Ketamine Therapy for Depression in Toronto 

A New Approach to Treating Depression

 

Depression can feel like a slow erosion of your energy, joy, and clarity. For many people, it’s more than emotional. It affects sleep, appetite, motivation, focus, and the ability to engage with life.  When traditional treatments like antidepressants or talk therapy haven’t brought meaningful change, it’s easy to feel stuck.

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At Ketamine Health and Wellness, we provide evidence-based intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy for people living with depression, including those who haven’t responded to other treatments. Our care is medically supervised, compassionate, and tailored to your unique experience. We’re here to help you feel more present, clear, and reconnected to yourself and those around you.

 

How Ketamine Therapy Helps Depression

 

Depression doesn’t just affect how you feel. It can actually change how your brain functions. Over time, depression can cause certain brain areas like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex  to shrink. As these regions play a key role in memory, learning, and decision-making, changes in their structure can make it harder to cope, stay focused, or feel motivated.

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Inside the brain, neurons (nerve cells) communicate through connections called synapses, using chemicals known as neurotransmitters. When depression or long-term stress takes hold, these connections can weaken or break down, reducing communication between brain cells.

Yet the brain has the ability to change and rebuild. This process is called neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s natural way of forming new connections and repairing those that have been damaged. For healing to happen, these connections need to be restored.

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This is where IV ketamine therapy can help. Ketamine enhances neuroplasticity, which allows the brain to rebuild the connections that depression has disrupted. As these connections strengthen, many people experience improvements in mood, clarity, and overall mental flexibility.

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A noticeable aspect of ketamine therapy is how quickly it can take effect. While standard medications often take several weeks to start working, people often begin to notice subtle improvements within the first few ketamine sessions.

 

Key Benefits of Ketamine for Depression

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Clinically Proven Outcomes
Many patients at our clinic report noticeable improvements in mood and emotional regulation after completing their initial ketamine treatment series. We track these changes using regular patient-reported outcome measures.
 

Fast Onset of Action
Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine acts quickly. Many people start to notice subtle improvements within their first few sessions, like less emotional heaviness or a return of motivation.

 

Repairs Damaged Brain Pathways
Chronic stress and depression can weaken the brain’s ability to function. Ketamine helps restore these pathways, making it easier to think clearly and feel more in control of your emotions.
 

Shifts Perspective
Many people experience a noticeable change in how they relate to their thoughts, memories, or sense of self. This new lens can promote healing and break the cycle of negative thinking.
 

What To Expect with IV Ketamine Therapy 

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Your Path to Healing

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1: Intake Assessment

When you’re ready to begin, complete our online intake form. Our team will carefully review your current and past history to ensure that ketamine infusion treatment is the right fit for you.

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2. Preparation

Ketamine therapy is a truly unique experience. Preparing your mind and body is key to maximizing its benefits. We’ll guide you with tips to cultivate a healthy mindset, set intentions and understand what to expect during your experience.

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3. The Journey

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We administer 6 treatments over a 3 to 6 week period, where you will receive up to 2 infusions a week. When you come into the clinic, you will be invited to a private and comfortable room in our cutting edge facility. We will help you get comfortable in a premium recliner with a blanket, noise cancelling head-phones and a music playlist. We’ll start an IV, and you’ll receive a continuous, low-dose infusion of ketamine for 60 minutes. We’ll customize your dosing and monitor your vitals at all times to ensure the highest level of safety and support.

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5. Integration

The ketamine experience can be profoundly healing for many people. Many people have reported feeling more connected to others, finding closure from their trauma, experiencing increased compassion, gaining new insights and more. A registered therapist will work closely with you to help you process each journey and integrate new insights into your daily life.

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6. Follow-Up

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Many of our patients choose to schedule regular booster infusions as part of their ongoing care to sustain the benefits of ketamine therapy. Those who actively integrate positive changes and apply the insights gained during treatment often find they need boosters less frequently. As every person’s needs are unique, our doctor will work closely with you to develop a personalized follow-up plan that aligns with your progress and long-term goals. ​​

 

Research Studies

 

Study: Berman, R. M., Cappiello, A., Anand, A., Oren, D. A., Heninger, G. R., Charney, D. S., & Krystal, J. H. (2000). Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients. Biological Psychiatry, 47(4), 351-354.

 

Summary: This study was among the first to show that a single dose of ketamine could rapidly reduce depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

 

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Study: Zarate, C. A. Jr., Singh, J. B., Carlson, P. J., Brutsche, N. E., Ameli, R., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Charney, D. S., & Manji, H. K. (2006). A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(8), 856-864.

 

Summary: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that a single dose of ketamine could produce rapid and significant antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

 

 

Study: Murrough, J. W., Iosifescu, D. V., Chang, L. C., Al Jurdi, R. K., Green, C. E., Perez, A. M., Iqbal, S., Pillemer, S., Foulkes, A., Shah, A., Charney, D. S., & Mathew, S. J. (2013). Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: a two-site randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(10), 1134-1142.

 

Summary: This randomized controlled trial demonstrated the rapid and robust antidepressant effects of ketamine compared to an active placebo in patients with treatment-resistant major depression.