Ketamine therapy has received wide recognition as a groundbreaking treatment for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain. Although ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for over 60 years, misconceptions about its use in mental health care persist, often causing hesitation among individuals who could benefit from it. While stories of misuse and abuse often dominate headlines, the reality is that ketamine is an exceptionally safe medication. In this article, we’ll debunk five of the most common myths about ketamine therapy to help you gain a clearer understanding of this innovative and effective treatment.
Ketamine’s reputation as a recreational drug often overshadows its medical uses. While it’s true that ketamine has been used recreationally due to its dissociative effects, this represents a small fraction of its applications. In reality, ketamine has been an FDA-approved anesthetic since the 1970s and is widely used in surgical and emergency settings.
In 2019, a derivative of ketamine known as esketamine, marketed under the brand name SPRAVATO®, received FDA approval for the treatment of TRD. This approval marked a significant milestone in mental health care, offering hope to individuals who had not responded to at least two prior antidepressant treatments. Additionally, SPRAVATO® was later approved for the treatment of depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) accompanied by acute suicidal ideation or behavior.
When administered in a controlled clinical environment, ketamine therapy is vastly different from recreational use. In a therapeutic setting, doses are carefully tailored to provide mental health benefits while minimizing risks, unlike the unregulated and often high-dose use associated with recreational settings. It's important to note that ketamine only provides mental health benefits within a specific dose range. Each session is conducted under the close supervision of medical professionals, ensuring both safety and effectiveness. The focus of ketamine therapy is on healing and transformation, not recreation. It empowers patients to address the underlying causes of their mental health challenges, fostering lasting improvements rather than simply masking symptoms.
The belief that ketamine therapy leads to addiction is a common misconception. While recreational use of ketamine at high doses and without supervision can lead to misuse, therapeutic use is fundamentally different. Recreational users who take ketamine daily may develop a psychological dependence, often relying on the drug for self-medication and dissociation without addressing the underlying causes of their suffering. However, ketamine does not lead to physical addiction in the same way substances like alcohol or opioid pain medications do. Importantly, daily and recreational use undermines the purpose of this powerful, life-saving medication. In contrast, the structured and controlled administration of ketamine in therapeutic settings, guided by qualified professionals, significantly minimizes the risk of misuse and maximizes its benefits for mental health.
In a clinical context, ketamine is administered at low, sub-anesthetic doses and is not taken home by patients. The treatment is time-limited, often consisting of a series of sessions over a few weeks. Furthermore, research has shown that ketamine therapy does not activate the brain’s reward system in the same way as addictive substances like opioids or stimulants. Instead, ketamine helps reset neural pathways associated with depression and anxiety, promoting long-term healing rather than dependency.
Furthermore, ketamine therapy is increasingly being utilized in the treatment of dependency issues, such as alcohol use disorder, with promising results. Clinical studies have also explored its potential applications for managing benzodiazepine withdrawal and dependence, as well as cocaine addiction, yielding encouraging findings. By promoting neuroplasticity and interrupting patterns of craving and compulsive behavior, ketamine therapy offers a novel and effective approach to addressing these challenging conditions.
When administered by trained professionals in a clinical setting, ketamine therapy is extremely safe. It has a long history of medical use, including as an anesthetic in emergency rooms and for pediatric surgeries. Its safety profile is well-documented, with very low risk when administered correctly. However, certain medical conditions or circumstances may make ketamine therapy unsuitable for some patients. This is why a thorough medical screening by a qualified healthcare provider is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness for each individual.
Patients undergoing ketamine therapy are closely monitored throughout their sessions. Side effects, such as mild nausea or temporary dizziness, are typically short-lived and manageable. The best ketamine clinics take precaution to ensure patients’ comfort and safety, including pre-treatment assessments and post-session observation.
Ketamine-associated cystitis (KAC), a condition characterized by bladder inflammation and damage, is primarily linked to recreational ketamine abuse involving extremely high daily doses, often in the range of 3–5 grams. In stark contrast, therapeutic ketamine for mental health treatment is administered at significantly lower doses—typically 50–100 mg per session—on an intermittent schedule under strict medical supervision. This substantial difference in dosage and frequency underscores why KAC is not observed in clinical settings, with no evidence of bladder injury at these controlled and carefully monitored therapeutic doses.
Ketamine has proven effective in treating a range of mental health conditions beyond depression, particularly for those unresponsive to traditional therapies such as talk therapy and oral antidepressants. Its unique mechanism of action on the brain’s glutamate system not only fosters rapid symptom improvement but also enhances neuroplasticity. In addition to its well-known success in addressing treatment-resistant depression, ketamine therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions, including:
Ketamine also offers significant relief for chronic pain by lowering the pain threshold and "resetting" pain receptors and neural pathways, effectively interrupting pain signals. Its pain-relieving benefits extend to conditions such as:
With its rapid onset, often providing relief within hours, and its effectiveness in treating conditions unresponsive to traditional therapies, ketamine therapy is emerging as a groundbreaking option for pain management.
Ketamine therapy is often portrayed as a miracle cure, but it’s essential to understand that it’s not a quick fix. While many patients experience significant relief after their very first session, the therapy works best when integrated into a comprehensive mental health plan.
Ketamine’s effects include a rapid reduction in symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, but maintaining these benefits requires effort beyond the sessions. Patients are encouraged to engage in psychotherapy, journaling, meditation, and other self-care practices to maximize the therapy’s impact.
Most ketamine providers understand and emphasize the critical role of integration therapy. This process involves patients working with a certified Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) therapist to process their experiences and transform insights into meaningful, lasting change. The healing journey requires commitment and a holistic approach, but ketamine therapy provides a powerful catalyst for transformation.
Ketamine therapy has the potential to change and save lives, but misinformation often stands in the way of people seeking help. By debunking these common myths, we hope to provide a clearer understanding of what ketamine therapy entails and how it can benefit those struggling with mental health challenges.
If you’re considering ketamine therapy or want to learn more about how it might help you, Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy in San Luis Obispo, California is here to guide you. Our team is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and effective care, tailored to your unique needs.
Have questions? Reach out to us today—we’re here to help!
About the Author
Dr. Ray Rivas, a former general and trauma surgeon with over a decade of experience utilizing ketamine, became a ketamine therapy specialist to treat mental health and pain after witnessing its profound impact on his hospital trauma patients and his own mental health. As the founder and medical director of Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy in San Luis Obispo, California, Dr. Rivas applies his extensive medical expertise to provide safe, evidence-based ketamine treatments for mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. His passion lies in helping patients find relief and rediscover hope through personalized, compassionate care.
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