Interventional Psychiatry · Gilbert, AZ

IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for decades. At sub-anesthetic doses, it has shown remarkable results for patients with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, severe anxiety, and chronic pain.

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  • Off-label but widely recognized by psychiatrists nationwide
  • Physician-supervised in a calm, monitored setting
  • Rapid relief — often within hours of first infusion
Your protocol at a glance
Initial series + maintenance
Pre-screening & evaluation
Day 0
Infusion 1–3 (establishing response)
Week 1
Infusion 4–6 (consolidation)
Week 2–3
Assessment & planning
Week 3–4
Maintenance (monthly or as needed)
Ongoing
50+ yrs
Medical Use
Hours
To First Relief
6 sessions
Initial Series
45–60 min
Per Infusion
How it works

Rewiring the Brain at the Neural Level

Ketamine triggers a cascade of neurological changes that can rapidly restore healthy brain function. It’s a fundamentally different pathway than SSRIs or SNRIs — which is why it works when they don’t.

Step 1

NMDA Receptor Blockade

Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, which triggers a surge of glutamate — the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter. A fundamentally different pathway than SSRIs or SNRIs.

Step 2

Synaptic Growth

The glutamate surge activates AMPA receptors and releases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which promotes the growth of new synaptic connections between neurons.

Step 3

Neuroplasticity

These new connections help the brain “rewire” itself — restoring neural pathways that depression has weakened or severed. This is why relief can come so rapidly.

What to Expect During Treatment

A calm, controlled clinical experience designed for safety and therapeutic response.

1

Pre-Screening & Evaluation

We review your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals to confirm IV ketamine is appropriate for you.

2

Comfortable Clinical Setting

You’ll relax in a private, calm treatment room. Vitals are monitored throughout by our clinical staff.

3

IV Infusion (45–60 Minutes)

Ketamine is delivered intravenously at a carefully calibrated, sub-anesthetic dose. Mild dissociative or floating sensations are normal and resolve quickly.

4

Recovery & Ride Home

After your infusion, you’ll rest briefly until you feel steady. You’ll need someone to drive you home — you cannot drive yourself after treatment.

Who Can Benefit from IV Ketamine?

IV ketamine has shown significant results for patients struggling with conditions that haven’t responded to traditional treatments.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

When two or more medications have failed to provide adequate relief.

PTSD

Helping the brain process and move past traumatic experiences more effectively.

Chronic Pain

Modulating pain signals at the neurological level for patients with persistent pain conditions.

Severe Anxiety

Calming overactive neural circuits that drive debilitating anxiety disorders.

Suicidal Ideation

Rapid reduction of suicidal thoughts, often within hours of the first infusion.

Bipolar Depression

Addressing depressive episodes in bipolar disorder when standard medications fall short.

Treatment protocol

Your IV Ketamine Timeline

A structured protocol designed to build and sustain results over time.

Phase 1

Initial Series

6 infusions · 2–3 weeks

Six infusions administered over 2–3 weeks. This concentrated protocol allows the brain to begin building new neural connections and establish a therapeutic response.

Phase 2

Assessment

After the initial series

We assess your response and determine the optimal path forward. Most patients notice significant improvement by infusion 3 or 4.

Phase 3

Maintenance

Typically monthly

Ongoing infusions as needed — typically monthly or as determined by your provider — to sustain the benefits achieved during the initial series.

IV Ketamine vs. Spravato® (Esketamine)

Both treatments leverage ketamine’s mechanism, but they differ in important ways. We offer both and can help you decide.

 
IV Ketamine
Spravato®
FDA Status
Off-label use for depression
FDA-approved (2019)
Delivery
Intravenous infusion
Nasal spray (self-administered)
Session length
45–60 min infusion
Session + 2-hour monitoring
Dosing flexibility
More customization possible
Fixed FDA-approved dose
Coverage
Typically self-pay
Insurance covered (most plans)
Indications
Depression, PTSD, anxiety, pain
Treatment-resistant MDD; MDD with SI
Learn about Spravato →

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions patients ask before starting IV ketamine.

What does an infusion feel like?
Most patients describe a mild floating or dreamy sensation during the infusion. Some experience gentle visual or sensory changes. These dissociative effects are temporary, generally pleasant or neutral, and resolve within 30–60 minutes of ending the infusion.
Is IV ketamine safe?
Yes. Ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for over 50 years. At the sub-anesthetic doses used for mental health treatment, side effects are typically mild and short-lived. Our team monitors your vitals throughout.
How many infusions will I need?
The standard initial protocol is 6 infusions over 2–3 weeks. After this series, we evaluate your response and determine whether maintenance infusions are needed. Many patients transition to monthly maintenance sessions.
Can I drive after a session?
No. You cannot drive yourself home after an infusion. The dissociative and sedative effects, although temporary, make it unsafe to operate a vehicle. Please arrange for someone to drive you.
Is ketamine addictive?
At the low, controlled doses used in clinical IV infusions, the risk of addiction is very low. Treatment is administered in a supervised medical setting with carefully controlled dosing — not recreational-style use.
How soon will I feel results?
Some patients notice improvement within hours of their first infusion. Others may begin to see significant changes after 2–3 sessions. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks, IV ketamine often delivers rapid relief.
Is IV ketamine covered by insurance?
IV ketamine is typically not covered by insurance because it is used off-label for depression. It is a self-pay treatment. If you’re looking for an insurance-covered ketamine option, ask about Spravato (esketamine) — the FDA-approved nasal spray form.
How is IV ketamine different from Spravato?
IV ketamine is delivered intravenously and used off-label with more dosing flexibility. Spravato® is a nasal spray form of esketamine that is FDA-approved and typically covered by insurance. See the comparison table above for full details.

Physician-Supervised Infusions

IV Ketamine infusions are physician-supervised by our psychiatry-led team in a monitored clinical environment. Your dose, schedule, and protocol are individualized to your psychiatric history and treatment goals.

Meet the Team →

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“Friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. The team was super professional in explaining all of the modalities of treatment. The front desk helped me schedule my next appointment and was easy to talk with. Highly recommend!”

Explore Whether IV Ketamine Is Right for You

Our team at Unchained Psychiatry & Wellness will answer your questions, review your history, and help you decide the right path forward.

Request a Consultation (480) 536-9473