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Ketamine IV Therapy IV Therapy

Breakthrough treatment for depression and chronic pain

Medically reviewed by Jonathan Belmore, MD|Updated 2026-06-01

$400–$800

Per session

60 min

Session duration

7 Benefits

Documented effects

4

Active ingredients

Ketamine IV Therapy IV Therapy

Key Takeaways

  • IV ketamine is a medical treatment, given under supervision, for treatment-resistant depression and certain chronic-pain conditions — not a wellness drip.
  • Unlike standard antidepressants that take weeks, sub-anesthetic ketamine can ease depression and suicidal thoughts within hours to days by acting on glutamate/NMDA pathways.
  • Sessions cost roughly $400–$800 and run about an hour, with monitoring during and after for blood pressure and dissociative effects.
  • Evidence for short-term antidepressant effect is strong; questions remain about how long benefits last and the best long-term protocol.

What is Ketamine IV Therapy IV Therapy?

Ketamine IV therapy has emerged as one of the most significant breakthroughs in psychiatry and pain medicine in decades. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to work via serotonin pathways, sub-anesthetic IV ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects — often within hours — by targeting NMDA glutamate receptors and promoting neuroplasticity. It is used clinically for treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation, PTSD, OCD, and chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, CRPS, and neuropathic pain. Administered in a clinical setting under medical supervision.

How Ketamine IV Therapy IV Therapy Works

Most antidepressants work slowly through serotonin pathways. Ketamine works differently: at low (sub-anesthetic) doses it blocks NMDA glutamate receptors and triggers a cascade that rapidly strengthens synaptic connections (neuroplasticity). This is why a single infusion can lift mood and reduce suicidal thinking within hours — a speed conventional medications cannot match.

It is delivered as a carefully dosed IV (commonly 0.5 mg/kg over about 40 minutes) in a monitored clinical setting. Patients experience a temporary dissociative, dreamlike state during the infusion. Because ketamine raises blood pressure and has misuse potential, it is screened for, dosed precisely, and supervised — it is never a casual add-on.

What's in a Ketamine IV Therapy Drip?

IngredientWhat it doesTypical dose
Ketamine HCl (sub-anesthetic)NMDA-receptor antagonist that rapidly promotes neuroplasticity and antidepressant effects.~0.5 mg/kg
Normal salineCarrier fluid for controlled, slow infusion.50–100 mL
Midazolam (optional)Occasionally used to ease anxiety during the session.Provider-determined
Ondansetron (optional)Prevents nausea, a possible side effect.4 mg

What to Expect During a Ketamine IV Therapy Session

After psychiatric and medical screening, you are seated or reclined in a quiet room with blood-pressure and other monitoring. During the ~40–60 minute infusion most people feel floaty, dreamy, or dissociated; this is expected and fades soon after the drip ends. You cannot drive afterward and need someone to take you home.

Treatment is usually a series — often around six infusions over two to three weeks — followed by maintenance sessions if you respond. It is delivered alongside, not instead of, ongoing mental-health care, and works best as part of a treatment plan with a prescriber.

Benefits of Ketamine IV Therapy

Rapid antidepressant effect (hours, not weeks)
Treatment-resistant depression relief
Suicidal ideation reduction
PTSD symptom relief
Chronic pain reduction
Neuroplasticity promotion
OCD and anxiety relief

Who is Ketamine IV Therapy Best For?

  • Treatment-resistant depression
  • Major depressive disorder
  • PTSD and trauma
  • Suicidal ideation (acute)
  • OCD unresponsive to medication
  • CRPS and neuropathic pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic regional pain syndrome

Ketamine IV Therapy IV Therapy Cost

Starts from

$400

Typical high

$800

Session

60 min

What affects Ketamine IV Therapy pricing?

Clinic vs. mobile (at-home) serviceMobile visits add a $25–$50 travel fee
Add-ons (glutathione, anti-nausea, extra B12)+$25–$75 each
Dose / volume of the infusionHigher doses sit at the top of the range
Membership or multi-session packagesOften 10–25% lower per session
Local market & cost of livingMajor metros trend higher
See the full IV therapy cost guide

Evidence & Research

Ketamine has some of the strongest evidence of any therapy on this site. Berman and colleagues first reported rapid antidepressant effects in a controlled trial (Biological Psychiatry, 2000), and many randomized trials since have confirmed fast, significant short-term relief in treatment-resistant depression and acute suicidal ideation.

In 2017, a work group of the American Psychiatric Association published a consensus statement (Sanacora et al., JAMA Psychiatry) supporting ketamine’s use for mood disorders while emphasizing proper screening, monitoring, and clinician oversight. A related nasal-spray form (esketamine/Spravato) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression.

The open questions are about durability and long-term safety: benefits can fade over days to weeks without maintenance, and optimal long-term protocols are still being defined. Bottom line — this is an evidence-backed psychiatric/pain treatment that belongs in a supervised clinical program, not a lifestyle infusion.

Ketamine IV Therapy vs. Other IV Drips

Ketamine IV Therapy vs. NAD+

NAD+ guide

Both are longer, higher-cost infusions, but they are unrelated: ketamine is a supervised psychiatric/pain treatment, while NAD+ is a wellness/longevity drip. Only ketamine has strong controlled evidence for its core use.

Ketamine IV Therapy vs. Magnesium

Magnesium guide

For chronic pain, magnesium is a low-cost, low-risk option, whereas ketamine is reserved for severe, refractory pain or depression and requires close monitoring.

Important Considerations

Always disclose the following conditions to your provider before receiving Ketamine IV Therapy therapy:

  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Active psychosis or schizophrenia
  • Substance use disorder (ketamine)
  • Unstable cardiovascular disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Poorly controlled thyroid disease
  • History of mania without mood stabilizer

Ketamine IV Therapy IV Therapy — FAQs

Ketamine IV therapy has emerged as one of the most significant breakthroughs in psychiatry and pain medicine in decades. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to work via serotonin pathways, sub-anesthetic IV ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects — often within hours — by targeting NMDA glutamate receptors and promoting neuroplasticity. It is used clinically for treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation, PTSD, OCD, and chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, CRPS, and neuropathic pain. Administered in a clinical setting under medical supervision.
Ketamine IV Therapy IV therapy typically costs $400–$800 per session, depending on your location and provider. Some clinics offer package pricing for multiple sessions.
A Ketamine IV Therapy IV session takes approximately 60 minutes. Add 10–15 minutes for setup and intake at your first visit.
Ketamine IV Therapy IV therapy is best for: Treatment-resistant depression, Major depressive disorder, PTSD and trauma, Suicidal ideation (acute), OCD unresponsive to medication, CRPS and neuropathic pain, Fibromyalgia, Chronic regional pain syndrome. Consult with the clinical staff if you have existing health conditions.
The following conditions may contraindicate Ketamine IV Therapy: Uncontrolled hypertension, Active psychosis or schizophrenia, Substance use disorder (ketamine), Unstable cardiovascular disease, Pregnancy, Poorly controlled thyroid disease, History of mania without mood stabilizer. Always complete the health intake form and disclose all medications and conditions before your session.
Often within hours to a few days — far faster than standard antidepressants, which typically take several weeks. This rapid effect is a key reason it is used for acute suicidal ideation.
IV ketamine for depression is used off-label, but it is strongly evidence-supported and endorsed in an APA consensus statement. A related nasal spray, esketamine (Spravato), is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression.
Most people feel floaty, dreamy, or dissociated during the session. It is temporary and monitored; the sensation fades shortly after the infusion ends. You will need a ride home.
A typical induction course is around six infusions over two to three weeks, with maintenance sessions afterward for people who respond. Protocols are individualized by the treating clinician.
It is avoided or used with caution in people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable heart disease, active psychosis, untreated mania, certain substance-use histories, and pregnancy. Thorough screening is required.

Sources & References

  1. Berman RM, et al. Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients. (2000) — Biological Psychiatry
  2. Sanacora G, et al. A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders. (2017) — JAMA Psychiatry
  3. Spravato (esketamine) — FDA prescribing information & approval — U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. IV therapy should only be administered by licensed medical professionals. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any IV therapy treatment.