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Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) affects 2.8 million people in the US, nearly one-third of those who suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD). That’s about the size of the Baltimore area. And this represents a healthcare burden on the economy of $43.8 billion.
But more than the statistics, the degree of human suffering is incalculable. Major depression is a very serious illness. For those with the treatment-resistant type, many have lost hope they will ever feel better.
But there is hope. In the past decade, research and clinical trials have been conducted on an intranasal form of ketamine called esketamine (Spravato). It has been FDA-approved for TRD, where at least two different oral antidepressants have been tried in the current episode without sufficient improvement, as well as for those with MDD and acute suicidal ideation or behavior.
Ketamine itself has been shown to be effective in off-label uses for depression, chronic pain, mental health, and substance abuse disorders. At Corner Canyon Health Centers, if a client is clinically and medically approved, we offer a 6-week course of Ketamine shots.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is an injectable, short-acting anesthetic for use in humans and animals.
Ketamine, originally discovered for use as an anesthetic, is increasingly used in lower doses for TRD and other conditions. It promotes changes in synapses that help neurons communicate with one another. Unlike the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, serotonin receptors are not thought to be involved.
Instead, the dominant theory is that ketamine blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors of the neurotransmitter glutamate, thereby strengthening the neural connections weakened during depression.
This happens through a temporary and targeted blockade of the NMDA receptor on certain neurons which normally act as “brakes” on the brain’s excitatory system.
By blocking their NMDA receptors, and putting these “brakes” on hold, ketamine temporarily inhibits these inhibitory neurons and releases the “accelerator” (glutamate). This then leads to the surge in brain activity that is key for ketamine’s antidepressant effects.
So, according to this theory, the excitation of synapses, and the plasticity of neurons resulting from ketamine, plays a central role in the medication’s rapid and effective effectiveness in chronic mental health conditions, including depression, substance use disorders, and chronic pain.
Nonetheless, reduction in symptoms is relatively short-lived, typically lasting 4–7 days. As a result, repeated administrations are required to maintain positive effects.
However, some researchers have suggested that the glutamate surge theory may not correctly explain ketamine’s robust and sustained antidepressant effects. Further research is still needed and is underway.
Psychotherapy before, during or after ketamine sessions is recommended to better assist the healing effects of ketamine. It has been found to be more effective in treating mental health conditions than psychotherapy and medication alone.
Ketamine also appears to improve the capacity to respond to future interventions, such as therapy or neuromodulation. Some research scientists say the brain is more prepared to adapt following ketamine, so combining ketamine with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and other forms of psychotherapy can be particularly effective when the brain is more receptive to forming new, healthier neural pathways.
Rapid reduction of suicidal ideation with ketamine has been reported. Ketamine-enhanced psychotherapy has been trialed as a treatment for multiple conditions, including:
The short-term success rates of ketamine treatment are robust and well-documented at around 70% for a response, making it one of the most effective interventions for TRD. Long-term success requires a strategic maintenance plan, often involving further ketamine doses and psychotherapy.
A licensed medical provider must screen and approve ketamine treatment. The criteria for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy varies from Eskatimine.
Based on the FDA label:
While more flexible, reputable clinics follow similar, stringent criteria:
Even if a patient meets the above criteria, they may not be a candidate if they have certain conditions, including:
Informed Consent must be agreed, in which the medical provider clearly explains:
Explanation of what ketamine therapy can and cannot do.
Fast for several hours before the treatment. Wear comfortable clothing. Arrange for a calm, stress-free environment after treatment.
In a controlled clinical setting, ketamine is given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM). The patient sits or lies on a comfortable bed. The infusion typically lasts 40 to 60 minutes. Patients may experience dissociative effects, feeling detached from their surroundings and themselves.
Patients might feel various sensations, such as floating or slight dizziness, which are normal responses to ketamine.
Medical staff ensure the safety and comfort of patients.
During the infusion, patients often experience intense emotions or thoughts. A therapist or healthcare provider offers support and reassurance to help patients through their experiences.
Immediate Effects: The hours following the infusion are crucial for recovery. Patients might feel tired or slightly disoriented, which typically diminishes within a few hours.
A psychotherapist may help with the interpretations of the experience, helping you make sense of it and be valuable to you. Some report immediate improvements in mood or a reduction in depressive symptoms. For others, these changes develop over the subsequent days. The therapy will help change patterns of thinking and behavior that are of concern and can be causing difficulty.
Clients will typically feel relaxed and calm after treatment. It’s advised to take it easy for the rest of the day. Clients may experience positive changes in personality, mood, and cognition during treatment, in the time afterwards, and in the week that follows. The ketamine experience is designed to enable an individual’s healing wisdom to be accessed.
Ketamine is generally safe if administered under medical supervision. Its common side effects are often short-lived, occurring during or shortly after the infusion or nasal spray treatment. A comprehensive study of the effects of both ketamine and esketamine is summarized here:
More serious safety considerations that make ketamine a high-risk, controlled substance requiring careful medical supervision include:
At Corner Canyon Health Centers, if a client is clinically and medically approved, we offer a 6-week course of Ketamine shots, administered intramuscularly in a quiet private room and supervised by medical personnel, followed by a therapy session with the primary therapist.
Subsequent group and individual therapy sessions throughout the following week capitalize on the increased neuroplasticity of the brain to achieve greater therapeutic gains than otherwise possible.
Our clients have described responses to ketamine like “I felt like I had much more access to my emotions, and a greater ability to remember and process my experiences, in combination with my emotions, and ended up feeling lighter and happier”.
Our experience has been that clients typically make faster progress in therapy, and do deeper work than they are capable of prior to beginning ketamine. We find that ketamine-assisted therapy accelerates the therapy process in addition to giving clients relief and hope.
We also offer a range of therapies and trauma-informed approaches to assist our clients in either inpatient residential treatment or our intensive outpatient program.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is an injectable, short-acting anesthetic for use in humans and animals.
Psychotherapy before, during, or after ketamine sessions is recommended to better assist the healing effects of ketamine. It has been found to be more effective in treating mental health conditions than psychotherapy and medication alone.
Yes. The short-term success rates of ketamine treatment are around 70%., This makes it one of the most effective interventions for TRD.
Avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the infusion. Wear comfortable clothing and arrange for a calm, stress-free environment post-treatment.
Yes, ketamine is legal. However, it is a Schedule III controlled substance in the US, meaning it has a recognized medical use but also a potential for abuse and dependence.
FDA-approved Esketamine (Spravato®) is approved for adults 18+
Off-Label IV Ketamine for Depression is intended primarily for adults 18+.
Insurance coverage for ketamine treatments varies. Esketamine (Spravato) is more likely to be covered since it has FDA approval. Ketamine is not currently FDA-approved for depression. Insurance companies classify its use for mental health as “experimental” or “investigational,” which are common reasons for denial of coverage. As such it is typically an out-of-pocket investment. Get in touch with our admissions team today.
Yes, uncontrolled, recreational use of ketamine does get you high. This is why it’s a controlled substance by the FDA. This dissociative and euphoric effect is the reason for its potential for abuse, and it is also a managed side effect during its controlled, therapeutic use for treating depression.
If you or a loved one is looking for a compassionate space to address mental health issues, especially treatment-resistant depression, reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon Health Centers to discuss medically supervised ketamine treatment.
My experience at Corner Canyon to put it simply, was life changing. The program gave me a structure to set a solid foundation for my life outside of treatment. The people that are involved with Corner Canyon are amazing. From the staff, to the clients, these people quickly began to feel like family. This place felt like home to me. I truly was cared for in a way that I had never been before. I can honestly say that in the 62 days I was there I didn’t have a single bad day, and that to me speaks volumes. I’m grateful to have had the experience that I did. To anyone who is looking for help – I would heavily recommend going to Corner Canyon.
I arrived at Corner Canyon during the worst depressive episode of my life. I had no hope and felt disconnected from everything. I’m a therapist, and I had been doing all the “right” things to care for myself. But sometimes self-care is simply not enough.
When I came to Corner Canyon I was lost. I was 31 years old, struggling with addiction issues and my own mental health, and didn’t know which way to turn. I was very fortunate to land here. Through the help of some people who loved and cared about me, they got me in the doors of this wonderful program.
Corner Canyon has put together an excellent residential program. I need a comprehensive program that addressed my health and mental health with cutting edge treatment — they exceeded my expectations. With the continuum of health, mental health, and wellness services offered – they truly individualized my treatment plan. They have an excellent, well-trained staff that genuinely care. I wish I had found them 5, 10 years ago it would have saved me a lot of heart ache. I feel ALOT better than I have felt in sometime and as I continue to take care of myself, I am confident I will be an even better version of myself. Michelle Feb-Mar 2023
So it doesn’t sound so cliche I won’t say this place saved my life. But I will say this place saved my future!! There are no descriptive words that exist that hold enough volume to describe how extraordinarily phenomenal this place is! They get it, they listen! It kind of feels like the beginning of an awesome horror movie when you first get there cause everyone is so nice, kind, and caring you’re waiting for the ball to drop. Then you realize they are truly that kind & caring! (I have severe trust issues) I never thought I could ever get better so there was no point in going for help because I have been through so much trauma that there wasn’t any facility out there that could handle the magnitude and complex trauma I have endured. However I was wrong! The mentors, I seriously will never be able to thank them enough for listening to my emotional babble some days & they never made me feel like they needed to run off & do the other work they had to do or nothing! Liz & Dom the two on the front line that you only really interact with when you’re checking in. They deserve a lot of recognition & praise that I don’t think they get very often! The fact I struggle with anxiety & answering my phone most days fills me with dread & fear even though I’m the one who emailed the treatment center that was on my caller ID I still froze & couldn’t answer & felt dumb for even reaching out for help. Then the debilitating depression & shame would set in cause I didn’t pick up the phone would set in & I would get so angry at myself! It was a vicious cycle! Up until the day Liz text me & she never left me alone (haha I’m forever grateful for that) it was like chatting with a new friend. After her portion of the admissions process was done I was passed off to Dom, who again never left me alone! The ease & friendly chatting made it easier to commit to checking in. And I did it, I went to Corner Canyon & checked in & it was by far the best thing I’ve ever done for myself! The first week I was there Adam who is a mentor there (I won’t elaborate but…) did something for me that I’ve never had anyone do for me, that was thought of me. I always take care of everyone in my life & make sure they have what they need & they’re okay before myself. Usually not leaving time for myself. But for the first time in 46 years someone thought of me first. It was such a small gesture, but will forever make a monumental impact in my life. That day sealed my fate! I could stay at Corner Canyon, I could complete the program! They really did care! I have so much more to say about every single person there! But this is supposed to be a review, not a novel of my life so I will end this by saying, what you got to lose?! I can 100% guarantee that your worst day at Corner Canyon will still be 10 times easier than your worst day before you got there!
Wow, Corner Canyon Health Centers truly changed my life. I truly entered with not a thought of wanting to live, and I left today and I have SO many reasons now. The staff goes out of their way to not only connect with you, but care for you. They are amazing at taking feedback and truly care about the experience their clients have. You truly do become a family, the community I met while in CCHC will always be with me. I know I made the right choice coming to CCHC they truly saved my life in more ways than one. I couldn’t thank them properly even if I tried. CCHC is the right next step, I promise you will not regret it.
Unfortunately after a few days my mom went south quickly and I had to leave. AWESOME STAFF AND FACILITY, area is beautiful. Hard to leave. Highly recommend this facility. From Liz to the therapists to the medical and house staff! 11/10
Corner Canyon helped changed my trajectory in life. I was headed for disaster . Corner Caynon helped me see that I had more potential than I could ever see for myself. Chris assisted me with Ketamine assisted therapy and he helped me transorm my mindset from negative to positive. I’m so grateful for all Corner Canyon for helping me find myself again!
I spent 30 days at corner canyon and overall had a great experience. There was an amazing group of clients and we all got so close which was really added to my experience. Some highlights were Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, we would do a really engaging activity. I always looked forward to getting out of the house and doing the activities.
