Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 by a chemistry professor at Wayne State University. It is a fast-acting, quickly metabolized, non-opioid anesthetic. It has been used in and out of the hospital for safe, effective pain relief for decades and is the most common anesthetic used in third-world countries. For these reasons, The World Health Organization has deemed it an essential medication.
In the United States, ketamine is routinely administered (in much higher doses) by civilian and military paramedics, emergency room physicians, and anesthesiologists for acute pain relief and anesthesia. In the past two decades, researchers and medical providers have discovered that ketamine can treat emotional pain, as well as physical pain. It has been proven to quickly (days to weeks) reduce symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, facilitating psychotherapeutic support and improving quality of life. Ketamine therapy has also shown benefit with some chronic neurological pain conditions, including migraine and complex regional pain syndrome.

Ketamine acts at many different sites in the brain. Although its mechanisms are not fully understood, current thinking supports the actions of ketamine on the surface of certain brain cells as responsible for its rapid and prolonged effects (reduction in depressive symptoms). Ketamine is an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker. Blocking this receptor allows for the regulation of glutamate, an abundant neurotransmitter responsible for several central nervous system functions. Effects of ketamine on other brain cells lead to increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR), both elements involved in neural plasticity.
Since glutamate is so prevalent within the central nervous system, it is not surprising that investigations into origins and progression associated with certain neurological pain conditions have implicated it as a likely culprit. Receptors responding to glutamate are believed to play a role in the development and proliferation of migraine headaches, complex regional pain syndrome, and fibromyalgia. As such, ketamine therapy is a reasonable treatment consideration and has shown encouraging results.
Research has shown that repeated or prolonged exposure to stress (physical or emotional pain, fear, trauma) damages the connections between brain cells. Ketamine has been proven to help repair those damaged connections.
Simply put, Ketamine repairs and enhances neural connectivity in the brain, leading to rapid and prolonged symptom resolution. In addition to treating physical pain, it treats the emotional pain associated with traumatic experiences or memories, allowing patients to comfortably address the underlying pathology, internal and external stressors as well as feelings of being overwhelmed. For example, patients with major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, tend to have thoughts that occur in repetitive patterns (chatter, negative thoughts, perseveration, or anxious thoughts). Ketamine gives us a tool to reset the internal conversation, essentially breaking the cyclical patterns associated with relapse.

The literature for depression shows a 70% success rate. Individual clinics have seen higher rates because they have seen increased efficacy with increased dosing.

The low doses used for depression are in the empathogenic "heart-opening" psychedelic dose range. People report feelings of love, peace, compassion, forgiveness, and a touch of euphoria.

Ketamine will not be provided to individuals with schizophrenia, psychosis, or certain seizure disorders. Those taking aminophylline for asthma or COPD should not undergo ketamine infusions. If you have serious medical problems like uncontrolled high blood pressure, cardiac disease, or pulmonary problems, a clearance will be requested from your primary care physician before undergoing treatment.