Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High? Ketamine Infusions

Medical Providers:
Dr. Michael Vines, MD
Alex Spritzer, FNP, CARN-AP, PMHNP
Clinical Providers:
Natalie Foster, LPC-S, MS
Last Updated: May 9, 2024

Ketamine therapy, though commonly associated with recreational use, is gaining traction as a treatment for mental health conditions like depression and PTSD. While it may cause changes in perception or awareness, its clinical use is not intended to produce a recreational “high,” but to help regulate brain chemistry for therapeutic benefit.

During sessions, patients may experience brief dissociation or mild euphoria, yet these effects are closely supervised and managed in a medical setting to maintain safety and enhance treatment outcomes.

Our Treatment Centers

Begin your journey toward relief from depression. Discover ketamine therapy options today.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a powerful medication mainly used as an anesthetic in medical procedures. It induces sedation, relieves pain, and can cause short-term memory loss while the patient remains conscious. In addition to its anesthetic use, it has gained attention for its potential benefits in treating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Take the first step toward overcoming PTSD. Discover how ketamine therapy may support your recovery.

Does Ketamine Treatment Make You High?

Ketamine therapy can affect your mood and perception, but it isn’t intended to create a recreational high. Instead, it works to rebalance brain chemistry and support conditions like depression and PTSD. You may notice brief feelings of detachment or uplift during sessions, but medical professionals closely monitor these effects in a controlled setting to ensure safety and maximize benefits.

Break free from treatment-resistant depression. Discover the potential of ketamine infusions.

How Do Ketamine Infusions Work?

Ketamine infusions are gaining attention as a treatment for mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD. Here’s how they work:

  • Adjusting neurotransmitters: Ketamine acts on brain chemicals, particularly glutamate, which plays a key role in mood. It can rapidly increase glutamate activity, helping improve communication between brain cells.
  • Rapid effects: Unlike traditional antidepressants that may take weeks, ketamine can ease symptoms within hours. This fast response can be especially valuable for individuals with severe depression or suicidal thoughts.
  • Enhancing neuroplasticity: It may promote the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, improving resilience to stress and supporting longer-term emotional stability.
  • Reducing inflammation: Ketamine may help decrease brain inflammation, which has been linked to mood disorders. Lowering inflammation can contribute to symptom relief.
  • Supporting brain function: It may influence how the brain prunes its neural connections, an important process for maintaining healthy cognitive and emotional function.
  • Rebalancing brain circuits: Ketamine may help shift dysfunctional mood-related pathways, offering a potential reset for patterns associated with depression and other mental health conditions.

Break free from chronic pain cycles. Consider ketamine therapy for lasting relief.

Kickstart Lasting Relief With Ketamine Infusions

Experience a transformative approach to mental health care, using rapid-acting treatment to deliver fast relief for individuals facing conditions like depression and PTSD. Here are the key benefits:

  • Rapid relief: Ketamine infusions can ease symptoms within hours, making them especially helpful for those in acute distress or who haven’t responded to traditional therapies.
  • Sustained improvement: Beyond immediate effects, treatment may support longer-term mood stability and overall well-being.
  • Reduced suicidal thoughts: Research indicates this therapy can quickly lessen suicidal ideation, offering critical support during high-risk periods.
  • Boosted neuroplasticity: It encourages the formation of new brain connections, helping improve resilience and adaptability to stress.
  • Favorable tolerability: Compared to some standard medications, it is often well-tolerated with fewer side effects for many patients.
  • Personalized care: Treatment plans can be tailored to individual needs, with adjustments in dosage and frequency to optimize outcomes.

Let’s transform healthcare together. Listen to our podcast episode today!