One of the issues thought to underlie depressive symptoms is an impairment in neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain’s neural networks to change through growth and reorganization. When the brain lacks this ability, depressive symptoms become more persistent. Ketamine contributes to increased neuroplasticity by increasing glutamate transmission, which helps neurons communicate along new pathways. As a result, ketamine can help patients experience improved mood and thought patterns through these new connections. This change happens quickly, which is how ketamine is able to produce such rapid antidepressant effects.

Ketamine helps to improve synaptic connections in the brain by activating the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Part of this signaling pathway contributes to the healing of damaged synapses as well. During Ketamine Therapy, this primarily occurs in the areas of the brain that are associated with learning, memory, and emotional regulation. This contributes to antidepressant effects while also priming the patient to experience a kind of psychological healing process. Over time, this may even help patients develop resilience that can help prevent the return of their depression.

One of the most exciting positive outcomes of Ketamine therapy is the fact that it has very minor short-term side effects and no known long-term side effects. Patients sometimes experience mild dissociative effects, which are often described as pleasant or relaxing. Some experience slight nausea, but medication can be administered to reduce or eliminate this side effect. Patients may feel fatigued afterward, so they are advised to take it easy and avoid driving or going back to work for the remainder of the day. Compared to antidepressant medication side effects, which include everything from weight gain, dizziness, and constipation to insomnia and reduced sex drive, ketamine’s side effects are exceptionally minimal.