IV Ketamine for
Depression

More than sadness —
a neurological condition

Depression is not a character flaw. It is not laziness. It is not something you can simply think your way out of. Depression is a medical condition rooted in brain chemistry, neural circuitry, and the complex biology of how your brain communicates with itself.

For millions of people, traditional antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs provide meaningful relief. But for roughly one in three patients, these medications fall short. Doctors call this treatment-resistant depression, and until recently, the options were limited: try another medication, increase the dose, add a second drug, and wait weeks to find out if any of it works.

Ketamine changes that equation entirely.

Symptoms of Depression

If you recognize yourself in this list, you are not alone. And if the medications you've tried haven't given you the relief you deserve, that does not mean relief is out of reach.

How ketamine works differently

Traditional antidepressants target serotonin and norepinephrine — neurotransmitters that play a role in mood regulation. Ketamine takes a completely different approach. It works primarily through the glutamate system, the brain's most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter and the master switch for neural communication.

At sub-anesthetic doses, ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, triggering a cascade of molecular events that culminate in something remarkable: the rapid growth of new synaptic connections between neurons. Scientists call this neuroplasticity, and it is essentially your brain's ability to rewire itself.

The Glutamate Pathway

When ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, it causes a surge of glutamate that activates AMPA receptors. This triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) — a protein that acts like fertilizer for neurons, stimulating the growth of new dendritic spines and synaptic connections. In depression, many of these connections have withered. Ketamine helps them grow back.

Rapid Onset vs. Traditional Antidepressants

SSRIs require weeks of daily dosing to gradually shift serotonin levels. Ketamine's mechanism is fundamentally faster because it directly stimulates synaptogenesis — new neural pathway formation — rather than waiting for slow neurochemical adaptation. Many patients notice a shift within hours of their first infusion. The weight lifts. The fog clears. Colors seem brighter.

This is not a placebo effect. Functional MRI studies show measurable changes in brain connectivity patterns within 24 hours of a single ketamine infusion, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus — regions critically involved in mood regulation and emotional processing.

Anesthesia expertise meets deep compassion

Marla Peterson, CRNA, APRN, brings years of anesthesia experience to every infusion. As a board-certified nurse anesthetist, she understands ketamine at a level most providers simply cannot — because she has administered it thousands of times in operating rooms before bringing it into the mental health setting.

That background means your safety is never in question. Hospital-grade monitoring, precise dosing protocols, and the calm, confident presence of someone who has spent their career managing complex medication administration. But what sets Marla apart is not just her clinical skill — it is her genuine warmth and her deep belief that every person who walks through our doors deserves to feel better.

Your path to feeling better

Treatment for depression typically begins with a series of six infusions over two to three weeks. Each infusion lasts approximately 40 minutes, during which you will relax in a private treatment suite with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and the option of music or silence — whatever feels right for you.

Marla monitors your vital signs continuously throughout every infusion. You may experience a floating sensation, mild visual changes, or a deep sense of calm. Most patients describe the experience as peaceful and introspective.

After the initial series, many patients transition to maintenance infusions on an as-needed basis — typically once every four to eight weeks. We will work with you and your existing mental health providers to create a treatment plan that supports lasting recovery.