Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Characterized by excessive worry, fear, and nervousness, anxiety can significantly impact daily life, interfering with work, relationships, and overall well-being.
Anxiety can manifest in various forms, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. While traditional treatments such as medication and therapy help many individuals, a significant percentage of those with anxiety continue to struggle with persistent symptoms.
The antidepressant effects of ketamine were first reported in 2000, and since then, numerous studies have demonstrated its ability to rapidly reduce depressive symptoms.
Many patients with depression also experience significant anxiety symptoms, and ketamine has been shown to alleviate both depressive and anxious symptoms in these cases. Further research shows ketamine may be effective in treating anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.
Read on to learn more about how ketamine works, the science behind it, the rapid relief it provides, and whether it may be right for you.
What Is Ketamine and How Is It Used for Anxiety?
Ketamine is an anesthetic originally developed for use in veterinary medicine. It has long been used in human medicine for this purpose and has been proven safe when administered by medical professionals. It has sedative and dissociative properties which make it effective for anesthesia.
Approximately 40% of patients with anxiety disorders do not experience clinical benefit from current evidence-based treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) [1].
Recent research suggests ketamine may offer significant benefits for individuals with anxiety. In fact, studies show that ketamine administration can produce rapid anxiety-reducing effects. As a result, many clinics across the United States now offer ketamine treatments to provide patients with these anti-anxiety effects.
The Science Behind Ketamine: How It Affects the Brain
Although scientists are still researching ketamine for anxiety, some studies show it may be an effective off-label treatment, not yet approved by the FDA [2]. Ketamine has been shown to have evidence-based rapid-acting effects for treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Ketamine has now also been shown to work rapidly and effectively for anxiety, targeting multiple mechanisms in the brain. Evidence from neuroimaging and pharmacological studies has identified the importance of abnormalities in the neurotransmitter glutamate that may be a key factor in the development of anxiety.
Ketamine primarily acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist by blocking the activity of glutamate and promoting the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Ketamine works by inducing a temporary surge of glutamine, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, helping to regulate mood and alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Study results show that ketamine may be helpful for anxiety and a broad range of disorders with negative emotional states, suggesting these disorders may share a common neurological cause [3].
Ketamine’s Rapid Relief: Why It Works Differently Than Traditional Medications
Unlike traditional anti-anxiety medications, ketamine can produce noticeable improvements within hours or even minutes after administration. This rapid relief is due to its unique pharmacological properties.Reports indicate that over 70% of patients experience a significant reduction in negative symptoms with three treatments [4].
The Role of Neuroplasticity in Ketamine’s Anxiety-Relieving Effects
Anxiety causes damage to the neuronal connections of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. By blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine reduces glutamate system hyperactivity which is often characteristic of anxiety disorders. One of the effects of ketamine binding to its various receptor partners is to increase neuronal plasticity and growth, potentially reversing some of the damage caused by anxiety [5].
Ketamine’s ability to induce rapid plasticity in the synapses contributes to its long-lasting effects which can persist for days to weeks after administration. This plasticity helps reverse the negative effects of anxiety, chronic stress, and depression.
By enhancing neuroplasticity, ketamine allows the brain to form new neural connections and adapt to challenges. It also increases the availability of dopamine and serotonin, further contributing to its anti-anxiety effects and helping individuals break free from negative thought patterns associated with anxiety.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You? Benefits and Considerations
Benefits
- Rapid onset of action: Ketamine can produce noticeable improvements in anxiety symptoms within hours or days, which can be especially beneficial for those with severe anxiety.
- Effectiveness in treatment-resistant cases: Ketamine has shown promise in treating those who haven’t responded to conventional treatments.
- Neuroplasticity enhancement: Ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, potentially helping to rewire the brain and disrupt problematic thought patterns of anxiety.
- Broad spectrum of anxiety disorders: Ketamine therapy has shown efficacy in treating various anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and anxiety associated with depression.
Considerations and Potential Drawbacks
- Medical supervision required: Ketamine therapy should only be administered under the supervision of qualified medical professionals due to its potential for side effects and the need for careful dosing.
- Short-term effects: while ketamine can provide rapid relief, its effects may be relatively short-lived, typically lasting up to 7 days after a single treatment. This may require repeated treatments for sustained benefits.
- Potential side effects: As with any medical treatment, ketamine therapy can have side effects, including dissociation, dizziness, and nausea. The long-term effects of repeated ketamine use are still being studied.
- Cost and availability: Ketamine therapy may not be widely available and can be expensive. Insurance coverage varies, potentially making it inaccessible for some.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right For You?
Consider ketamine therapy if:
- You have treatment-resistant anxiety that hasn’t responded to traditional medications or therapies.
- You need rapid relief from severe anxiety symptoms.
- You’re under the care of a mental health professional who can monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed.
- You’re willing to undergo a series of treatments and can manage potential side effects.
The Harper Clinic Approach to Anxiety
If you’ve already tried conventional methods of mental health treatment with no relief, ketamine may be a good option for you. At Harper Clinic we offer ketamine lozenges and intramuscular injections. Ketamine therapy must be approved by a licensed medical professional before treatment can be administered.
Harper Clinic offers an easy 3-step consultation process to patients looking for treatment.
- Get in touch with Harper Clinic either by text, phone call, a form on their website, or through their direct Vagaro booking.
- Schedule your first consultation with a provider so they can help you design a treatment plan tailored to your specific health needs.
- During your initial assessment, your provider will verify insurance, review your medical history, discuss your treatment goals, and evaluate previous treatments you have tried.
Depending on your case, your provider may recommend alternative treatments first, such as medication or conventional therapies like CBT, DBT, or EMDR. If you meet the criteria for ketamine therapy, they will approve you for treatment and schedule your sessions.

Sources
[1] Taylor JH, Landeros-Weisenberger A, Coughlin C, Mulqueen J, Johnson JA, Gabriel D, Reed MO, Jakubovski E, Bloch MH. Ketamine for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2018 Jan;43(2):325-333
[2] Hietamies, T. et al. 2023. The effects of ketamine on symptoms of depression and anxiety in real-world care settings: A retrospective controlled analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. Volume 335, 15 August 2023, Pages 484-492
[3] Glue P, Medlicott NJ, Harland S, Neehoff S, Anderson-Fahey B, Le Nedelec M, Gray A, McNaughton N. Ketamine’s dose-related effects on anxiety symptoms in patients with treatment refractory anxiety disorders. J Psychopharmacol. 2017 Oct;31(10):1302-1305
[4] Wells, A. 2024. Ketamine: A Rising Star in Mental Health Treatment. Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
[5] Tully JL, Dahlén AD, Haggarty CJ, Schiöth HB, Brooks S. Ketamine treatment for refractory anxiety: A systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Oct;88(10):4412-4426