Depression
Ketamine Treatment for Depression
Specialist Support for Treatment-Resistant Depression
When Standard Treatments Haven't Been Enough
Depression can be one of the most debilitating mental health conditions a person experiences, particularly when medication, therapy or other treatments have not provided enough relief. For some adults with severe or treatment-resistant depression, ketamine treatment for depression may be considered after a specialist psychiatric assessment.
Save Minds is a CQC-registered, consultant-led clinic that has been delivering ketamine treatment for depression in London since 2017, formerly in Chelsea and now based in St John’s Wood. To date, the clinic has administered more than 5,000 infusions, with outcomes from internal audit data showing a good response rate in over 70% of patients treated.
Treatment is planned around each patient’s symptoms, mental health history and previous treatment response, with close monitoring throughout the process. The aim is to provide a structured, medically supervised treatment pathway for adults whose depression has remained severe, persistent or difficult to treat with conventional approaches alone.
- The Basics
What is Ketamine Treatment for Depression?
Ketamine is a medication traditionally used as an anaesthetic, but it has also become an area of specialist interest in mental health care because of its effects on brain pathways involved in mood regulation. In selected patients, ketamine therapy for depression may be considered when standard antidepressants, talking therapy or other treatments have not led to adequate improvement.
Ketamine treatment for depression works through different brain pathways from many standard antidepressants, which is why it may be considered for treatment-resistant symptoms.
Ketamine shows positive outcomes for those with treatment-resistant depression.
- Suitability
When Can Ketamine Be Considered for Depression?
Ketamine treatment may be considered when depression remains severe, persistent or difficult to treat despite appropriate previous care. This is often described as treatment-resistant depression, although suitability depends on more than diagnosis alone.
Ketamine treatment for depression may be explored for:
Adults with depression that has not improved adequately after previous antidepressant treatment
Patients who have been unable to tolerate antidepressants due to side effects
People with severe depressive symptoms that continue to affect daily life, relationships or functioning
Patients with depression alongside anxiety, PTSD, OCD or other complex mental health symptoms
Individuals who need a specialist review after a limited response to standard depression treatment
Patients who are medically suitable for supervised intravenous ketamine treatment
A referral from a GP or psychiatrist is typically required before an assessment can be arranged
- Benefits
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
For suitable patients, ketamine treatment for depression may offer another option when standard treatments have not provided enough relief. The potential benefits vary from person to person, but the aim is to support meaningful symptom improvement, closer monitoring and a more responsive treatment plan.
Ketamine treatment may offer potential benefits such as:
Ketamine works through different brain pathways from many conventional antidepressants, which may be relevant when standard medication has not helped enough.
Some patients may experience a reduction in the intensity of depressive symptoms, although response varies.
Treatment may be considered for severe or treatment-resistant depression when antidepressants, therapy or other forms of care have not provided enough improvement.
Ketamine may influence neuroplasticity, which could help some patients experience changes in rigid or repetitive depressive thought patterns.
Structured mood monitoring helps the clinical team review whether symptoms are changing during the treatment course.
Treatment is delivered in a medically supervised setting, allowing response, side effects and overall wellbeing to be monitored throughout.
- The Science
How Ketamine Treatment for Depression Works
Ketamine appears to work differently from many standard antidepressants. While conventional antidepressants often affect serotonin or noradrenaline pathways, ketamine is thought to influence glutamate signalling, which plays an important role in communication between brain cells. This may help explain why ketamine is being used for treatment-resistant depression, particularly in people who have not responded well to previous treatments.
Research suggests that ketamine may influence neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections. This may help explain why ketamine is being studied for treatment-resistant depression, although individual response varies and treatment should be guided by specialist assessment.
A specialist assessment helps determine whether ketamine treatment may be appropriate for each patient’s symptoms and history.
- ⚕ The Process
Our Ketamine Treatment Process
The Save Minds treatment process is designed to make each stage clear, safe and clinically appropriate. Before ketamine treatment for depression is recommended, the team reviews your mental health history, previous treatment response, current symptoms, physical health and individual suitability.
Initial Consultation and Evaluation
The process begins with an initial enquiry and clinical evaluation. A mental health professional or psychiatrist reviews your depression history, current symptoms, previous treatments and wider mental health background, while also screening for factors that may make treatment unsuitable, such as uncontrolled blood pressure, certain cardiovascular conditions, active substance misuse concerns or a history of psychosis.
Baseline Measures
Before treatment begins, baseline measures help the team understand your starting point. These may include structured symptom questionnaires, review of depression severity, mood tracking, discussion of how symptoms affect daily life and physical observations such as blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels where appropriate.
Informed Consent
Before ketamine treatment begins, patients are given information about the potential benefits, risks, side effects, alternatives and limitations of treatment. This allows time to ask questions, understand the process and make an informed decision before proceeding.
Preparation for Treatment
Before an infusion, patients may be given specific preparation instructions, including guidance around eating, drinking, regular medication and transport home. Patients should not drive after ketamine treatment, so practical arrangements should be made before attending the clinic.
The Ketamine Infusion
Ketamine treatment for depression is delivered intravenously in a medically supervised setting. The dose and treatment plan are determined by the clinical team based on the patient’s individual circumstances, suitability and response to treatment.
Monitoring During Treatment
Monitoring is an essential part of intravenous ketamine treatment. During the infusion, the team may monitor observations such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels, while remaining available to support comfort, respond to concerns and manage any immediate effects.
Post-Treatment Care
After the infusion, patients rest in the clinic while the immediate effects wear off. Some people may feel tired, groggy, disoriented or “out of it” for a short period, so aftercare guidance is provided, and patients are advised not to drive, operate machinery or make important decisions immediately after treatment.
Post-Treatment Care
After the infusion, patients rest in the clinic while the immediate effects wear off. Some people may feel tired, groggy, disoriented or “out of it” for a short period, so aftercare guidance is provided, and patients are advised not to drive, operate machinery or make important decisions immediately after treatment.
- Honesty
Risks and Realistic Expectations
Ketamine treatment for depression is a specialist medical treatment, not a guaranteed cure. Some patients may respond well, while others may experience limited or temporary improvement. The purpose of assessment and monitoring is to understand whether treatment is appropriate and whether it is producing a meaningful response.
Possible side effects, suitability concerns and treatment limitations should be discussed before treatment begins. At Save Minds, patients are assessed carefully so that treatment can be planned responsibly, with clear expectations around response, safety and ongoing care.
- Why Save Minds
Why Choose Save Minds for Ketamine Treatment for Depression?
More than 5,000 ketamine infusions delivered since 2017.
A good response rate in over 70% of patients treated, based on internal audit data.
GMC-registered consultants with NHS and private sector appointments.
A CQC-registered treatment environment focused on safety and monitoring.
Individualised treatment plans based on symptoms, history and treatment response.
Continuous monitoring throughout every intravenous ketamine session.
Daily mood and anxiety tracking through the proprietary Mood Monitor App.
Discreet care for patients across London, the UK and internationally.
A careful treatment pathway for adults who have already tried standard treatment approaches without enough improvement.
- Questions
FAQs
How many sessions are usually needed for ketamine treatment for depression?
Ketamine treatment for depression usually involves a planned course of sessions rather than a single appointment. The number and timing of treatments depend on your symptoms, suitability, response and clinical review.
Can ketamine treatment be used alongside antidepressants?
In some cases, ketamine treatment may be considered alongside existing medication or wider mental health care. Any changes to antidepressants or other medications should only be made with clinical guidance.
What should I do after a ketamine treatment session?
After treatment, you should rest, avoid driving and follow the aftercare advice provided by the clinical team. Some people feel tired, groggy or slightly disoriented for a short period after their session.
Are there side effects from ketamine treatment for depression?
Ketamine treatment can cause side effects, which may include temporary changes in perception, light-headedness, nausea, tiredness or feeling detached during treatment. Suitability, risks and side effects are discussed before treatment begins.
Is ketamine treatment for depression suitable if I have suicidal thoughts?
If you are experiencing severe suicidal thoughts, please seek urgent support by contacting your GP, calling 999 or contacting the Samaritans on 116 123. Save Minds does not provide emergency crisis care, but for adults living with severe depression or suicidal ideation, ketamine therapy may be considered following a thorough psychiatric assessment as part of a structured medical treatment pathway.
Start Your Depression Treatment Assessment Process
If you are considering ketamine treatment for depression after a limited response to medication, therapy or other mental health care, we are here to help. Contact Save Minds today to begin your confidential assessment. Our team will guide you through the referral process, psychiatric evaluation and whether this treatment is right for you.