Ketamine Therapy

Treatment for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and Chronic Pain in Chicago, IL

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic originally developed for use in the operating room, now repurposed to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Unlike traditional treatments, ketamine offers rapid relief for individuals who have not responded to other therapies. This breakthrough treatment is gaining recognition for its ability to quickly improve symptoms.

How Ketamine Works

Ketamine targets the NMDA receptor in the brain, which regulates glutamate, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood and cognition. By boosting glutamate levels, ketamine helps rebuild synaptic connections damaged by chronic stress or trauma. Here's how it works:

Restores neural pathways

Repairs damaged connections between brain cells and can also help to grow new ones.

Improves mood regulation

Enhances the brain's ability to regulate emotions.

Rapid action

Provides relief from symptoms within hours or days, much faster than traditional antidepressants.

Ruminations and suicidal thoughts

Ketamine can also help with ruminations and suicidal thoughts by its effect on the Default Mode Network in the brain.

Benefits of Ketamine for Mood Disorders

Ketamine has been proven effective in treating a wide range of mood disorders, particularly in cases where conventional treatments have failed. Some of the key benefits include:

Depression

  • Rapid reduction of depressive symptoms: Patients often feel mood improvements within hours.

  • Addresses treatment-resistant depression: Offers a solution for those who have not found relief with traditional therapies.

  • Improved cognitive function: Enhances mental clarity and cognitive processing alongside mood improvement.

Anxiety

  • Quick anxiety relief: Patients experience a significant reduction in anxiety within a short period.

  • Improved emotional regulation: Helps regulate emotions and decreases overwhelming anxious thoughts.

  • Long-term stabilization: With ongoing sessions, patients achieve lasting anxiety reduction.

PTSD

  • Reduces PTSD symptoms: Ketamine can minimize flashbacks, nightmares, and other PTSD-related symptoms.

  • Decreases emotional reactivity: Patients experience less emotional distress in response to triggering stimuli.

  • Faster recovery from trauma-related symptoms: Helps patients process traumatic events more effectively by changing the way we view our trauma.

Benefits of Ketamine for Chronic Pain

Ketamine therapy offers substantial benefits for managing chronic pain conditions that are otherwise difficult to treat, including:

  • Long-term pain relief: For conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and fibromyalgia, ketamine provides extended pain relief.

  • Improved mobility: Reduced pain levels allow patients to regain physical function and mobility.

  • Opioid-sparing effect: Reduces the need for opioid medications, which can have severe long-term side effects.

Eligibility and Evaluation Process for Ketamine Treatment


Our comprehensive evaluation process ensures that ketamine is safe and suitable for your specific condition. Here’s what to expect:

  • We assess your past treatments and current health.

  • Screening for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain.

  • Customized therapy based on your individual needs.

  • Discuss your goals and what you hope to achieve from ketamine treatment. Schedule your consultation here.

What to Expect During Treatment 


Ketamine therapy is typically administered via IV infusion in a controlled medical environment. Sessions vary based on your treatment goals:

  • Duration: Infusions last between 40 minutes - 4 hours, depending on the condition being treated.

  • Frequency: Initial treatments may occur multiple times per week, followed by maintenance infusions.

  • Monitoring: You'll be closely monitored by our trained staff to ensure safety and comfort.

The Infusion Experience

  • Pre-treatment consultation: Address any concerns and set expectations.

  • Comfortable setting: Relax in a calm, safe environment during your infusion.

  • Aftercare: Post-treatment observation to ensure you feel well before leaving.

Success Stories and Testimonials


Many patients have found transformative results through ketamine therapy. Common feedback includes:

  • Rapid relief from severe depression.

  • Significant pain reduction.

  • Improved overall mood and quality of life.

Read more of our testimonials here with real-life success stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on how ketamine works, potential side effects, and treatment expectations, check out our FAQs page.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

An initial consultation is the first step in determining if our treatment options are the right fit for you or your loved one. Tell us about who is seeking or referring treatment in our HIPAA compliant form, and one of our trained professionals will reach out to you within the next 24 hours.