Interventional Psychiatry · In-Office Infusion
IV Ketamine Therapy
Medically supervised intravenous ketamine for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Ketamine works on a different brain chemistry system than standard antidepressants, and many patients notice changes within hours to days rather than weeks — all delivered in-office and monitored by our clinical team.
Overview
What is IV ketamine?
Ketamine has been FDA-approved as an anesthetic for decades. At much lower, carefully calculated doses given slowly by IV, it has been studied extensively as a rapid-acting treatment for depression — especially depression that hasn't responded to standard medications.
Using ketamine for depression and anxiety is off-label. At Mindspring, every infusion is part of an ongoing psychiatric treatment plan, not a stand-alone procedure.
A different mechanism
- Acts on the glutamate system (NMDA receptors), not serotonin or norepinephrine
- Promotes rapid growth of new connections between brain cells
- Often works within hours to days instead of weeks
- Can help when multiple antidepressants haven't
- Dose individualized and adjusted by your psychiatrist
Candidacy
Who might benefit
Depression
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Moderate to severe major depression
- Depression with significant anxiety
Related conditions
- Anxiety disorders
- PTSD, alongside trauma-focused care
- Bipolar depression, with mood stabilizers in place
Your full plan
- Continues alongside medication and therapy
- Can be sequenced with TMS
- Reviewed at every follow-up visit
What to Expect
Your infusion visit
- Evaluation and screening. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation plus a medical review — blood pressure, heart health, medications, and substance use history.
- Check-in. Vitals and a brief symptom rating before each infusion. Plan to arrive with a driver.
- The infusion. You relax in a reclining chair while ketamine is given through a small IV over about 40–60 minutes. Many people feel a mild, dreamlike or "floating" sensation that fades soon after the infusion ends.
- Recovery and monitoring. Our team monitors heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen throughout and afterward until you're ready to go home — usually about two hours total.
- Go home with your driver. No driving or important decisions for the rest of the day. Most people resume normal activities after a night's sleep.
The Schedule
A typical course
- Induction series. Usually 6 infusions over about 2–3 weeks.
- Taper. Infusions are spaced out over the following weeks based on your response.
- Maintenance. Some patients benefit from periodic booster infusions; your psychiatrist will tailor timing to you.
- Combined strategies. Medication adjustments, therapy, or TMS can help extend the benefit.
Safety
Side effects and screening
Common, temporary effects during or shortly after an infusion include dissociation, nausea, dizziness, headache, and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. We can give medication for nausea and adjust the infusion if needed.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure or significant heart disease
- A history of psychosis or schizophrenia
- Active substance use disorder, especially ketamine or other dissociatives
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
These may make IV ketamine inappropriate; your evaluation includes a full safety review.
Compare Options
Ketamine and TMS
Both are options when medication and therapy alone haven't been enough. Your psychiatrist will help you decide which fits — or whether combining them makes sense.
| Treatment | Typical onset | Course | Time per visit | Drive yourself? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV Ketamine | Hours to days | ~6 infusions over 2–3 weeks, then taper | ~2 hours | No |
| ONE-Day TMS | Builds over weeks | 1 day | ~10–11 hours | No |
| Accelerated TMS | Often 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks | ~2–4 hours/day | Yes |
| Standard rTMS | Often weeks 2–4 | ~6 weeks + taper | ~20–40 min/day | Yes |
Mindspring Health is self-pay and does not bill insurance — see the Fees page for current pricing. We can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement, but reimbursement isn't guaranteed.
Physician-Led Care
Overseen by a board-certified psychiatrist
Dr. A. Umair Janjua, M.D., FAPA, founded Mindspring Health and oversees its interventional psychiatry program. Every interventional treatment is reviewed with you by a psychiatrist before it becomes part of your plan, and monitored and adjusted the same way the rest of your care is.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IV ketamine FDA-approved for depression?
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Using it at low doses for depression or anxiety is off-label, which we review with you before starting.
Will I be unconscious?
No. The doses used are far below anesthetic doses. You stay awake, though you may feel relaxed, detached, or dreamlike during the infusion.
How many infusions will I need?
Most patients start with an induction series of about six infusions over two to three weeks, then taper. Maintenance timing depends on your response.
How long am I at the office?
Plan on about two hours: check-in, a 40–60 minute infusion, and recovery monitoring.
Can I drive home?
No. Please arrange a driver. Avoid driving or making important decisions until the next day.
Will I be monitored?
Yes. Our clinical team monitors your vital signs and how you're feeling for the entire infusion and recovery period.
Can I keep my current medications?
Usually, yes. Some medications, like benzodiazepines or lamotrigine, can blunt ketamine's effect, so your psychiatrist may adjust timing or doses.
Can ketamine be combined with TMS?
Often, yes. Your psychiatrist will decide whether combining or sequencing the two makes sense for you.
Does insurance cover IV ketamine?
Mindspring Health is self-pay and does not bill insurance. IV ketamine for depression is generally not covered by insurers. We can provide a superbill on request.
Interventional Psychiatry
Other options we offer
Single-Day Protocol
ONE-Day TMS
A full TMS course in one clinic day.
1–2 Week Protocol
Accelerated TMS
Multiple short sessions per day over 1–2 weeks.
Standard Daily Protocol
Standard rTMS
One session a day, the most-studied schedule.
EEG-Guided Neurofeedback
PRISM for PTSD
Medication-free, FDA-cleared PTSD therapy.
Implantable Neuromodulation
VNS Therapy
Long-term option for treatment-resistant depression.
Find out if you're a candidate
Every interventional treatment at Mindspring Health starts with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by a board-certified psychiatrist.