Ketamine Infusion Therapy: What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment

What Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

Ketamine has been used in medicine as an anesthetic for decades. In lower, carefully controlled doses, clinicians may also use IV ketamine off-label for certain mental health conditions, particularly treatment-resistant depression. “Off-label” means a licensed clinician is prescribing an approved medication for a use that is not included in the medication’s FDA-approved labeling.

Unlike a pill that must pass through the digestive system, a ketamine infusion delivers medication directly into the bloodstream. This allows the clinical team to control the dose and monitor the patient throughout the session.

IV ketamine is not the same as Spravato, the brand name for esketamine nasal spray. Spravato is a related medication with FDA approval for specific depressive disorders and its own treatment and monitoring requirements. A consultation can help determine which option may be more appropriate.

How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?

Most traditional antidepressants primarily act on serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine pathways. Ketamine works differently. It affects the brain’s glutamate system, including N-methyl-D-aspartate, or NMDA, receptors.

Researchers believe this activity may support communication between brain cells and processes involved in neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections. The exact antidepressant mechanism is still being studied, but research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health has helped establish ketamine as an important area of investigation for rapid-acting depression treatment.



Some patients notice changes in depressive symptoms relatively quickly compared with traditional antidepressants. Response times and outcomes vary, however, and not everyone experiences the same degree or duration of improvement. Ketamine therapy should be viewed as one potential part of a personalized treatment plan rather than a guaranteed cure.

Who May Be Considered for a Ketamine Infusion?

IV ketamine is often discussed with adults who continue to experience significant symptoms after trying standard treatments. A person may be considered for ketamine therapy when depression has not responded adequately to multiple antidepressant trials, psychotherapy, or a combination of approaches.

At The Albany Clinic, ketamine infusion therapy may be evaluated for patients with treatment-resistant depression and certain patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. A diagnosis alone does not automatically make someone a candidate. The clinical team must consider the person’s medical history, psychiatric history, current medications, substance use history, blood pressure, treatment goals, and other safety factors.



Ketamine may not be appropriate for every patient. The consultation is the right time to discuss previous treatment responses, medical conditions, pregnancy, medications, and any history of psychosis, mania, or substance misuse.

The Ketamine Infusion Process, Step by Step

1. Consultation and Clinical Screening

The process starts with a consultation and pre-procedure evaluation. The clinical team reviews your symptoms, diagnoses, medication history, previous treatments, and relevant medical conditions. You may also be asked to coordinate with your psychiatrist, therapist, primary care clinician, or another treating provider.



This step helps answer two questions: Is ketamine reasonably appropriate for your situation, and can it be administered safely in an outpatient setting? If treatment is recommended, the clinic explains the proposed plan, possible benefits, limitations, side effects, and alternatives before scheduling an infusion.

2. Preparing for Your Appointment

The clinic will give you preparation instructions based on your health and treatment plan. Follow those directions closely, including guidance about food, drinks, and medications before the appointment. Do not stop a prescription medication unless the prescribing clinician or ketamine provider tells you to do so.

Plan transportation in advance. Ketamine may temporarily affect alertness, coordination, judgment, and perception, so you will need a responsible adult to drive you home. You should not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions for the rest of the treatment day.



Wear comfortable clothing and allow enough time for the infusion and post-treatment observation. Bringing an updated medication list can also help the team confirm that your records are accurate.

3. Arrival and Pre-Infusion Checks

When you arrive at the ketamine clinic, staff will review how you are feeling and complete safety checks. These may include measuring blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level, and other vital signs.

A team member places a small IV catheter into a vein, usually in the arm or hand. The catheter allows the medication to be delivered gradually and gives the team precise control over the infusion. You remain awake during treatment. General anesthesia is not required.

4. During the Ketamine Infusion

A ketamine infusion for mental health treatment commonly lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, although the exact timing depends on the physician’s plan and the patient’s response. You will rest in a comfortable treatment space while the medication is administered.

During the infusion, some patients feel relaxed, light, detached from their surroundings, or more aware of sounds and visual sensations. Others describe temporary changes in time, perception, or thought patterns. These effects are sometimes called dissociation. Experiences vary, and the clinical team remains available to provide reassurance and respond to discomfort.



Medical staff monitor vital signs and your overall response throughout the session. If needed, the provider can adjust or stop the infusion and address side effects.

5. Observation After Treatment

The appointment does not end as soon as the infusion stops. You will remain at the clinic while the immediate effects wear off and the team confirms that you are ready to leave safely.

You may feel tired, mildly dizzy, unsteady, nauseated, or mentally “foggy” for a period after treatment. These effects are generally temporary, but they are an important reason to arrange a ride home and keep the remainder of the day low-key.



Before discharge, the team provides aftercare instructions and explains when to call the clinic or seek urgent medical attention.

6. Follow-Up and Ongoing Care

Ketamine therapy is rarely evaluated on a single moment during the infusion. Follow-up focuses on changes in symptoms, daily functioning, side effects, and how long any improvement lasts.

Some patients receive a series of infusions followed by maintenance treatment, while others need a different approach. The number and timing of sessions are individualized. Your provider may also recommend continuing psychotherapy, medication management, sleep support, exercise, or other parts of your existing care plan.

What Does a Ketamine Infusion Feel Like?

There is no universal ketamine experience. One person may feel deeply relaxed, while another may notice stronger changes in perception. Some patients find the experience neutral or pleasant, and others may feel briefly anxious or disoriented.

Commonly described sensations include:

• A floating or light feeling
• Temporary detachment from the body or surroundings
• Changes in the perception of time, sound, or color
• Dizziness, sleepiness, or mild nausea
• A calm, reflective, or dreamlike state

Tell our medical team what you are experiencing. Open communication helps staff support your comfort and recognize when an adjustment may be needed.

Possible Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Ketamine can affect blood pressure, heart rate, coordination, awareness, and perception. Possible short-term side effects include nausea, dizziness, sedation, headache, anxiety, dissociation, and temporary increases in blood pressure or heart rate.

More serious complications are less common but possible. Careful screening, controlled dosing, direct observation, and post-treatment monitoring are central to safer treatment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has specifically warned about risks associated with compounded ketamine products used for psychiatric conditions, particularly when taken at home without onsite monitoring. The FDA also notes that ketamine itself is not approved to treat psychiatric disorders. These facts make it important to understand the difference between medically supervised, in-clinic IV treatment and unsupervised or lightly supervised at-home products.



Patients should discuss the potential for misuse, tolerance, urinary symptoms, and other risks with their provider, especially when considering repeated or long-term treatment.

How Many Ketamine Infusions Will I Need?

There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. The right number of ketamine infusions depends on the condition being treated, symptom severity, response to early sessions, side effects, and the clinician’s judgment.

Your provider may recommend an initial series and then reassess. If symptoms improve, maintenance sessions may be considered. If the treatment is not helping or side effects outweigh the benefits, the plan may be changed or discontinued.



A reputable ketamine clinic should explain how progress will be measured and should avoid guaranteeing a specific outcome.

IV ketamine and Spravato both affect glutamate-related pathways, but they are not interchangeable.

IV ketamine is delivered through a vein, allowing the physician to control the rate and dose during the session. Its psychiatric use is off-label. Spravato contains esketamine and is administered as a nasal spray under a specific FDA-regulated safety program. It is approved for certain adults with depressive disorders who meet eligibility requirements.



Insurance coverage can also differ. IV ketamine for mental health conditions is frequently self-pay, while Spravato may be covered for qualifying patients. The Albany Clinic’s costs and financing information can help you understand current payment considerations before treatment.

Choosing a Ketamine Clinic in Carbondale, IL

The setting and clinical process matter. When comparing ketamine clinics, look for a provider that completes a thorough evaluation, discusses alternatives, monitors patients throughout treatment, gives clear aftercare instructions, and coordinates with existing mental health professionals when appropriate.

The Albany Clinic provides medically supervised ketamine infusion therapy in Carbondale for patients from across Southern Illinois. The Carbondale facility is designed to offer a calm treatment environment with clinical monitoring and individualized follow-up.



A consultation is an opportunity to ask direct questions about the physician’s experience, screening criteria, emergency protocols, treatment schedule, costs, and how the clinic evaluates progress.

Explore Ketamine Therapy at The Albany Clinic