What is IV Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine works differently from every other class of antidepressant and pain medication available today. Ketamine infusion therapy involves involves blocking NMDA receptors in the brain. Receptors that play a central role in pain signaling, mood regulation, and the formation of traumatic memories.

By blocking these receptors, ketamine increases levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that activates new neural pathways through a process called synaptogenesis. In practical terms, this means ketamine helps the brain form new connections between neurons, essentially rewiring circuits that have been disrupted by chronic pain, trauma, or depression.

Ketamine also reduces neuroinflammation, which has been linked to both mood disorders and chronic pain conditions. Additionally, it interacts with opioid receptors in ways that reduce pain perception without the addictive properties and dangerous side effects associated with opioid medications.

This unique combination of effects explains why ketamine can provide rapid relief for conditions that have resisted months or years of conventional treatment.

Chronic pain affects an estimated 50 million adults in the United States and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. When standard treatments, including NSAIDs, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, nerve blocks, and even opioids, fail to provide adequate relief, IV ketamine infusion therapy offers a powerful alternative.

Ketamine addresses chronic pain by reversing a process called central sensitization, in which the nervous system becomes stuck in a heightened state of reactivity, amplifying pain signals even after the original injury has healed. By blocking NMDA receptors in the brain and spinal cord, ketamine can effectively "reset" these overactive pain pathways.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, phantom limb pain, migraines and chronic headaches, cancer-related pain, and pain conditions that have not responded to other treatments.

Research supports ketamine's effectiveness across these conditions. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Medicine Advances found that IV ketamine significantly reduced pain scores compared to control interventions across multiple chronic pain populations. For CRPS specifically, 13 out of 14 clinical studies reviewed reported meaningful decreases in pain scores following ketamine infusion.

An important additional benefit: IV ketamine therapy can reduce dependence on opioid medications. Published case reports have documented patients decreasing their opioid use by over 40% after beginning a ketamine infusion protocol.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a debilitating condition that affects millions of Americans, including military veterans, first responders, and survivors of assault, abuse, or other traumatic events. Standard treatments for PTSD include SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy, but a significant number of patients do not respond adequately to these options.

IV ketamine has emerged as one of the most promising mental health treatments for PTSD, with research demonstrating rapid and meaningful symptom reduction, often within 24 hours of the first infusion.

A landmark randomized controlled trial conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that patients who received six IV ketamine infusions over two weeks experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptom. The study included patients with severe, chronic PTSD, with a median duration of 14 years, and found that improvement was rapid and maintained for several weeks after the final infusion.

An earlier open-label trial reported an 80% PTSD remission rate after six ketamine infusions, with improvement seen across all symptom categories.

Ketamine's effect on PTSD is believed to work through its ability to disrupt the reconsolidation of traumatic memories and promote the formation of new, healthier neural connections. For patients who have tried multiple medications and therapy approaches without success, IV ketamine represents a fundamentally different treatment pathway.

Major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and an estimated one-third of patients do not respond to standard antidepressant medications. When two or more medication trials fail to produce meaningful improvement, the condition is classified as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a diagnosis that affects millions of people.

IV ketamine has been called the most significant advancement in mental health conditions, and depression treatment in decades. Traditional antidepressants work by gradually increasing levels of serotonin or norepinephrine, a process that can take four to six weeks, if it works at all. Ketamine bypasses this system entirely, acting on the glutamate system to rapidly promote synaptogenesis and restore neural connectivity in brain regions associated with mood regulation.

Many patients report meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms within hours to days of their first infusion, rather than weeks or months. Clinical research has consistently demonstrated that IV ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects even in patients who have failed multiple prior medication trials. Studies also show that ketamine can reduce suicidal ideation quickly, a critical benefit, since traditional antidepressants carry a black-box warning about potentially worsening suicidal thoughts in the initial weeks of treatment.

Clinicians typically administer IV ketamine therapy for depression as a series of six infusions over two to three weeks and schedule maintenance infusions as needed based on individual response.

Your provider will conduct a thorough evaluation, including a review of your medical history, current medications, and previous treatments. This ensures that IV ketamine is appropriate and safe for your specific situation.

You will be seated comfortably in a private treatment room. An IV line is placed, and the ketamine infusion is administered slowly over approximately 40-60 minutes, depending on your protocol. Your vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, are monitored continuously throughout the session. A medical professional remains present at all times.

Most patients describe the experience as deeply relaxing. Some experience mild, temporary effects during the infusion such as a floating sensation, gentle visual changes, or light-headedness. These effects typically resolve within 30 to 60 minutes after the infusion ends.

You will rest in our clinic until you feel alert and stable, usually about 30 minutes. You will need someone to drive you home. Most patients feel like themselves again by the next day. You should plan to avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, and making major decisions for the remainder of the treatment day.

Treatment protocols: The number and frequency of infusions depends on your condition. A typical initial protocol involves six infusions over two to three weeks. Maintenance infusions are then scheduled based on your individual response, some patients return monthly, others less frequently.

IV ketamine therapy is generally recommended for patients who have not found adequate relief through conventional treatments. You may be a good candidate if you experience:

Chronic pain that has not responded to standard medications, nerve blocks, or physical therapy. PTSD symptoms that persist despite therapy and medication trials. Treatment-resistant depression, meaning you have tried two or more antidepressant medications without significant improvement. Suicidal ideation that requires rapid intervention.

IV ketamine may not be appropriate for patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), active substance use disorder, or certain cardiovascular conditions. Your medical history is reviewed during your initial consultation to determine if this treatment is right for you.

Las Vegas Medical Institute offers IV ketamine infusion therapy with insurance coverage for qualifying patients. While many ketamine clinics operate on a cash-only basis, we work with insurance providers to help make this treatment accessible to those who need it. During your consultation, our team will verify your coverage and explain any costs before treatment begins.

If chronic pain, PTSD, or treatment-resistant depression has not responded to conventional treatments, IV ketamine therapy may be the solution. This Therapy offers the breakthrough you've been looking for. Schedule a confidential consultation at Las Vegas Medical Institute to find out if this treatment is right for you.