Ketamine and Depression: What Users Say

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

"I have struggled with treatment-resistant depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune issues, and nerve-related symptoms. I have been on so many meds, and I tried TMS last year, which didn't help, so I decided to try ketamine. I have completed two infusions. I tried tapering off my antidepressants for the first infusion but felt more depressed the next day. However, after restarting the meds and having another infusion, I feel more energy and less depression now, two days after. Both infusions were unpleasant experiences for me. They were interesting, like being in another parallel realm or the end of life, but I cried and felt depressed and deflated after each treatment (apparently, this is NOT the norm). Those experiences were worth it as I feel a significant change after the second treatment. I hope this change will continue."

• Heb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2024

For Depression "I loved the first 3 treatments! 2 in the psych unit/behavioral health unit, 2 in a clinic and 1 so far at home (have a month's supply of nasal from a compounding pharmacy, and it's a controlled substance so I had to show my driver's license at the pharmacy.) My last in-clinic IV dose was awesome during but horrible after because of bad thoughts during treatment. I was more suicidal afterwards and my boiling depression turned to lava. My most recent nasal treatment was JUST RIGHT. PERFECT. AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN A FAIRLY GOOD MOOD AND FOCUS ON VERY POSITIVE THINGS DURING IT, ketamine is mental health gold."

• JRJ...
• August 4, 2021

For Anesthesia "I was given ketamine for a nerve ablation in my lumbar spine and had horrific hallucinations, not sure if I felt pain and screamed out or was dreaming, but I remember the Dr. saying that's not supposed to happen and could hear the nurses talking. It took me forever to 'wake up.' The nurse felt I was given too much as I was so dizzy and numb, my eyeballs felt like balloons about to pop out of my head, my head felt like a heavy balloon my neck couldn't support, and could barely talk an hour later. I spent over an hour and a half in recovery when they had to finally let me go. My husband had to support me, I was so dizzy and my legs were like noodles. It has been days now, and I feel like crud. Can't concentrate, my entire body aches so bad, and the dreams, no, the nightmares - planes crashing around the house, house being burned down, being hunted by a gang or some sort of bad people. Then I'm so freaked out I can't sleep and depression. I feel so depressed, and I have never felt like this before."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2021

"This was one of the most intense and depleting experiences I have ever had with IM ketamine. It was one nightmare of a trip, but really I gained very little from it. I was completely aware of the therapist with me, and I saw a lot of colors and kaleidoscopes that people are describing. The therapist I barely knew, and she talked me into doing it and wanted me to do more, but no way. I feel so down and drained and not better or relieved at all. I cried and felt vibrations in my body, but I wasn't able to really get to anything deeper that I was hoping for. I see people say do it more times, but I am scared. Also, does anyone know if this can cause changes in the brain? I hope I feel better soon because I did not feel bad until I took this medicine. Do not take it lightly, it is a hallucinogen and an anesthetic, and I have never felt good after anesthesia. It's the same bad depression you get after a procedure. I was on it for anxiety and depression."

• Gra...
• May 2, 2021

For Anesthesia "Cardioversion. Dr. said this was the only drug they could give me because my blood pressure was low! When administered, immediately went out. There was a loud siren to begin with, no wailing. Then there was siren wailing. I saw pictures, like a TV screen, the picture would begin at the bottom and explode at the top, and I would begin again at the bottom. I felt as if I died with the explosion (the end of the picture) and was born at the beginning of the new photo. The screen/photo and the sound would crescendo at the explosion. The explosion was a bright light. Screen after screen, sometimes a plant or building or person, siren after siren, life to death, over and over. I tried to stop myself from waking up! Depressed for 3 weeks now. The worst experience of my life!"