Ketamine has shown the potential to provide almost immediate relief to people who have been living with treatment-resistant depression. But if these beneficial effects are fleeting, the value of this type of therapy would be diminished. So, how long does ketamine last for depression?

What Is Ketamine Therapy?

Before we discuss “how long does ketamine last for depression”, let’s take a moment to review what ketamine is and how it is used in a therapeutic environment.

Ketamine hydrochloride (which is typically referred to simply as ketamine) is a powerful drug that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a general anesthetic.

The potential effects of ketamine include dissociation, loss of consciousness, reduced ability to feel pain, altered perceptions, and hallucinations.

Researchers originally explored ketamine’s value as a mental health medication in the 1960s. However, concerns about the drug’s distressing side effects caused these initial research efforts to be abandoned.

Research into ketamine’s mental health benefits resumed in the early 2000s. This lead to the FDA’s 2019 approval of Spravato, a prescription nasal spray that can be used to help people who have treatment-resistant depression. Spravato contains a ketamine variant called esketamine.

In addition to prescribing the FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray, some doctors also use ketamine on an off-label basis to treat depression and other mental health concerns. Providers that offer ketamine therapy typically administer the medication via intravenous (IV) injection. This practice is often referred to as ketamine infusion therapy.

How Long Does Ketamine Last for Depression?

One of the reasons why ketamine has received such significant attention among mental health experts is that the drug acts very quickly.

When a person takes a standard antidepressant, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), they usually have to use the medication for several weeks before they begin to experience an easing of their depression symptoms.

Ketamine therapy does not require people to wait nearly this long. For example, a 2019 study in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry reported that patients who receive ketamine infusion therapy can experience “significant improvement” in their symptoms within an hour of receiving the medication.

But how long do these effects last?

A 2022 review in the journal Discover Mental Health reported the following results from several prior studies:

• A small double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that the positive effects of a single ketamine infusion session lasted for 10-12 days.
• An analysis of 10 ketamine trials found that people with treatment-resistant depression who completed a single ketamine infusion session experienced reduced suicidal ideation for at least a week.
• A long-term study involving 297 participants found that only 25% of those who received esketamine nasal spray twice a week for 16 weeks (along with an oral antidepressant) experienced a relapse of symptoms. Among those who did relapse, it took an average of 635 days before their symptoms returned.

The duration of ketamine’s positive effects can be influenced by several factors, such as:

• Which type of therapy a person received (nasal esketamine or IV ketamine infusions)
• How many ketamine therapy sessions a person completed
• If the person also took an oral antidepressant

It’s unlikely that the question, how long does ketamine last for depression, will ever have one universal answer. As is the case with most other forms of mental health treatment, the benefits of ketamine therapy can vary considerably from one person to the next.

This underscores the importance of finding a ketamine therapy provider that can assess the full scope of your needs and develop a comprehensive, personalized plan that includes medication, therapy, and education.

What Happens During a Ketamine Session?

Sometimes, when a person asks about how long ketamine lasts, they are referring to how much time it takes to complete a session.

If you receive esketamine nasal spray (Spravato), it only takes a few seconds to administer the medication:

• During a Spravato session, your doctor will hand you the application device and instruct you how to use it.
• You will administer the esketamine yourself under your doctor’s supervision.
• You will then need to remain at your doctor’s office for about two hours to ensure that you don’t experience any disorienting or distressing effects.

If you receive ketamine infusion therapy, it takes a bit longer for the medication to be administered.

• During your ketamine infusion session, you may sit or recline in a comfortable chair or bed.
• Your doctor or a qualified member of their staff will set up the IV and insert a small needle in your arm.
• The IV will deliver ketamine for about 40 minutes. Throughout the process, a doctor or nurse will monitor your vital signs.
• After the IV has been removed, you will usually be asked to remain under observation in the office for another 45 minutes.

After either a Spravato or ketamine infusion session, you should not drive for the rest of the day, so you will need to arrange transportation home prior to receiving the medication.

Learn More About Ketamine Therapy for Depression in Atlanta

Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry offers a dynamic array of innovative evidence-based services, including ketamine therapy, for adults who have depression.

When you choose our center, you will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with a team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals. We will assess your needs, help you identify your goals, discuss your options with you, and develop a customized treatment plan just for you. Every step of the way, you can expect to receive focused support within a safe and respectful treatment environment.

To learn more about ketamine therapy for depression in Atlanta, or to schedule a free assessment for yourself or a loved one, please visit our Appointments page or call us today.