Ketamine for PTSD
For some adults with post-traumatic stress disorder, a licensed provider may consider ketamine within a structured, monitored plan — never as a guaranteed solution.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, this is an emergency. Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. Bravely Balanced is not an emergency service, and the candidate assessment is not a crisis intervention.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to a traumatic event and may involve intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, hypervigilance, and sleep disturbance. Standard care — trauma-focused psychotherapy and certain medications — helps many people, but not everyone responds adequately. For some adults, clinicians have explored ketamine as an additional option.
What the evidence suggests
Emerging evidence suggests ketamine may be associated with short-term reduction of PTSD symptoms in some individuals. Research is still developing, responses vary, and results are not guaranteed. Ketamine is used within a structured plan with required follow-up — not as a stand-alone or guaranteed fix.
Why evaluation comes first
PTSD care is highly individual. Bravely Balanced does not prescribe ketamine for PTSD without a thorough psychiatric evaluation, including your trauma history, co-occurring conditions, current medications, and safety considerations. Your provider determines whether ketamine may be considered or whether a different approach — such as trauma-focused therapy — is more appropriate.
Not a substitute for trauma therapy
Ketamine is not a replacement for trauma-focused psychotherapy, which remains a cornerstone of PTSD care. When ketamine is appropriate, it may be considered as part of a broader plan that can include therapy and ongoing psychiatric support.
Who may be considered
Ketamine for PTSD may be appropriate for certain adults whose symptoms have not responded adequately to standard approaches. Eligibility depends on your individual evaluation, safety screening, and clinical judgment.
What to expect
If your provider determines ketamine may be appropriate, you receive an individualized treatment plan delivered through secure telehealth, with at-home administration when appropriate. A structured safety framework, a support person, and required follow-up are part of care.
Not a cure, and not for everyone
Ketamine is not a cure for PTSD, and individual results vary. Some patients benefit; others do not. If ketamine is not appropriate, your provider will discuss alternatives and, when possible, referrals.
Important context about ketamine. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. The use of compounded racemic ketamine for psychiatric conditions is off-label, and compounded medications are not FDA-approved products. Compounded ketamine nasal spray is not the same as FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato®).
Treatment is not appropriate for everyone. A licensed clinician independently determines whether prescribing is appropriate. No prescription is guaranteed, and completing an assessment does not equal clinical eligibility.
About this page
- Written by:
- Bravely Balanced Clinical Education Team
- Medical review:
- Pending — this content has not yet been reviewed by a licensed clinician.
- Last updated:
- 2026-08-27
This page is educational and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. All treatment decisions are made by a licensed provider based on your individual evaluation.
Selected references for further reading
- Sanacora G, et al. A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74(4):399-405.
- American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with PTSD.
References are provided for educational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement.