications.
It’s also important to note that Spravato – as with all other mental health medications, and particularly when treating depression – works best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes talk therapy.
What to expect with ketamine therapy at REACH
If you are eligible for Spravato, the treatment process itself is very straightforward.
The main difference between Spravato ketamine therapy and traditional antidepressant medications, is that Spravato must be administered in a medical setting, under supervision.
Here is a quick overview of what to expect from ketamine therapy at REACH Ohio:
Before the treatment
- An in-depth consultation with our psychiatric team to determine if Spravato is right for you.
- The opportunity to ask as many questions as you need.
- Insurance verification to explore coverage options.
During the treatment
- Treatment schedules and durations vary, but are commonly twice a week for the first 4 weeks, followed by weekly treatments thereafter.
- Every Spravato treatment is administered in our Westpark, Ohio clinic, in a relaxing and comfortable environment, under medical supervision.
- It’s a nasal spray, so an easy form of treatment that you will administer yourself.
- Common immediate side-effects include a feeling of intoxication, disassociation, drowsiness, dizziness, and other mild and temporary side-effects.
- You’ll remain in the clinic for at least two hours for observation, by which time these symptoms should have dissipated. However, note that you won’t be able to drive or perform many other activities for the rest of the day.
Results of the treatment
- Most patients report almost immediate noticeable relief – usually within hours, or sometimes a few days.
- The improvement of depressive symptoms continues to improve over the course of the treatment.
- For best results, it’s recommended to combine ketamine therapy with talk therapy.
Want to know more? Read more about how Spravato works and what to expect, or contact us to arrange a consultation.
Take the first step toward relief with ketamine therapy at REACH Ohio
If you’ve tried other treatments for your depression without relief, ketamine therapy could well be the breakthrough you need.
Here at REACH Behavioral Health in Ohio, we’re proud to offer this game-changing treatment and be offering people with treatment-resistant depression a beacon of hope.
If you feel this could be the answer you’ve been looking for, please don’t hesitate in reaching out more for information. Spravato might just be the treatment that finally allows you to get the relief you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out if ketamine therapy is right for you.