Post-traumatic stress disorder affects roughly 13 million Americans in any given year, and for a substantial portion of those individuals, conventional treatments—psychotherapy and antidepressants—provide incomplete relief, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We work with many PTSD patients at Albany Ketamine Infusions who have spent years in therapy, tried multiple medications, and still live with intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and an inability to feel safe in their own bodies. The emerging evidence for ketamine in PTSD is not a passing trend; it represents a genuinely different mechanism of action from anything that preceded it.
Why PTSD Is Often Difficult to Treat
PTSD is not simply anxiety about the past. It is a disorder in which the brain’s fear-memory circuitry—particularly the amygdala and its connections to the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex—becomes stuck in a persistent state of threat detection. Conventional medications like SSRIs and SNRIs can reduce some symptoms, but they work primarily on monoamine neurotransmitter systems and do not directly address the underlying memory consolidation patterns that sustain PTSD symptoms.
Exposure-based therapies such as prolonged exposure and EMDR are considered the gold standard for PTSD treatment, and they work for many patients. But they require a person to voluntarily re-approach traumatic memories in a therapeutic context, and that process is too dysregulating for some patients, particularly those with complex or early-life trauma. We see patients for whom the idea of entering standard trauma therapy without some biological stabilization first is simply not feasible. Understanding why PTSD occurs at a neurobiological level is an important first step in recognizing why conventional approaches sometimes fall short.
How Ketamine May Address the Biology of PTSD
Ketamine’s effect on the glutamate system—specifically its action as an NMDA receptor antagonist—appears to do something that SSRIs cannot: it rapidly promotes the growth of new synaptic connections in areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation and fear extinction. Research published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology has shown that IV ketamine produces rapid reductions in PTSD symptom scores in some patients, with effects observed within 24 hours of a single infusion.
The theory is that ketamine may temporarily open a window of neuroplasticity during which the brain is more capable of revising or loosening the grip of fear memories. This is one reason why some researchers and clinicians are exploring ketamine in combination with trauma-focused psychotherapy—sometimes called ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, or KAP—as a way to amplify and integrate the neurobiological benefits of the infusion. We offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy at Albany Ketamine Infusions, and we believe for many patients with PTSD it represents the most complete approach available.
What PTSD Treatment Looks Like at Our Clinic
When a patient comes to us for PTSD, we begin with a comprehensive intake evaluation. We review prior psychiatric and medical history, current medications, trauma history at a level the patient is comfortable sharing, and any prior treatment attempts. We do not require a formal psychiatric diagnosis letter to proceed, but we do ask for documentation of your treatment history, and we speak with your current mental health provider when possible.
The IV ketamine protocol for PTSD is similar to the standard depression protocol: a loading series of six infusions delivered over two to three weeks, each lasting approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Some patients with PTSD report a particularly notable reduction in the emotional charge associated with traumatic memories during or shortly after infusions, though experiences differ widely. We do not promise specific outcomes. Results vary by individual, and we assess your response closely throughout the series.
For patients who want to combine infusions with psychotherapy, we can coordinate your treatment with your existing therapist or discuss referrals. The integration of ketamine and therapy is not mandatory, but it is something we discuss openly because the evidence suggests that the benefits of ketamine may be better sustained when patients have psychological support during and after the infusion series.
We also offer at-home ketamine treatments for patients across New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas who cannot travel to Albany. These programs maintain physician oversight through virtual check-ins and are designed for patients who are medically appropriate for that format—which we assess during the consultation process.
Addressing the Concern About Dissociation
A common concern we hear from PTSD patients considering ketamine is the question of dissociation. Ketamine does produce dissociative perceptual effects—a sense of separation from one’s usual sense of self or environment—during the infusion. For someone with a trauma history, the prospect of an altered state can feel threatening.
We take this concern seriously. Before every infusion, we spend time talking with patients about what to expect from the experience. We describe the sensations that are common, emphasize that they are time-limited and medically supervised, and discuss ways to approach the experience with a sense of openness rather than resistance. Dr. Hansen or clinical staff are present throughout every session, and patients can communicate with us at any point. Most PTSD patients who proceed find that the dissociative experience, while unfamiliar, does not feel threatening in our clinical environment—but we believe informed preparation is essential.
Barriers: Stigma and the Off-Label Question
Two barriers we encounter frequently with PTSD patients deserve direct attention. The first is stigma. Many patients who have lived with PTSD—particularly veterans, first responders, and survivors of abuse—carry an enormous burden of shame around seeking help at all, let alone seeking a treatment that involves a medication with ketamine’s cultural associations. We want to be clear: there is nothing experimental or fringe about ketamine for PTSD. The clinical research base is serious and growing, and the physicians advancing this work are publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at major psychiatric conferences.
The second barrier is the off-label question. IV ketamine for psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, is an off-label use—meaning the FDA has not approved it for this indication. This is an important distinction patients deserve to understand, and we explain it during every consultation. Off-label use of medications is extremely common in medicine, particularly in psychiatry. What matters is the quality of evidence and the clinical judgment of an experienced physician. We are confident in the evidence supporting ketamine for PTSD, and we discuss that evidence openly with every patient. You can learn more about how ketamine is making a difference for PTSD patients in our post on how ketamine for PTSD is making a difference in Albany.
FAQ
Is ketamine a proven treatment for PTSD?
The evidence for IV ketamine in PTSD is compelling and growing, but it is important to understand that IV ketamine is used off-label for PTSD—it does not carry an FDA indication for this condition. Clinical trials have demonstrated rapid symptom reduction in some patients, and research is ongoing. We discuss the evidence in full during your consultation.
Will I relive traumatic memories during a ketamine infusion?
Ketamine produces perceptual alterations and a dissociative state, but it does not work like exposure therapy and patients do not typically re-experience traumatic events in a structured way. The experience varies widely, and we prepare every patient thoroughly before the session begins. Results vary by individual.
Can I combine ketamine with my current PTSD therapy?
Yes, and we encourage it. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy—combining infusions with trauma-focused psychotherapy—is an approach we offer and discuss with patients for whom it is appropriate. Coordination with your existing therapist is something we facilitate.
How many sessions will I need for PTSD?
We typically start with a loading series of six infusions over two to three weeks. The appropriate number of sessions and any follow-up maintenance is discussed individually based on your response. Please discuss your specific situation with your provider.
Does insurance cover ketamine for PTSD?
Most insurance plans do not currently cover IV ketamine for psychiatric indications including PTSD. We provide transparent pricing during the consultation process. Some patients use health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts to help manage costs. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more details on what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- PTSD involves deeply entrenched fear-memory circuits that many conventional treatments do not directly address.
- IV ketamine acts via the glutamate system and may support rapid neuroplasticity associated with fear extinction.
- Ketamine is used off-label for PTSD—it is not FDA-approved for this indication, but clinical evidence is substantial.
- Albany Ketamine Infusions offers both IV infusion protocols and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD patients.
- Results vary by individual; patients are encouraged to discuss with their provider whether ketamine is appropriate for their situation.
Conclusion
PTSD does not respond to the same treatment in every person, and for those who have tried multiple approaches without adequate relief, IV ketamine therapy represents a scientifically grounded option worth discussing. At Albany Ketamine Infusions, we approach every PTSD patient with respect for what they have already been through and with honesty about what this treatment can and cannot offer. If you are ready to explore whether ketamine may be right for your situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation and have an open conversation with Dr. Hansen.
About Dr. Philip Hansen
Dr. Philip Hansen is a board-certified anesthesiologist who trained at Albany Medical Center. He established Albany Ketamine Infusions in partnership with Dr. Brooks, building on his training at NY Ketamine Infusions. Dr. Hansen graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and holds membership in the American Society of Anesthesia, the American Medical Association, and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists. He provides medical oversight for both in-office IV ketamine infusions and at-home telehealth ketamine programs for patients across New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas.
References
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD — https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp
Neuropsychopharmacology — https://www.nature.com/articles/npp2014134
National Institute of Mental Health — https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
American Psychiatric Association — https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd
Medical Disclaimer
This content is provided by Albany Ketamine Infusions for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. IV ketamine for PTSD is an off-label use. Individual results vary, and not all patients will respond to ketamine therapy. This information should not replace consultation with a qualified medical provider. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or are in danger, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.