If you have spent months or years trying medications and therapy without enough relief, you know how exhausting that search can be. Ketamine therapy offers a different approach. Instead of working on serotonin like most antidepressants, ketamine acts on the brain’s glutamate system, and for some people, it brings relief within hours or days when other treatments have not helped.
At Psychiatric Pathways in Bloomington, Brenna Christie, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, provides IV ketamine therapy in a calm, closely monitored setting as part of comprehensive psychiatric care for adults across the Twin Cities. Ketamine is never offered in isolation here. It is managed alongside your medication management, therapy, and, when appropriate, Spravato, all under one care team.
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Ketamine has been used safely in hospitals and surgical settings for decades as an anesthetic. At much lower doses than those used for anesthesia, researchers found it can rapidly improve symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions, especially in people who have not responded to standard treatment.
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Its use for depression and other mental health conditions is considered off-label, which is a common and legal practice in medicine. Because of that, ketamine therapy is prescribed only after a thorough evaluation confirms it is medically appropriate, and it is given under direct medical supervision.
Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors in the brain, which leads to a surge of glutamate, the brain’s most abundant chemical messenger. This is thought to trigger the growth of new connections between brain cells, especially in areas weakened by chronic stress, depression, and trauma. In simple terms, ketamine may help the brain become more flexible, making it easier to break out of rigid patterns like persistent hopelessness, fear, or intrusive thoughts.
This is also why ketamine can work differently from, and faster than, traditional antidepressants. Many patients describe feeling lighter, calmer, or more hopeful after treatment, and some find they can engage more fully in therapy.
Ketamine therapy may be a good fit if you:
Ketamine is not right for everyone. It requires extra caution or may not be appropriate for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, a history of psychosis, active substance use, or active mania, and it is not recommended during pregnancy. Your evaluation covers all of this before any treatment is scheduled.
During an infusion, many people feel deeply relaxed, with a floating sensation, mild dissociation (feeling detached from your body or surroundings), or changes in how sights and sounds seem. Some experience emotional release. These effects are temporary, usually fade within minutes to an hour after the infusion ends, and are closely supervised.
Most patients begin with an initial series of infusions over several weeks. Some benefit from occasional maintenance sessions afterward to help sustain improvement. We track your progress with structured check-ins and adjust your plan based on how you respond.
Ketamine is used off-label for every mental health condition, and the research is stronger for some conditions than others. Here is how ketamine fits with each condition we treat.
| Condition | State of the research | When ketamine may be considered |
| Depression | Strongest evidence, especially for treatment-resistant depression | Depression has not improved with standard medications |
| PTSD | Growing evidence, including controlled trials | PTSD symptoms or co-occurring depression persist despite standard treatment |
| Anxiety | Early, smaller studies | Anxiety has not responded to standard medications |
| OCD | Early, smaller studies | OCD has not responded to SSRIs, usually alongside ERP therapy |
| Bipolar disorder | Limited studies in bipolar depression | Bipolar depression persists with a mood stabilizer in place; never during mania |
| Prescription drug addiction | Emerging, not established | Only for stable patients in recovery with an addiction team |
Depression, especially treatment-resistant depression, is where ketamine has the strongest research support. For people who have tried two or more antidepressants without enough relief, ketamine may bring improvement within hours or days, sometimes after years of feeling stuck. It may also be considered for severe depression and for postpartum depression that has not responded to standard treatment, with feeding plans discussed before treatment begins. Learn more about depression treatment.
Research on ketamine for PTSD is growing, including controlled clinical trials. Trauma tends to lock the brain into repetitive fear loops, and ketamine may help reduce the emotional intensity of triggers and memories. Many patients find it easier to engage in trauma-focused therapy afterward. Learn more about PTSD treatment.
Research on ketamine for anxiety, including generalized and social anxiety, is still early and based on smaller studies. Some patients describe feeling mentally quieter and less overwhelmed after treatment. Ketamine may be considered when anxiety has not responded to standard medications, often when depression is also present. Learn more about anxiety treatment.
Glutamate is involved in the brain circuits linked to OCD, which is why researchers are studying ketamine for it. The evidence is still early. When OCD has not responded to SSRIs, ketamine may be considered as one part of a plan that includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. Learn more about OCD treatment.
Ketamine is used for bipolar depression, not mania. Research in bipolar depression is more limited than in major depression. When bipolar depression persists despite well-managed medication, ketamine may be considered, generally while you continue your mood stabilizer. It is not appropriate during an active manic episode or psychosis, and because any treatment for depression can carry some risk of triggering mania, we monitor your mood closely before, during, and after treatment. Learn more about bipolar disorder treatment.
Early research has explored ketamine as a possible support for recovery from alcohol and opioid dependence, but the evidence is still emerging. Ketamine does not treat withdrawal, is never a substitute for detox or formal addiction treatment, and can itself be misused. We consider it only for carefully selected patients who have completed withdrawal, are stable in recovery, and are working with an addiction treatment team, most often when significant depression persists. Learn more about prescription drug addiction treatment.
Ketamine and Spravato both work on the glutamate system, and we offer both. The right choice depends on your diagnosis, history, insurance, and preferences.
We will help you weigh the options during your consultation.
When given at low doses in a medical setting, ketamine has a well-established safety profile. Common side effects include dissociation, nausea, dizziness, headache, and a temporary rise in blood pressure and heart rate. They usually begin during the infusion and resolve shortly after. Our team monitors you throughout every session.
Ketamine can be misused outside a medical setting, which is why it is only given in our office, never sent home, and prescribed after a careful review of your history. Long-term, frequent recreational use has been linked to bladder and memory problems. These risks are not expected with supervised treatment schedules, but they are part of why careful selection and monitoring matter.
IV ketamine infusions are $395 per session. Because ketamine is used off-label for mental health conditions, infusions are usually self-pay rather than billed to insurance. We accept HSA and FSA payments and can provide a superbill that may allow partial reimbursement depending on your plan. If cost is a concern, ask us about Spravato, which is often covered by insurance.
Brenna Christie is dual board certified as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and a member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists and Practitioners (ASKP3). Her practice focuses on adults whose depression and mood symptoms have not improved with traditional treatment alone.
Our clinic is located at 3601 Minnesota Dr #510 in Bloomington, serving adults throughout the Twin Cities, including Minneapolis, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, and surrounding communities. Ketamine treatments take place in person at our office. Many medication management follow-up visits can be held by telehealth.
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Its use for depression and other mental health conditions is off-label, a common and legal practice when a provider determines a treatment is appropriate. Spravato, a related medication, is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression.
Some people notice changes within hours or days of their first infusions. Others need several sessions. Results vary, and your plan is adjusted based on your response.
Most patients start with an initial series over several weeks. Some benefit from occasional maintenance sessions afterward.
No. The doses used for mental health treatment are much lower than anesthetic doses. You stay awake throughout, though you may feel relaxed, dreamy, or detached.
Usually not. Most patients continue their current medications. A few medications can affect how ketamine works, so we review everything you take during your evaluation.
No. You should not drive until the next day, so plan for someone to take you home.
Ketamine can be misused outside a medical setting. In a supervised clinic with careful screening and limited dosing, the risk is low. It is never sent home with patients.
Usually not, because its use for mental health is off-label. We can provide a superbill for possible partial reimbursement, and we accept HSA and FSA. Spravato is often covered by insurance.
Yes, and we encourage it. Many patients find ketamine helps them get more out of therapy.
Call us or book a free consultation online. We will review your history and help you decide whether ketamine, Spravato, or another option is the best fit.
If standard treatment has left you feeling stuck, ketamine therapy may offer a new path forward. At Psychiatric Pathways, Brenna Christie and our team are here to help you find out if it is right for you.
Call (952) 592-5421 or schedule your free consultation today.
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