Ketamine IV Therapy Benefits: Fast Relief for Mental Health and Pain

What Is Ketamine IV Therapy?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic approved by the FDA for anesthesia and pain during surgeries. In ketamine IV therapy, much lower (subanesthetic) doses are infused directly into the bloodstream to modulate certain brain receptors (notably NMDA receptors) and trigger downstream effects that can reduce depression, reduce pain, and more.

It bypasses the slower absorption routes (like oral medications), allowing for rapid access to the central nervous system.

How long do the effects of Ketamine IV last?

Studies show that one IV ketamine infusion can reduce depressive symptoms within one day, with effects lasting three to seven days on average in major depressive disorder (MDD) or treatment-resistant depression (TRD). [1]

For chronic pain, multiple infusions over several days often bring more sustained relief; sometimes the effects can last weeks or months, depending on condition type, severity, and follow-up treatments. [2]

How Ketamine Affects the Brain and Body

• Ketamine acts as a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor. Blocking NMDA receptors reduces excitatory glutamate transmission, which is implicated in pain sensitization and mood disorders. [3]
• It also appears to increase synaptic plasticity and promote growth of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports neuronal health and connectivity. [4]
• For pain, ketamine helps disrupt “wind-up” phenomena (where repeated or chronic pain stimuli cause amplified pain responses) and modulates central sensitization. In conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), it can prevent overzealous nerve signaling via NMDA pathways. [5]

Mental Health Benefits of Ketamine IV Therapy

• Treatment-resistant depression (TRD): Patients who have failed multiple antidepressants often show a rapid response to ketamine infusions. One study found that after three infusions over 11 days, ~52% of participants with severe depression achieved remission.
• Suicidal ideation: Some studies report a rapid drop in suicidal thoughts following ketamine IV, often within hours to a day. [6]
• PTSD, bipolar depression, other mood disorders: Evidence is emerging for efficacy in PTSD and bipolar depression. Mount Sinai reported that repeated ketamine infusions reduce symptom severity in chronic PTSD, with improvements seen as early as 24 hours after an infusion.

Physical Benefits of Ketamine IV Therapy

• Chronic pain relief: Ketamine IV has been used for decades in chronic pain settings. The Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Pain Recovery offers subanesthetic ketamine infusions that help with “severe and unrelenting chronic pain”.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): For some CRPS patients, ketamine infusions reduce pain, hypersensitivity, and improve function. The Cleveland Clinic reports using IV ketamine in outpatient settings for CRPS as one of the treatment-paths when other treatments fail.
• Functional restoration: Beyond pain reduction, ketamine can help patients reengage physically with physical therapy, daily activities, movement, as it helps reduce pain intensity and interference. [6]

What to Expect During a Ketamine IV Session

• Pre-treatment evaluation: Medical history, psychiatric history, screening for heart/liver/kidney issues, pregnancy, substance abuse, etc. Also discussion of goals and side effects.
• Infusion length: Typically ~40–60 minutes for an IV ketamine infusion in depression protocols.
• Possible mild dissociative effects: You may feel floating, detached, or altered perception during infusion. These usually subside soon after.
• Monitored setting: Vital signs are monitored; staff ensure safety and address any adverse effects promptly.
• Multiple sessions often recommended: An initial course (2-6 infusions over several weeks) is common for depression or suicidal ideation. For chronic pain, daily infusions over a few days may be recommended in some protocols. [7] 

Is Ketamine therapy covered by insurance?

Coverage is inconsistent. Some insurance plans may cover ketamine for anesthesia, and if off-label psychiatric or pain use is justified, partial coverage may occur. For mental health, the FDA has approved esketamine (a ketamine derivative) for treatment-resistant depression, which is covered under certain conditions. But IV ketamine infusions often remain outside standard insurance coverage.

Is Ketamine IV Therapy Safe?

• Backed by research and growing clinical use: There are dozens of controlled trials and real-world clinic data supporting safety in medically supervised settings. [8]
• Side effects: Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, transient perceptual or mild dissociative symptoms. Increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur but usually within safe margins when monitored. [9]
• Addiction risk: In medical, low-dose, supervised settings, ketamine has not shown strong evidence of addiction or dependence. However, risk exists especially with misuse or frequent unsupervised use.
• Administered only by licensed professionals in appropriate settings to maximize safety.
  

Is Ketamine IV Right for You?

You may be a good candidate if:

• Other treatments (oral antidepressants, psychotherapy, pain medications, physical therapy, surgery if applicable) haven’t worked.
• You need rapid relief, for example in severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or intractable pain.
• You are under the care of a psychiatric or pain specialist who can manage your treatment plan.
• You have no serious contraindications (e.g. uncontrolled hypertension, certain heart conditions, psychosis, specific organ dysfunctions).

Consultation with a provider is essential to assess risks vs benefits in your specific case.

Book a Ketamine IV Therapy Session with Drip Hydration

If you’re considering ketamine IV therapy, Drip Hydration offers mobile or clinic-based services with professional, doctor-supervised protocols. Benefits of choosing a high quality, ethical provider include:

• Medical screening and safety oversight
• Infusions done by licensed nurses or physicians
• Customized treatment protocols based on health status, condition, and response

Summary

Ketamine IV therapy offers fast relief for both mental health and pain when standard treatments may be slow, incomplete, or insufficient. With effects sometimes evident within hours, and ongoing improvements over weeks, it addresses depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, chronic pain (including CRPS), and more.

Yet, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution—it carries risks, requires professional administration, and often works best in conjunction with other treatments. If you’re exploring ketamine IV, consult a medical specialist, understand what you’re getting into, and choose a provider you trust.

References

[1] [4] [6] National Library of Medicine, Ketamine treatment for depression: a review, Yavi, M., Lee, H., Henter, I., Park, L., Zarate Jr., C.,  April 2022

[2] [7] Cleveland Clinic, Center for Pain Recovery Offers Ketamine Infusions as a Component of Their Multidisciplinary Treatment Model.

[3] [6] Cleveland Clinic (podcast transcript), Ketamine for Chronic Pain, Tankha, P., DO, April 2022.

[5] Cleveland Clinic, When Nothing Seems to Help Your CRPS, Ketamine Pain Treatments May Bring Relief, March 2019.

[8] National Library of Science, Acute and longer-term outcomes using ketamine as a clinical treatment at the Yale Psychiatric Hospital, Wilkinson, S., Katz, R., Toprak, M., Webler, R., Ostroff, R., Sanacora, G., July 2018.

[9] Cleveland Clinic, Kentamine Injection.