Unlocking Hope: Ketamine Assisted Therapy Explained

In recent years, ketamine has emerged as a powerful tool in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders. Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now being recognized for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties—offering relief for those who have not responded to traditional treatment. At Rooted Wellness AZ, we integrate ketamine into a holistic, client-centered model of care that supports both neurobiological healing and emotional growth.

1. Rapid Relief from Depression

Unlike SSRIs, which can take weeks to become effective, ketamine often produces noticeable changes within hours to days. This is especially promising for those struggling with suicidal ideation or treatment-resistant depression.

"Ketamine’s fast-acting antidepressant effects represent a major shift in the treatment of mood disorders, offering hope where other treatments have failed" (Abdallah et al., 2015).

2. Neuroplasticity and Brain Healing

Ketamine promotes synaptogenesis—the formation of new connections in the brain—which may help reverse the neurobiological damage caused by chronic stress and depression.

Research shows that ketamine increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein associated with neuroplasticity and resilience (Duman et al., 2019).

3. Enhanced Emotional Processing

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) allows clients to access suppressed memories, unconscious patterns, and emotional blocks in a safe and supported setting. Many clients describe the experience as a “reset,” creating space for new perspectives and healing.

"Ketamine may disrupt rigid patterns of thought and facilitate emotional breakthroughs when used in a therapeutic context" (Dakwar & Nunes, 2016).

4. Reduction in Suicidal Thoughts

One of the most compelling aspects of ketamine is its ability to reduce suicidal ideation quickly—often within 24 hours.

A meta-analysis found that a single dose of ketamine significantly reduced suicidal thoughts in individuals with major depressive disorder (Wilkinson et al., 2018).

5. Support for PTSD and Anxiety

Ketamine has also shown promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD and anxiety by calming the overactive default mode network and enhancing psychological flexibility.

Studies suggest ketamine helps reduce hyperarousal and avoidance behaviors common in PTSD, allowing for more effective trauma processing (Feder et al., 2014).

Conclusion

Ketamine therapy represents a major advancement in integrative mental health care. When combined with psychotherapy and a holistic treatment approach, it has the potential to create lasting change. At Rooted Wellness AZ, we’re committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s needs. If you’re interested in learning whether ketamine therapy is right for you, reach out to schedule a consultation.

Citations:

Abdallah, C. G., Sanacora, G., Duman, R. S., & Krystal, J. H. (2015). Ketamine and rapid-acting antidepressants: A window into a new neurobiology for mood disorder therapeutics. Annual Review of Medicine, 66, 509–523. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-053013-062946

Dakwar, E., & Nunes, E. V. (2016). The use of ketamine in substance-use disorders: A review. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 24(2), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000095

Duman, R. S., Sanacora, G., & Krystal, J. H. (2019). Altered connectivity in depression: GABA and glutamate neurotransmitter deficits and reversal by novel treatments. Neuron, 102(1), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.03.013

Feder, A., Parides, M. K., Murrough, J. W., Perez, A. M., Morgan, J. E., Saxena, S., ... & Charney, D. S. (2014). Efficacy of intravenous ketamine for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(6), 681–688. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.62

Wilkinson, S. T., Ballard, E. D., & Zarate, C. A. (2018). The role of ketamine in suicide prevention. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 5(2), 159–168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-018-0133-0