Ketamine for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects millions of Americans, including veterans, first responders, and survivors of trauma. Ketamine therapy is showing promising results as a rapid-acting treatment for PTSD symptoms, including intrusive memories, hyperarousal, and avoidance behaviors.

How Ketamine Helps PTSD

Ketamine disrupts the reconsolidation of traumatic memories by blocking NMDA receptors during memory retrieval. This creates a window where traumatic associations can be weakened or rewritten. Combined with psychotherapy, this effect can produce lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms.

Clinical Evidence

• A 2021 randomized controlled trial showed ketamine significantly reduced PTSD symptom severity vs. midazolam control
• Veterans programs across the US are increasingly incorporating ketamine
• Response rates in PTSD studies range from 50–80% depending on protocol

Treatment Protocol

PTSD treatment with ketamine often involves 6 infusions paired with trauma-focused therapy. The ketamine session creates a state of heightened neuroplasticity that makes subsequent therapy more effective. Many clinics offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) specifically for trauma.

Finding a PTSD-Specialized Clinic

Use our directory to search for ketamine clinics that specialize in PTSD treatment. Filter by condition to find providers with specific expertise in trauma-focused ketamine therapy.