Ketamine Infusion Therapy at the Institute for Advanced Psychiatry

How ketamine may help

At low doses, ketamine affects brain systems involved in mood regulation and can produce rapid improvement in depressive symptoms for some patients. Studies suggest a substantial proportion of treatment‑resistant patients benefit, but not everyone responds and improvements are often short‑term (commonly around two weeks), with individual variation.

Ketamine is one part of a broader treatment plan. You will continue regular care with your primary care clinician or psychiatrist.

What to expect on treatment day

• Infusions are performed in the office.
• A typical infusion lasts about 40 minutes, followed by a monitored recovery period.
• You must have a responsible adult (age 18+) bring you, stay in the waiting area throughout your visit, and drive you home.
• You cannot be discharged alone, or to ride services such as Uber, Lyft, taxi, or to a driver who did not remain onsite.

If these safety requirements are not met, your treatment may be canceled in accordance with office policy.

Side effects, risks, and safety

Common short‑term side effects can include dizziness, nausea, temporary increases in blood pressure, vivid dreams or perceptual changes, confusion, mood changes, or increased libido. These usually begin during or soon after the infusion and often improve within about 80 minutes, though they may last longer for some patients.

There is a small but real risk of habituation or problematic use with ketamine. At our clinic, ketamine is given only as supervised, time‑limited, in‑office treatment with no at‑home dosing.

Ketamine is contraindicated during pregnancy. Please inform us if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding so we can discuss risks, benefits, and alternatives.

After your infusion

For the rest of the day after treatment, you must:

• Not drive or operate machinery
• Not leave the house alone
• Avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, and over‑the‑counter sedating medications
• Avoid major personal, business, or financial decisions

If you experience concerning symptoms, contact our office; in an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room first and then notify us.

Informed, collaborative care

Before starting ketamine, you will review and sign a consent form, discuss benefits, limits, risks, and alternatives, and have the chance to ask all your questions. You can withdraw your consent at any time, including during an infusion.

To learn whether ketamine infusion therapy is appropriate for you, contact the Institute for Advanced Psychiatry in Fort Worth to schedule a consultation.