FAQ
Ketamine Therapy — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the most common questions about at-home ketamine therapy, from safety and cost to choosing a provider.
Safety & Legality
Is ketamine therapy legal?
Yes. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic and is legally prescribed off-label for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain by licensed physicians. At-home ketamine therapy uses sublingual (under-the-tongue) formulations prescribed through telehealth consultations.
What are the side effects of ketamine therapy?
Common side effects during sessions include mild dissociation, dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness. These typically resolve within 1-2 hours after the session ends. Serious side effects are rare at therapeutic doses. Long-term risks at prescribed doses are minimal compared to IV or recreational use.
Can ketamine therapy be combined with other medications?
Ketamine can generally be taken alongside SSRIs, SNRIs, and most other antidepressants. However, it should not be combined with MAOIs, and caution is needed with benzodiazepines (which may reduce effectiveness). Your prescribing clinician will review all medications during intake.
Treatment & Effectiveness
What conditions does ketamine therapy treat?
At-home ketamine therapy is most commonly prescribed for treatment-resistant depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain), and OCD. Some providers also treat bipolar depression and suicidal ideation under careful monitoring.
How often do you take ketamine for depression?
Most providers prescribe 2-3 sessions per week during the initial phase (first 4-6 weeks), then taper to 1-2 sessions weekly for maintenance. Some providers like Joyous use a daily low-dose (microdose) protocol instead.
What happens during an at-home ketamine session?
You place a sublingual tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve (15-20 minutes). Effects begin within 10-15 minutes and last 45-90 minutes. During this time, you rest in a comfortable position — many patients use eye masks and calming music. A trip sitter or monitor should be present.
Is at-home ketamine as effective as IV infusions?
Research shows sublingual ketamine achieves comparable outcomes to IV infusions for depression when dosed appropriately. The main advantage of at-home treatment is convenience, lower cost, and consistent long-term access. IV may produce faster initial response but costs $400-800/session.
Providers & Cost
How do I choose between ketamine providers?
Key factors: dosing flexibility (will they adjust to your needs?), monthly cost (calculate 6-12 month totals), clinician responsiveness, state availability, and whether they have dose caps. Kalm Health offers the most flexibility with no dose cap starting at $124/month. Mindbloom is best for guided beginners.
What if my current provider won't increase my dose?
Many providers have hard dose caps (Mindbloom ~900mg, Joyous ~100mg). If you've plateaued, consider switching to Kalm Health, which has no hard maximum dose cap and prescribes based on clinical need rather than arbitrary limits.
How quickly can I start ketamine therapy?
The fastest providers (Kalm Health, Joyous) complete intake and ship medication within 24-48 hours. Mindbloom typically takes 3-7 days. Others may take 1-2 weeks for full onboarding.
How much does ketamine therapy cost per month?
Monthly costs range from $89 to $400 depending on provider, dosing level, and plan type. The most affordable full-dose option is Kalm Health at $124/month. Factor in that some providers charge per-session rather than monthly, which adds up faster over time.
This FAQ is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.