In the latest episode of the Just Ingredients podcast, Karalynne sat down with Dr. Nathan Gilmore, a board-certified physician and Chief Medical Director of Anew Therapy, to discuss a groundbreaking and often misunderstood tool for mental health: ketamine. Dr. Gilmore has over a decade of experience in medicine, and now his focus lies in using ketamine to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other severe mental health conditions. The conversation dives deep into how ketamine works, what a treatment session looks like, and how this approach can offer hope to those facing treatment-resistant mental health issues.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with severe depression or anxiety, ketamine could be a life-changing treatment option. In this blog post, we’ll explore the main takeaways from this enlightening episode and provide some insight into how ketamine treatment might help transform lives.
What is Ketamine and How Did It Become a Mental Health Treatment?
Ketamine was initially discovered as an anesthetic and was widely used on battlefields during the Vietnam War to help soldiers dissociate from pain and trauma while undergoing emergency treatment. Its use in anesthesia continued for decades. During this time, physicians began noticing that patients treated with ketamine often experienced an unexpected mood boost following their procedures. This sparked research into ketamine’s effects on mental health, leading to pivotal studies by Yale and other major institutions.
Fast forward to today, and ketamine is now considered one of the most promising treatments for individuals with severe mental health conditions—particularly those who haven’t found relief from traditional therapies or medications. Dr. Gilmore shares that ketamine is remarkably effective for treatment-resistant depression, with studies showing it can significantly reduce symptoms and even reverse suicidality after just one dose.
How Does Ketamine Work?
Understanding how ketamine works can help demystify why it’s so effective. Dr. Gilmore explains that ketamine operates on the brain’s glutamate system, which plays a major role in regulating mood. By blocking specific receptors in the brain, ketamine helps “reroute” neurotransmitter pathways that are often stuck in negative loops, like those causing depression and anxiety. Think of it as providing a reset—a chance for the brain to step out of unhealthy patterns and create new, healthier ones.
During the podcast, Karalynne compared these neural pathways to rivers or streams. When someone is caught in a cycle of anxiety or depression, it’s as if their brain only knows one path to follow—the one leading to anxiety or negative thoughts. Ketamine helps redirect the flow, allowing for the creation of new pathways that lead to healthier responses, improved mood, and reduced anxiety. This analogy perfectly captures the essence of what ketamine does: it facilitates neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and adapt.
What Happens During a Ketamine Treatment Session?
A typical ketamine treatment session is nothing like the medical procedures you might imagine. At Dr. Gilmore’s clinic, Anew Therapy, they place great emphasis on the “set and setting,” which is how they create a calm, welcoming environment for patients. The treatment space is designed to feel like a peaceful spa, and patients are encouraged to prepare mentally by setting their intentions—focusing on what they want to work through during the session.
In most cases, ketamine is administered as a single injection into the deltoid muscle, which induces a dissociative, dreamlike state. Patients often feel a sense of floating or separation from their usual thoughts and stresses. Dr. Gilmore describes this altered state as essential for shifting neurotransmitter pathways, breaking patients free from the ruts they’ve been stuck in for months or even years. The effects of ketamine last about 30 to 60 minutes, during which patients may feel a mixture of calm, emotional openness, and a subtle distance from their usual anxious or depressive thoughts.
For some patients, the ketamine experience is profoundly healing after just one session, while others need a series of treatments to feel significant relief. The most common protocol involves a series of six treatments over four to six weeks, allowing the brain to fully integrate and strengthen these new, healthier pathways. In some cases, patients also benefit from talk therapy during their ketamine experience, especially those dealing with trauma or PTSD.
Addressing Misconceptions About Ketamine
Despite its powerful potential, ketamine often has a bad rap. Many people associate it with recreational drug use, which unfortunately creates stigma around its therapeutic use. Dr. Gilmore points out that ketamine, like other medical substances, can be dangerous if abused. But when administered in a clinical setting by trained professionals, it is both safe and life-changing. He likens ketamine to morphine: while morphine is a powerful narcotic that can be abused, it’s also essential for pain relief in medical settings. Ketamine is the same—a powerful tool, but one that must be used responsibly.
Another misconception is that ketamine might change someone’s personality. Dr. Gilmore reassures listeners that ketamine doesn’t alter who you are; rather, it helps alleviate the symptoms that may be masking someone’s true self. Patients often feel more like themselves as they are freed from the weight of depression and anxiety, allowing their personality to shine through without the cloud of mental illness.
Why Ketamine Could Be the Right Option for You
If you’re struggling with severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions that haven’t responded to traditional treatments, ketamine could be an effective option. According to Dr. Gilmore, the literature supports the fact that ketamine is often more effective than antidepressants or other therapies for treatment-resistant conditions. He shares that, in his experience, over half of the patients treated with ketamine have had significant improvements in their symptoms—some even describe the experience as life-changing.
That said, ketamine is not a cure-all. Dr. Gilmore emphasizes that ketamine should be considered a tool in the mental health toolbox. It offers a reset—a chance for the brain to start fresh—but patients must also be ready to put in the work to maintain their mental health. This means following a healthy lifestyle, practicing good nutrition, staying physically active, and pursuing therapy. Ketamine provides a powerful push in the right direction, but long-term success comes from making other positive changes as well.
Finding the Right Provider
For those interested in ketamine therapy, finding a qualified provider is crucial. Not all clinics are the same, and it’s essential to choose a provider that follows established safety protocols and offers a supportive environment. For example, Anew Therapy follows a thorough process to evaluate whether a patient is a good candidate for ketamine therapy, considering both their medical history and mental health status. Anew Therapy also works closely with a patient’s existing care team to ensure that ketamine is a safe and appropriate choice.
Dr. Gilmore also touches on the financial side of ketamine treatment, which can be a barrier for some patients. While ketamine is FDA-approved, insurance does not always cover its use for mental health. However, newer forms like intranasal esketamine (Spravato) are often covered by insurance, making them a good alternative for those with budget constraints.
A Word on Courage
As the podcast episode wrapped up, Karalynne asked Dr. Gilmore what he considered the best ingredient in life. His answer? Courage. Dr. Gilmore believes that it takes real courage to face mental health challenges, ask for help, and try new treatments like ketamine—especially when you’re struggling to see the light. Ketamine can be a daunting step, but for many, it’s also the step that opens the door to a brighter future.
Karalynne, who has shared her own struggles with depression and past suicide attempts, echoed this sentiment. For her, ketamine could have been a lifeline during her darkest moments, providing the shift she needed to start making healthier choices. She encourages listeners to be courageous—whether that means trying ketamine or simply reaching out to a friend or mental health professional for support.
Conclusion
At Anew Therapy, we believe in reshaping the landscape of mental health treatment through innovative, effective options like ketamine therapy. If you or someone you love is struggling with severe depression, anxiety, or PTSD, especially after trying traditional treatments without relief, ketamine therapy could be the reset you need—a chance to break negative thought patterns and actually heal rather than simply cope.
Don’t wait to take control of your mental health. Schedule a consultation call with Anew Therapy today and let us help you take your courageous first step to a brighter future.
Listen to the full episode
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/172-could-ketamine-therapy-transform-mental-health/id1557557205?i=1000673025488
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3jmxm0mkN0W70ujswXdVAP
