Ketamine, first synthesized in the 1960s as an anesthetic, is gaining recognition as a treatment for mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Unlike psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA, which are hallucinogens or psychoactive substances, ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that induces sedation and calmness while potentially producing hallucinations by distorting the senses. A nasal spray formulation called esketamine (brand name Spravato), developed by Johnson & Johnson, was approved by the FDA in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression and became the first approved stand-alone treatment for this condition earlier this year.
In the United States, ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance and is being used off-label to treat various mental health conditions. Studies have shown it to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation. However, ketamine also carries significant risks; the drug rose in prominence following actor Matthew Perry’s death in 2023 from acute effects of ketamine. Recreational use remains problematic globally, with reports indicating misuse by children as young as 12 in the United Kingdom, and the British government is reviewing its classification.
One patient, seeking treatment for PTSD stemming from prolonged exposure to a toxic work environment, underwent ketamine infusion therapy at a clinic in New York over two weeks, receiving six sessions ranging from 50 to 95 milligrams with magnesium added to alleviate anxiety. At $525 per session, the treatment was not covered by insurance. During treatments, the patient reported profound experiences—including vivid visualizations and a sense of peaceful detachment—combined with practical improvements: tension in neck and shoulders resolved, migraines ceased, and emotional responses shifted from reactive anxiety to quiet acceptance.
Two days after the first infusion, the patient resumed running, booked personal training sessions, and tidied the apartment after weeks of avoidance. While not a cure, the therapy provided what the patient described as a “peak experience”—experiential knowledge that they could feel calm and secure—enabling capacity for daily functioning and inner work alongside reduced anxiety about the future.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/28/health/ketamine-therapy-depression-wellness