Ketamine treatment for depression: a review

This excellent new review from the National Institute of Mental Health is a bit technical, but it covers many topics that are directly relevant to how we work with clients at Innate Ketamine Therapy.

If you’re curious about the science behind ketamine—how it works, what conditions it helps with, and where caution is warranted—it’s well worth a look. A great way to “peek under the hood.”

What’s most striking is how ketamine works completely differently from traditional antidepressants. Instead of slowly shifting brain chemistry over weeks, ketamine seems to create rapid changes in brain connectivity and plasticity—essentially “unsticking” deeply entrenched thought and mood patterns. The article explains how ketamine affects the glutamate system, helping the brain reconnect circuits that may have gone offline during prolonged depression.

The review also reinforces that ketamine is not a cure-all. It works best when part of a thoughtful, supportive treatment plan. It may be less effective—or carry more risk—for people with certain conditions, such as psychosis or active substance use disorder. This is why at Innate, we always do a thorough evaluation, and we stay in close communication with each client’s existing providers.