How much does ketamine therapy cost?
How much does ketamine therapy cost?
$400 – $800 cost per infusion for depression
$2,400 – $6,400 total treatment cost for depression
$600 – $1,400 cost per infusion for pain
$2,400 – $11,000 total treatment cost for pain
Ketamine therapy cost
Ketamine therapy for depression costs $400 to $800 per infusion or $2,400 to $6,400 total for a full series of 6 to 8 infusions. Ketamine treatment for pain costs $600 to $1,400 per infusion or $2,400 to $11,000 for a full series of infusions, depending on the severity of the condition.
| Condition | Cost per ketamine infusion | Average total treatment cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | $400 – $800 | $2,400 – $6,400 |
| Pain | $600 – $1,400 | $2,400 – $11,000 |
*For initial series of infusions only; not including maintenance/booster treatments.
Ketamine infusions for depression take 40 minutes to 1 hour, while infusions for pain take 1 to 4 hours, depending on the diagnosis.
Many clinics charge an additional $150 to $300 for an initial evaluation before authorizing ketamine therapy, while others include the evaluation in the cost of the first infusion.
Maintenance treatments, also called booster treatments, cost $400 to $800 per infusion.
What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy uses low doses of ketamine, a controlled substance commonly used in higher doses for anesthesia, to relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions. Ketamine can also treat chronic pain.
Providers typically deliver ketamine therapy via intravenous (IV) infusions, which last 40 minutes to an hour or more. Alternatively, they can administer ketamine via an intranasal spray. Most patients require multiple infusions or intranasal treatments to experience long-lasting results.
During the treatment session, the patient relaxes in a comfortable chair and may listen to music through headphones. A nurse or other medical provider closely monitors the patient's vital signs and mental state throughout the treatment and for 30 minutes to 2 hours afterward.
Some clinics provide talk therapy after each treatment session to help patients integrate their experience, while other clinics refer patients to psychologists or counselors elsewhere instead.
Types of ketamine therapy
The cost of ketamine therapy varies significantly depending on the type of treatment:
Ketamine infusions: IV infusions are the most popular option and tend to provide the fastest results. Ketamine infusions cost $400 to $800 each for depression or other mental health conditions and $600 to $1,400 each for pain.
Intranasal ketamine: Spravato, a ketamine-derived nasal spray, is FDA-approved for depression and most insurance policies cover it. Spravato costs $600 to $1,500 per treatment without insurance or $10 to $100+ per treatment with insurance. Patients may only self-administer Spravato at a medical provider's office.
Oral / sublingual ketamine: Oral ketamine costs $30 to $100 per dose and comes in tablets and lozenges for at-home use. Some patients use oral ketamine to increase the time between maintenance infusions or eliminate the need for them altogether.
How does ketamine therapy work?
People suffering from long-term depression and other mental health issues often have fewer neural connections—neurons and synapses—in the brain. Ketamine triggers the production of glutamate, a neurotransmitter, which prompts the brain to form new neural pathways and connections.
Recent research indicates ketamine also affects serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters involved in mood, emotion, and pleasure. In higher doses, ketamine binds to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain to prevent the transmission of pain signals.
What does ketamine therapy feel like?
The experience during ketamine therapy varies for each person, and the same patient may even experience it differently from one session to the next. However, most people find ketamine therapy pleasant, and patients often report feeling deeply relaxed and happy.
Other common experiences that occur during a ketamine treatment session include:
Feeling like you're floating outside your body
Feeling blissful, tranquil, or euphoric
Mild visual hallucinations, such as colors seeming brighter
Heightened sensitivity to light and sound
Altered perception of time
Feeling intoxicated or uncoordinated
These feelings and sensations typically fade within about 20 minutes after the infusion ends. However, because ketamine therapy may make you tired or dizzy for several hours, you'll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home. Doctors recommend resting for the rest of the day.
Benefits of ketamine treatment
Several research studies show ketamine therapy provides fast-acting relief for symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Ketamine can also provide relief for patients with chronic pain or migraines.
Ketamine provides a wide range of benefits, including improved mood, better sleep, reduced stress, a sense of calmness, increased optimism, and reduced pain. Many patients notice improvement within hours or days, while others only experience significant results after their second or third infusion.
Pairing ketamine treatment with psychotherapy can improve your results. Talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy costs $100 to $250 per session without insurance or $20 to $60 per session with insurance.
How long does ketamine therapy last?
A single ketamine treatment typically provides relief for a few days to two weeks. Longer-lasting relief requires a series of 6 to 8 treatments given regularly over the course of a month.
Some patients who complete the whole series never need another treatment, but most people require booster treatments every 4 to 6 weeks. Many patients find they need maintenance treatments less often as time goes on.
Is ketamine therapy safe?
Ketamine therapy is generally considered safe when administered by an experienced medical practitioner. However, ketamine should be avoided or used only with extreme caution for patients who meet any of the following criteria:
People with unstable hypertension or pre-existing aneurysmal vascular disorders
Older adults with symptoms of dementia
People with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
People with a history of substance use disorder
Teenagers
Side effects of ketamine treatment
Ketamine may cause side effects during or immediately after the treatment. Commonly reported side effects include:
Drowsiness or lethargy
Feelings of dissociation
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Blurred vision
Anxiety
Increased blood pressure
Poor coordination
Feeling intoxicated
In rare cases where a patient experiences discomfort due to these side effects, the medical provider monitoring the patient can provide other rapid-acting medications to alleviate the problem.
Factors affecting the cost of ketamine treatment
These factors can impact the cost of ketamine therapy:
Type of treatment: Insurance providers do not cover ketamine infusions, which can significantly increase your out-of-pocket costs. However, your insurance may cover intranasal treatments, depending on your plan and condition. Oral ketamine is the cheapest option but may not be as effective as other methods.
Condition being treated: Ketamine treatments for pain are more expensive because each infusion takes longer and uses a higher concentration of the drug than infusions for depression.
Number of treatments needed:
Depression: Most clinics recommend a series of 6 to 8 infusions administered over 2 to 4 weeks for treatment-resistant depression.
PTSD, OCD, and other psychiatric conditions: Ketamine therapy for other psychiatric conditions may require anywhere from 3 to 12+ treatments, depending on the diagnosis.
Pain: Some patients with pain-related conditions require only a few treatments, while others require more. Most doctors recommend a series of 3 to 8 treatments, depending on the condition and severity of the pain.
Treatment facility & location: The provider's experience, clinic's reputation, and location also impact the cost. Fees at clinics in major metropolitan cities like New York and Los Angeles are typically on the higher end of the range.
FAQs about ketamine therapy
Is ketamine therapy covered by insurance?
Health insurance does not cover ketamine infusions for depression, other mental health conditions, or chronic pain because the FDA considers it an "off-label" use of the drug.
Many insurance providers cover Spravato, an FDA-approved ketamine nasal spray, for treatment-resistant depression. However, most plans only cover it if the patient has already tried and failed with two to four oral antidepressants.
Is ketamine therapy legal?
Ketamine therapy is legal when administered by a licensed medical provider who is registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). However, using ketamine to treat pain, depression, or other psychiatric conditions is "off-label," meaning it's legal for doctors to prescribe but not FDA-approved for those conditions.
Does ketamine therapy get you high?
Many patients describe feeling a floating sensation during ketamine therapy. Some patients also experience mild hallucinations—such as perceiving colors more vibrantly—or a sense of dissociation. Your medical provider will adjust the dosage as needed during each infusion to ensure you remain comfortable without too much dissociation.
Finding the best ketamine therapy near you
Ketamine therapy is only available through licensed healthcare providers, including psychiatrists and other medical doctors authorized to administer the drug. Keep these things in mind when choosing a clinic or psychiatrist near you:
Look for doctors and clinics with extensive experience using ketamine to treat your specific condition.
Select a provider who is a member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners (ASKP).
Read reviews from other patients to learn more about how the clinic treats its patients.
Visit the clinic to ensure it provides a quiet, calm atmosphere with private rooms for each patient.
Confirm the doctor is board-certified and licensed to practice in your state.
Ask if the clinic offers psychotherapy or other mental health support services or if they'll work with your existing mental health professional.
Questions to ask psychiatrists & ketamine clinics
Ask these important questions to ensure you find the best provider for ketamine therapy:
How long have you been offering ketamine therapy?
Which specialty are you board-certified in?
What experience do you have in using ketamine to treat my condition?
Do you belong to the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners (ASKP) or any other ketamine-related organizations?
Do you recommend ketamine infusions or intranasal treatment for my condition?
Do your ketamine therapy sessions include psychotherapy?
What other mental health services and support do you offer?
Can you work with my current mental healthcare professional?
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