For decades, traditional antidepressants have been the standard treatment for depression and anxiety. While these medications help many, they often take weeks to work—and some people don’t respond at all. That’s where ketamine, an FDA-approved medication originally used in anesthesia, has opened a new door of hope. At Flow Wellness, we’ve seen how this innovative treatment can bring real relief to patients living with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
How Ketamine Works Differently
Most antidepressants work by adjusting levels of serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine in the brain. These changes can be effective but usually take weeks to months to fully develop.
Ketamine, on the other hand, works in a unique way:
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Targets NMDA Receptors: Ketamine blocks a receptor in the brain called the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This action leads to an increase in glutamate, the most abundant neurotransmitter in your brain.
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Boosts Brain Plasticity: Glutamate helps form new neural connections. By stimulating this pathway, ketamine encourages your brain to “rewire” itself—making it easier to break free from rigid thought patterns of depression or anxiety.
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Acts Rapidly: Unlike traditional medications, ketamine can begin improving mood and reducing suicidal thoughts within hours to days.
What the Research Shows
Multiple clinical studies have confirmed ketamine’s effectiveness:
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Rapid Relief: In many patients with treatment-resistant depression, ketamine significantly reduces symptoms within 24 hours.
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Sustained Benefits: A series of treatments, combined with ongoing wellness practices, can help extend the relief.
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Anxiety & PTSD: Research also supports ketamine’s benefit in reducing anxiety symptoms and traumatic stress, giving patients more breathing room to heal.
These findings have transformed how clinicians approach depression that hasn’t improved with traditional therapy.
Enhancing the Benefits
While ketamine itself is powerful, pairing it with other supportive practices can maximize its impact:
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Therapy & Counseling: Many patients find that ketamine makes it easier to engage in talk therapy by reducing emotional barriers.
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Mindfulness & Journaling: Recording thoughts and feelings after a session can deepen insights and support long-term growth.
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Healthy Lifestyle: Sleep, nutrition, and movement all play a role in maintaining the brain’s new connections.
Flow Wellness: Patient Safety First
At Flow Wellness, patient safety is our top priority. Every ketamine session is:
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Administered in a comfortable, monitored environment
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Supervised by experienced medical providers with years of infusion expertise
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Supported with education and follow-up care to help patients integrate their experience
A New Path Forward
Depression and anxiety can make life feel like it’s standing still. Ketamine offers something different: the possibility of relief within days—not weeks. For many, it has meant the first step toward reclaiming joy, connection, and purpose.
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, anxiety, or PTSD, Flow Wellness is here to help. Schedule a consultation with our experienced team to see if ketamine treatment may be right for you.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized medical advice. IV & oral ketamine treatments are not FDA approved and are used off-label.
