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Ketamine Treatment for Generalized Anxiety
Ketamine Treatment for Generalized Anxiety at ACE Medical in Sunnyvale, CA
Feeling anxious all the time can make it hard to enjoy anything—your relationships, your work, even quiet moments at home. If you live in Sunnyvale, CA or nearby communities like Mountain View, Cupertino, or Santa Clara, constant worry and tension might already feel like your “normal.”
At ACE Medical, an addiction medicine practice based in Sunnyvale, we often meet patients who say things like:
“My mind never shuts off.”
“Even when nothing is wrong, I feel on edge.”
“I’ve tried medications and therapy, but the anxiety always comes back.”
This kind of chronic, excessive worry is often called generalized anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). While standard treatments help many people, some continue to struggle despite multiple medications and therapy.
In recent years, ketamine-based treatments have emerged as a potential option for people whose anxiety symptoms remain severe and disabling despite conventional care. Early studies suggest ketamine can reduce anxiety symptoms quickly in some individuals with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, including GAD.[1–5,7,12]
At ACE Medical, we offer ketamine treatment in a way that is:
-Evidence-informed (based on what current research actually shows)
-Safety-focused (especially around addiction risk)
-Patient-centered (aimed at helping you feel calmer and more in control)
What is generalized anxiety, and how does it feel day to day?
Generalized anxiety is more than just being “stressed” or “a worrier.” People with generalized anxiety often experience:
-Persistent worry about many different areas of life (health, money, work, family)
-Physical symptoms like muscle tension, jaw clenching, upset stomach, or sleep problems
-Difficulty concentrating because the mind is always scanning for “what could go wrong”
-Feeling on edge, restless, or easily fatigued
-Trouble relaxing, even in safe, familiar situations
For many, generalized anxiety is chronic—lasting months or years. Standard treatments usually include:
-Therapy (often CBT or related approaches)
-Medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs
-Lifestyle strategies (sleep, exercise, mindfulness, stress reduction)
These help many people. But some continue to have severe, treatment-resistant anxiety, which is where off-label options like ketamine may be discussed.
What is ketamine treatment for generalized anxiety?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used safely in operating rooms and emergency departments for decades. At much lower doses than those used for surgery, ketamine has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in some patients—often within hours.[4–6,11]
For generalized anxiety, ketamine is used off-label, meaning:
The drug itself is FDA-approved (for anesthesia, and in esketamine form for treatment-resistant depression), but it is not specifically FDA-approved for anxiety disorders, including GAD.[8,9]
At ACE Medical in Sunnyvale, ketamine treatment for generalized anxiety typically involves:
Sub-anesthetic doses (you remain awake and responsive)
Administration in a medical suite, not at home
Structured protocols based on current evidence and safety guidelines[7,8,10]
For our patients, ketamine is never positioned as a “quick fix” or DIY solution, but as a carefully monitored option when standard treatments have not been enough.
How might ketamine help with generalized anxiety symptoms?
Traditional anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications often work on serotonin, norepinephrine, or GABA. They can take several weeks to begin working.
Ketamine is different. It primarily affects the glutamate system, which is deeply involved in mood, learning, and stress responses. Research suggests ketamine:
-Blocks NMDA receptors, changing glutamate signaling
-Increases AMPA receptor activation
-Triggers mTOR and related pathways, which help the brain regrow and strengthen synaptic connections[4,6]
In practical terms, this may:
-Interrupt rigid anxiety loops (the same worries repeating on a loop)
-Increase psychological flexibility, making it easier to see situations from new perspectives
-Reduce the overall “volume” of physical and emotional anxiety for some people[3–5,11]
Early studies and systematic reviews suggest that ketamine can reduce anxiety symptoms in people with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, including GAD, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.[1–3,8]
How strong is the evidence for ketamine in generalized anxiety?
The evidence for ketamine in generalized anxiety, though early, is very promising. Most research involves small trials, open-label studies, or broader “anxiety spectrum” samples.
What current research suggests:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found that acute ketamine appears broadly effective across treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, including GAD and social anxiety.[1,3]
A 2022 systematic review on refractory anxiety reported that subcutaneous and IV ketamine produced meaningful reductions in anxiety scores, especially with repeated dosing.[2,8]
A 2023 study in adults with mood disorders found ketamine infusions significantly reduced both depression and anxiety symptoms, with large effect sizes.[4]
Early work in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for GAD points to potential benefits, but is still experimental and under active investigation.[12]
Because of this, at ACE Medical we frame ketamine for generalized anxiety as an emerging, off-label option for people whose anxiety remains severe despite standard treatments, not a guaranteed solution.
How does ketamine fit into a long-term anxiety treatment plan?
Even when ketamine works very well, it is not a stand-alone cure for generalized anxiety. The best outcomes typically happen when ketamine is part of a comprehensive treatment plan, including:
-Ongoing therapy (to build coping skills, challenge anxious thinking, and process stress or trauma)
-Medication management, adjusting or continuing SSRIs/SNRIs or other treatments as needed
-Lifestyle support (sleep, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, social connection)
-Addiction care, if substance use is also part of the picture
At ACE Medical, our goal is not just to lower your anxiety scores—it’s to help you build a life in Sunnyvale and beyond that feels calmer, more connected, and more manageable over time.
When should I talk to ACE Medical about ketamine for generalized anxiety?
You might consider a consultation with ACE Medical if:
-You have generalized anxiety that remains severe despite multiple standard treatments
-Anxiety is significantly impacting your work, relationships, or ability to function day to day
-You are open to an off-label, monitored treatment option and understand its risks and limits
-You prefer care in a clinic that understands both anxiety and addiction
A consultation does not commit you to ketamine treatment. It’s simply a chance to:
-Review your history with an experienced clinician
-Ask questions about risks, benefits, and alternatives
-Decide together whether ketamine makes sense for you right now
Take the First Step Toward Better Health
Whether you're seeking Ketamine treatment for depression, or other mental health or addiction challenges, let ACE Medical be your trusted partner in care.
Experience care that’s personal, proactive, and centered around you.
References:
1. Whittaker E, Bendall S, Krystal JH, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of ketamine for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders. 2021.
2. Tully JL, et al. Ketamine treatment for refractory anxiety: a systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022.
3. Hartland H, et al. A transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of ketamine for anxiety symptoms. 2023.
4. Hietamies TM, et al. The effects of ketamine on symptoms of depression and anxiety in clinical practice. J Affect Disord. 2023.
5. Marchi M, et al. The effect of ketamine on cognition, anxiety, and social functioning in adults with affective disorders. Front Neurosci. 2022.
6. Krystal JH, et al. Ketamine and rapid antidepressant action: new treatments for mood disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2024.
7. Hughes B, et al. Exploring the therapeutic potential of ketamine and related agents in mood and anxiety disorders. 2025.
8. Pai SM, Gries J-M. Off-label use of ketamine: a challenging drug treatment delivery model. J Clin Pharmacol. 2022.
9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns patients and health care providers about potential risks associated with compounded ketamine products for psychiatric disorders. 2023.
10. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Ketamine for Mental Health Should Only Be Provided by Trained Professionals. 2025.
11. Brendle M, et al. Safety and effectiveness of intranasal esketamine for treatment-resistant depression and associated anxiety. Clin Econ Outcomes Res. 2022.
12. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder: preliminary findings. medRxiv preprint. 2025.
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