Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is gaining traction as a powerful therapeutic approach, especially for individuals navigating depression, trauma, and existential distress that hasn’t responded to more conventional treatments. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to take effect, ketamine offers rapid and, for many, profound shifts in mood and perspective, often within hours. When combined with intentional psychotherapy, this altered state can open space for healing, insight, and new patterns of relating to self and others.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is not just a medical intervention but a doorway into deeper psychological work. Rather than masking symptoms, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy allows many clients to reconnect with their inner world, often for the first time in years. While ketamine alone can create temporary relief, the therapeutic container helps anchor and expand the gains that emerge from the experience.
Below is a carefully selected list of peer-reviewed studies and reviews that illustrate both the clinical effectiveness and the neurobiological mechanisms of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. These include foundational research as well as more recent breakthroughs. Together, they offer a strong and evolving evidence base for those interested in understanding how ketamine can support deep emotional healing, not only symptom reduction. Whether you’re a practitioner or simply exploring options, these studies provide a grounded look at the transformative potential of this modality.
PTSD Case Series (2025)
Feder, A., Brown, O., Rutter, S. B., Costi, S., Jha, M. K., Pitczak, R. H., Charney, D. S., & Murrough, J. W. (2025). Combining ketamine infusions and written exposure therapy for chronic PTSD: an open‑label trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 86(2), 24m15622.
In this pilot with 14 adults with chronic, treatment‑resistant PTSD, six IV ketamine infusions were integrated with written‑exposure therapy. At 12‑week follow‑up, average PTSD severity dropped by nearly half. Sixty-nine percent responded, and 61% sustained improvement at six months. Symptoms of depression, dissociation, and anxiety also decreased. The combined protocol was well tolerated.
Randomised Controlled Trial of Ketamine Alone vs Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (2025)
Johnson, D. E., Rodrigues, N. B., Weisz, S., Chisamore, N., Kaczmarek, E. S., Mansur, R. B., McIntyre, R. S., & Rosenblat, J. D. (2025). Combining ketamine with psychotherapy provides no additional benefit over ketamine alone: real-world outcomes. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 91, 69–77.
Analysing over 600 adults treated in routine care, the study found that combining ketamine with psychotherapy offered no statistically greater improvement than ketamine alone within 30 or 180 days. However, subgroup differences (e.g. age, gender) hint that combined treatment may benefit certain populations more.
Large Retrospective Effectiveness Study (2023)
Yermus, R., Verbora, M., Kennedy, S., McMaster, R., Kratina, S., Wolfson, E., Medrano, B., Bryson, N., Zaer, N., & Bottos, J. (2023). Ketamine‑assisted psychotherapy provides lasting and effective results in depression, anxiety and PTSD at 3 and 6 months: a large single‑arm effectiveness trial. medRxiv.
Following 1,806 adults treated across multiple clinics, this real-world trial found that 4–6 ketamine with psychotherapy sessions led to significant reductions in symptoms that persisted at 3‑ and 6‑month check‑ins, even when prior treatments had failed. Most participants reported improved mood, reduced anxiety, and better PTSD control. Limitations include no control group, but durability of outcomes is encouraging.
Pilot Study in Chronic Pain & Depression (2023)
Drozdz, S. J., Goel, A., McGarr, M. W., Bhat, V., Diep, C., Katz, J., & Ladha, K. S. (2023). Ketamine‑assisted psychotherapy treatment of chronic pain and co-morbid depression: a pilot study of two approaches. Frontiers in Pain Research.
Ten individuals with chronic pain and depression received either high‑dose “psychedelic” ketamine before therapy or low‑dose “psycholytic” ketamine during psychotherapy. Both groups tolerated treatment well, but the psychedelic group reported more profound mystical-type experiences on MEQ‑30. Both showed mood and pain improvement, suggesting route and dose shape subjective impact.
Systematic Narrative Review of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (2022)
Drozdz, S. J., Goel, A., McGarr, M. W., Katz, J., Ritvo, P., Mattina, G. F., Bhat, V., Diep, C., & Ladha, K. S. (2022). Ketamine‑assisted psychotherapy: a systematic narrative review of the literature. Journal of Pain Research, 15, 1691–1706.
This broad review summarises 17 studies (603 participants) on ketamine combined with psychotherapy for conditions ranging from depression to addiction and pain. Findings suggest that Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy may extend and amplify ketamine’s rapid effects, improving mood, emotional processing, and engagement in treatment. Although protocols vary widely (dose, route, therapy style), Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy appears safe and promising across diverse settings. The authors call for larger controlled trials.
Open-Label Eating Disorder Pilot Study (2022)
Szarmach, J., Cubała, W. J., Włodarczyk, A., & Wiglusz, M. S. (2022). Group‑based ketamine‑assisted psychotherapy for eating disorders with depression/anxiety: a case series. Journal of Eating Disorders.
In residential treatment for 8 adults with anorexia or bulimia plus depression/anxiety, group Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions led to improved mood, reduced anxiety, and deeper emotional insight. Patients reported openness to feedback and treatment engagement enhanced. While preliminary, it demonstrates Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy’s potential in complex emotional and behavioural disorders.
Systematic Review of Ketamine for PTSD (2021)
Feder, A., Costi, S., Rutter, S. B., et al. (2021). A randomized controlled trial of repeated ketamine administration for chronic PTSD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 178(2), 193–202.
This trial provided some of the strongest evidence that ketamine can relieve PTSD symptoms. Compared to placebo, those who received repeated doses showed robust reductions in dissociation, flashbacks, and depressive symptoms. Effects were sustained with integration support.
Ketamine in Psychotherapy Settings (2019)
Dore, J., Turnipseed, B., Dwyer, S., et al. (2019). Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP): Patient demographics, clinical data, and outcomes in three large practices administering ketamine with psychotherapy. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 51(2), 189–198.
This study reviewed data from over 235 patients receiving Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Results showed significant and sustained reductions in depression and anxiety, particularly when ketamine was integrated with psychotherapy. It highlights the therapeutic synergy between the medicine and the psychotherapeutic process.
Ketamine and Neural Mechanisms (2019)
Krystal, J. H., Abdallah, C. G., Sanacora, G., et al. (2019). Ketamine: A paradigm shift for depression research and treatment. Neuron, 101(5), 774–778.
This paper explores ketamine’s unique action on brain chemistry, especially glutamate and neuroplasticity. It marked a shift from serotonin-based antidepressants and opened the door to rapid-acting therapeutics with more profound experiential effects.
Long-Term Benefits and Follow-Up (2014)
Dakwar, E., Anerella, C., Hart, C. L., et al. (2014). Therapeutic infusions of ketamine: Subjective experiences and qualitative insights into its use in treating addiction. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 46(5), 369–378.
Although focused on addiction, this qualitative study delved into the subjective, often spiritual, experiences clients had under ketamine. It highlighted how profound insights gained during sessions could lead to sustained behavioural change, especially when supported through therapy.
Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine (2006)
Zarate, C. A., Singh, J. B., Carlson, P. J., et al. (2006). A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(8), 856–864.
This landmark study demonstrated that a single intravenous dose of ketamine rapidly reduced symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, within hours. The effects lasted several days. It’s considered a pivotal trial that brought ketamine into the psychiatric mainstream.
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