Who is a good candidate for ketamine treatment for PTSD?

Individuals who may benefit include: People with treatment-resistant PTSD who have tried multiple medications or trauma-focused therapy without sufficient relief or whose medications have plateaued Patients whose symptoms significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, or quality of life Individuals who cannot tolerate the side effects of standard PTSD medications

Ketamine Therapy for
PTSD

Only about 39% of PTSD patients find adequate relief through psychiatric medications, and many who initially improve see symptoms return. Ketamine therapy offers a new approach for patients who have not found lasting relief.

Understanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What is PTSD and how is it treated?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While many patients respond to treatment, a significant number continue to experience persistent symptoms.

Clinical name
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Prevalence
~6% of American adults will experience PTSD during their lifetime
Typical onset
Symptoms can begin within weeks or months following a traumatic event, though onset may be delayed for some
Standard treatment
Psychotherapy & antidepressants
Diagnostic criteria
Persistent symptoms following trauma, including intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood changes, and heightened stress responses lasting more than one month
Treatment gap
Up to 50–60% of individuals with PTSD may not achieve full remission with standard first-line treatments alone

Key symptoms

The science

How ketamine treats PTSD

“For many patients, relief begins within hours of their first session — not weeks.”

Unlike traditional antidepressants that focus on serotonin, ketamine targets the brain’s glutamate system, which plays a key role in how the brain processes and adapts to trauma. By increasing glutamate activity, ketamine helps form new neural connections, allowing the brain to “reset” abnormal stress and fear responses linked to PTSD. This can make it easier for patients to break free from entrenched patterns of anxiety and reactivity.

Research shows ketamine can produce rapid improvements in PTSD symptoms, often within hours to days, especially for those who have not responded to conventional treatments.

For many patients, this offers a new path forward when other options have fallen short.

Traditional antidepressants vs. ketamine

Ketamine therapy

Hours to days

Glutamate / NMDA

Significant

Traditional antidepressants

4+ weeks

Serotonin / norepinephrine

Minimal

What to expect

The ketamine treatment process

01

Schedule free consultation

Our treatment process starts with a personal consultation, where we take time to understand your unique challenges. We collaborate with you and your health providers to create a personalized care plan.

02

Begin treatment

From the moment you enter our clinic, you’ll be greeted with a smile and a calm environment. After a quick exam, our staff ensures you’re completely comfortable and ready to begin.

03

During treatment

Settle into a cozy reclining chair in a private room. You’ll receive an eye mask, noise-canceling headphones, and music options. Each treatment lasts 40–50 minutes, and our attentive medical team will be by your side.

04

Regular sessions

Our physicians design a customized treatment plan for each patient. The induction period lasts 3–4 weeks and includes 6–8 sessions. Maintenance sessions are scheduled based on each patient’s needs.

Proven results

Rapid relief for PTSD

Feel better in hours to days — not weeks. Here’s what the research shows.

Prevalence

Nearly 9% of Americans

Treatment gap

Standard treatment falls short for up to 60%

70%

Reduction in hospital admissions

2–4 hours

Typical onset of relief

What our patients are saying

I pretty much was raised thinking that everything that was wrong with me was my fault… The idea that there might be something physically off — it never came up as that. It was always my guilt, my problem. And I think ketamine really freed me from that.

Literally without any doubt. The clinic saved my life. This is real.

Good people helping vulnerable people find their way.

I feel completely safe and taken care of while I am there.

Treatment options

We offer two evidence-based ketamine treatments: Spravato® nasal spray, for patients with treatment-resistant depression, and IV ketamine infusions. Both are administered under medical supervision.

Spravato®

Esketamine nasal spray

FDA-approved

IV ketamine

Intravenous ketamine infusion

If you’re not sure, we’ll help you understand which option is right for you.

Research on ketamine therapy & PTSD

Below are several studies examining the effectiveness of ketamine in treating PTSD. Research on ketamine for PTSD continues to expand, with a growing body of evidence exploring its therapeutic potential.

Nature

Long term structural and functional neural changes following a single infusion of Ketamine in PTSD

NMDA receptor antagonists have a vital role in extinction, learning, and reconsolidation processes.

National Library of Medicine

Effectiveness of ketamine for the treatment of post-traumatic Stress Disorder – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an enduring condition characterized by a chronic course and impairments across several areas.

The Conversation

Ketamine can rapidly reduce symptoms of PTSD and depression, new study finds

The drug ketamine can reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and symptoms of depression in patients as early as a day after injection.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

In PTSD, evidence that a single ketamine infusion may enhance extinction of recalled traumatic memories

Intrusive memories of trauma are among the classic symptoms of PTSD that can haunt and impair sufferers.

FAQs

Ketamine works differently from traditional PTSD treatment by boosting glutamate activity. This supports neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form new, healthier connections which can help reduce symptoms such as hypervigilance, the “fight or flight” response and intrusive thoughts and memories that can be debilitating.

Individuals who may benefit include:

People with treatment-resistant PTSD who have tried multiple medications or trauma-focused therapy without sufficient relief or whose medications have plateaued
Patients whose symptoms significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, or quality of life
Individuals who cannot tolerate the side effects of standard PTSD medications

Many patients with PTSD notice symptom relief within hours to days of their first ketamine treatment, though individual response varies. This may include feeling calmer, less reactive, or less overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts.

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.

Most patients continue their existing psychiatric medications and ongoing psychotherapy for PTSD while receiving ketamine, and our team will review medications during the initial evaluation to ensure safety. Ketamine is often combined intentionally with therapy. Keta Medical Center supports coordinated care, including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy when appropriate.

Insurance coverage for PTSD 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 PTSD. 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.

PRISM for PTSD is an FDA-cleared, evidence-based neurofeedback treatment designed specifically for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It uses real-time brainwave monitoring and feedback to help patients learn to regulate activity in the amygdala — the part of the brain tied to fear, stress, and emotional responses. It is covered by some insurance companies.

Not sure yet?

Explore the resources on our site to find out how ketamine treatment can help you heal.

Ketamine Therapy for PTSD