Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety

Yes, when administered under medical supervision by trained physicians, ketamine therapy is safe. At Keta Medical Center, our team is led by emergency medicine physicians with extensive training, ensuring that every treatment adheres to the highest standards of medical safety.

Side effects may include mild nausea, dizziness, feelings of dissociation, anxiety or increased blood pressure. These typically resolve shortly after the treatment session. Our medical team monitors patients closely to manage any side effects effectively.

The overwhelming majority of Keta Medical Center’s patients are covered by insurance and pay $50 or less per treatment.

Insurance coverage for anxiety depends on the type of ketamine treatment you receive:

• Spravato® (Esketamine) is FDA-approved and many insurance providers will cover it for depression related to anxiety.  Keta Medical Center will work with your insurer to complete the required prior authorization and provide documentation of your treatment history.
• IV Ketamine is considered an off-label treatment, so most insurance plans do not cover it. Therefore, it is typically an out-of-pocket service. Superbills for patients to submit to insurance providers are available. 

Keta Medical Center’s team can help you review your benefits, understand your coverage options, and determine the best financing plan to suit your needs and budget. Unsure? Schedule a consultation and we can help clarify.

Most common anxiety disorders treatable with ketamine therapy are: 

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) 
• Panic disorder (experiencing recurring panic attacks) 
• OCD
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Ketamine reduces anxiety by blocking NMDA receptors, which increases glutamate and triggers rapid neuroplastic changes that help form new neural connections. This helps people reframe their thinking and responses, often helping them get “unstuck” and help alleviate the weight they feel, thus finding more joy in their daily lives.

SSRIs work more slowly by adjusting serotonin and norepinephrine levels, often taking weeks to alter mood, whereas ketamine typically produces faster symptom relief through a different glutamate-driven pathway.

Ketamine may be a very good option for those who cannot tolerate standard medications. It can also be helpful in patients that have not improved or plateaued with standard oral medications.

Ketamine has a different mechanism to anxiety medications. While antidepressants typically increase serotonin levels over time, ketamine briefly blocks NMDA receptors which trigger a surge of glutamate activity that helps the brain create new pathways that improve communication between brain cells and “reset” behavioral patterns linked to anxiety disorders. 

Because ketamine works differently in the brain than anxiety medication, it can be an option for patients who don’t tolerate or respond to typical anxiety medications.

Most patients can continue taking their regular antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) while receiving ketamine therapy, but some Benzodiazepine medications may influence how effective ketamine is or how your body responds.

Medication safety and potential interactions are reviewed during the consultation to ensure appropriate care. Your clinician will give a personalized recommendation based on your exact medication list—so let us know everything you’re taking, including supplements.

All sessions at Keta Medical Center are supervised by a licensed physician and nurse to ensure safety and comfort.

Yes, certain conditions medical conditions that might not be compatible with ketamine therapy include: 

• History of psychosis (such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder)
• Active substance use disorder (especially involving ketamine or dissociatives)
• people with uncontrolled hypertension 
• Patients with history of aneurism
• Patients with allergy to ketamine
• individuals with a history of psychosis or active mania
• pregnant individuals

All potential risk factors are identified during the consultation. Have questions? Schedule a consultation and we can help clarify.

When used medically and in controlled doses, ketamine therapy is not considered addictive for most patients. Here’s what you should know:

• Medical ketamine is given in low, controlled doses under clinician supervision
• There is no evidence that clinically administered ketamine for anxiety or depression leads to dependence in patients
• Clinics carefully monitor dosage, frequency, and response to ensure safety
• Treatments are scheduled over time and there is no take-home ketamine, which greatly reduces any misuse risk
• The scientific studies support that in the long term when medically supervised, ketamine has not been shown to be addictive

At Keta Medical Center, ketamine therapy for anxiety is safe, non-habit-forming, and designed to avoid patterns that could lead to dependence.

Many patients report improvement within hours to days, with some noting changes in 2–4 hours after a session, and many feeling better after several treatments. The duration of benefit varies by person.

Improvements often last weeks to months and can be prolonged with individualized maintenance sessions and integrated therapy.