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Ketamine Treatment for Severe Depression
Ketamine Treatment for Severe Depression at ACE Medical in Sunnyvale, CA
Living with severe depression can feel like you’re stuck under a heavy weight that just won’t let up. If you live in Sunnyvale, CA or the greater Santa Clara County / Silicon Valley area, you may have already tried multiple antidepressants, therapy, and lifestyle changes without meaningful relief.
In recent years, ketamine and ketamine-derived treatments have emerged as a promising option for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and suicidal thoughts. Research shows that ketamine can reduce symptoms—and even suicidal ideation—within hours to days for many patients when used carefully in a medical setting. [1,3]
At ACE Medical, our addiction medicine practice located in Sunnyvale, CA, offers ketamine treatment in a way that is evidence-based, safety-focused, and mindful of addiction risks, so you can explore this option with support, structure, and compassionate care.
What is ketamine treatment for severe depression?
Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used safely for decades. At much lower doses, it acts as a fast-acting antidepressant for people with severe or treatment-resistant depression [1].
In mental health care, ketamine is administered in sub-anesthetic doses, typically by IV infusion or as an FDA-approved nasal spray. Patients remain awake but monitored, and many describe the experience as mildly dissociative or dreamlike [1].
Because ketamine carries misuse potential, it should always be administered under medical supervision—something our addiction medicine team is uniquely qualified to manage [7].
Who might benefit from ketamine treatment?
Ketamine treatment may help adults who:
-Have major depressive disorder or related conditions
-Have tried multiple antidepressants without sufficient improvement (treatment-resistant depression) [9]
-Experience severe symptoms affecting functioning
-Have suicidal thoughts that haven’t responded to standard care [3]
At ACE Medical, every patient receives a thorough pre-treatment evaluation that includes:
-Mental health history
-Medication and treatment history
-Medical screening
-Substance use assessment
-Safety evaluation
This helps us ensure ketamine is not only effective—but also safe and appropriate for your individual needs, or to assess whether another approach would be safer or more effective.
How does ketamine work in the brain for depression?
Ketamine differs from traditional antidepressants because it primarily affects the glutamate system, not serotonin or dopamine.
Specifically, ketamine:
-Blocks NMDA receptors
-Increases glutamate release
-Activates AMPA receptors
-Triggers mTOR signaling, which helps regenerate connections between brain cells [4,5,6]
Depression is associated with loss of synaptic connections in mood-regulating areas. Ketamine appears to rapidly restore these connections, improving mood and cognitive flexibility [4,6].
How effective is ketamine for treatment-resistant depression?
Multiple clinical trials show ketamine can produce rapid and significant symptom relief in patients who haven’t responded to other medications [1,3,10].
Key research findings:
-One ketamine infusion can reduce symptoms within hours, with effects lasting days to a week [1,3]
-Response rates range from 50–70% in treatment-resistant patients [10]
-Ketamine rapidly reduces suicidal thoughts, often within 24 hours [3]
-Repeated treatments (e.g., twice weekly for 2–4 weeks) may extend and strengthen improvement [1]
Ketamine is not a cure, but for many patients, it provides a powerful window of relief that allows other treatments—therapy, medication adjustments, lifestyle changes—to work more effectively.
How is ketamine different from antidepressants and ECT?
Key differences:
-Speed: Traditional antidepressants take 4–6 weeks; ketamine may work within hours [1]
-Mechanism: Traditional medications affect monoamines; ketamine affects glutamate and synaptic repair [4,5]
-ECT comparison: A major clinical trial found ketamine was non-inferior to ECT for treatment-resistant depression without psychosis [10]
Ketamine is a powerful option but works best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
How does ketamine fit into a broader depression treatment plan?
Ketamine is most effective when combined with:
-Ongoing psychotherapy [6]
-Medication management
-Sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle improvements
-Recovery support if substance use is involved
Our goal is not just rapid improvement—but sustained recovery.
When should I consider talking to a specialist for severe depression?
Reach out to ACE Medical if you:
-Have severe depression unresponsive to multiple treatments
-Are struggling with suicidal thoughts
-Need faster relief than standard treatments can provide
-Want an approach that balances symptom relief with addiction-aware safety
A consultation wit ACE Medical doesn’t commit you to treatment, it simply helps you make an informed decision.
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. Yavi M, Zohar J. Ketamine treatment for depression: a review. Front Psychiatry. 2022.
2. Zanos P, et al. Mechanisms of ketamine action as an antidepressant. Pharmacol Rev. 2018.
3. Zolghadriha A, et al. Rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. BMC Psychiatry. 2024.
4. Aleksandrova LR, et al. Antidepressant effects of ketamine and AMPA receptor involvement. Front Neurosci. 2017.
5. Lullau APM, et al. Antidepressant mechanisms of ketamine: a review. Front Neurosci. 2023.
6. Feder A, et al. Therapy-enhanced outcomes following ketamine treatment. Front Psychiatry.
7. Beerten SG, et al. Ketamine misuse: an update for primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2023.
8. Anderson DJ, et al. Ketamine-induced cystitis: a comprehensive review. Curr Urol Rep. 2022.
9. FDA. Spravato (esketamine) prescribing information. Updated guidance.
10. Anand A, et al. Ketamine vs. ECT for nonpsychotic treatment-resistant major depression (ELEKT-D trial). N Engl J Med. 2023.
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