Telehealth ketamine therapy provider Mindbloom is facing a wrongful-death lawsuit after a 27-year-old male patient died from ketamine toxicity in October 2023, allegedly while under Mindbloom’s at-home treatment program. The lawsuit contends that the company failed to properly screen the patient—who had a documented history of substance-use disorder and hypertension—and did not follow through with required follow-up monitoring once he missed mandated check-ins. The patient’s family argues that, despite Mindbloom’s public claim that none of its ~60,000 patients had ever overdosed, this case marks a tragic exception. Mindbloom, while expressing sympathy for the death, denies negligence and asserts its care protocols are supported by peer-reviewed research and numerous prior treatments.
For over 50 years, ketamine has been known as a safe anesthetic, and at lower doses, an effective treatment for depression. Emerging research suggests it may also enhance cognition and neuroplasticity, offering hope for patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and brain injury. Animal studies show ketamine promotes synaptogenesis and improved memory, while human research remains limited. Combining ketamine with cognitive rehabilitation may enable not only symptom relief but also potential restoration of lost cognitive function.
A retrospective study of 153 patients with severe treatment-resistant depression found that twice-weekly IV ketamine over 4–5 weeks led to faster and greater symptom reduction than intranasal esketamine, with overall tolerability similar. IV ketamine produced significant improvement after the first session, while IN esketamine’s effects emerged after the second. Final depression scores decreased 49.8% with IV ketamine versus 39.5% with IN esketamine. Dropout rates and side effects were comparable, highlighting both as valuable neuropsychiatric tools.
A four-year Cleveland Clinic study of 1,034 patients found that low-dose ketamine infusions significantly improved pain, sleep, and daily function for 20%–46% of people with chronic pain, with benefits lasting up to six months. Nearly half reported reduced pain-related anxiety, and 80% returned for repeat treatments. The therapy was safe, with rare side effects. Researchers say ketamine offers a promising, non-opioid option for chronic pain management and may pave the way for future FDA approval.
A Cleveland Clinic study found that low-dose IV ketamine infusions are safe and effective for chronic pain management. Among more than 1,000 patients, 20%–46% saw lasting improvements in pain, physical function, and sleep for at least six months, with minimal side effects. Nearly half reported reduced pain-related anxiety, and 80% returned for additional treatments. Researchers say ketamine offers a promising, non-opioid option for patients with chronic pain who have exhausted other therapies.
Ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment for suicidal ideation (SI) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), showing rapid and sustained reductions in suicidality. Studies from 2020–2025 found IV ketamine and esketamine significantly decreased SI for days to weeks, with early responders showing lower suicide risk at three months. While its mechanisms—such as reduced lateral habenula activity—are still being studied, ketamine must be used alongside therapy, monitoring, and comprehensive psychiatric care to ensure safety and effectiveness.
A new Journal of Clinical Psychiatry study from the Mayo Clinic found that ketamine and esketamine treatment can significantly reduce emergency department visits related to suicidality in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Researchers reviewed records of 97 patients and compared the six months before treatment with the six months after. They found an 84% drop in visits for suicidal thoughts and a 63% drop in overall suicidality-related visits. The findings suggest that ketamine offers not only rapid relief for depressive symptoms but also a sustained reduction in crisis-driven hospital use.
This study followed 135 patients with severe depression—110 with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD) and 25 with treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD)—who had already responded to an initial course of ketamine infusions. Researchers wanted to know if continuing with maintenance infusions could help sustain improvements.
Results showed that patients maintained lower depression and suicidality scores over weeks to months, with many reporting lasting relief. On average, people stayed well longer than what has typically been seen with short-term or one-time ketamine treatments. Importantly, no cases of addiction or serious safety issues were reported, although one bipolar patient did experience a switch into mania after long-term treatment.
Overall, the findings suggest that maintenance ketamine can be a safe and effective option for extending the benefits of ketamine in people with difficult-to-treat depression—though the authors note more controlled research is needed to strengthen these results
This study looked at whether ketamine could help people struggling with long-term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thirty participants received either six ketamine infusions or a placebo over two weeks. The results were striking—about two-thirds of those who received ketamine had a major reduction in their PTSD symptoms, compared to only one in five in the placebo group. On average, improvements lasted close to a month after treatment. Ketamine was also found to be safe and well-tolerated.
This is the first controlled trial showing that repeated ketamine treatments can bring meaningful relief for people living with chronic PTSD, though more research is needed to figure out how to make the benefits last longer.
At Charleston Ketamine Center, we often meet patients who have tried everything, yet still struggle with depression, PTSD, anxiety, or chronic pain such as migraines. For those who haven’t found relief through traditional treatments, ketamine therapy offers a new path toward healing.
But how does ketamine work? And why is it considered such a powerful option for treatment-resistant conditions? Let’s explore the science behind this therapy.
A Different Pathway in the Brain
Most antidepressants work by gradually increasing certain brain chemicals, like serotonin, which can take several weeks to have an effect. Ketamine works in a different, much faster way. Instead of focusing on serotonin, it targets another chemical in the brain called glutamate, which plays a major role in mood, memory, and brain cell communication.
When ketamine is given, it helps create a burst of activity in the brain that encourages new connections between brain cells. This process is thought to help “reset” parts of the brain affected by depression and stress,offering relief more quickly than traditional medications. It’s one of the reasons why ketamine can be so helpful for people who haven’t found success with other treatments.
An Impactful Therapy
One of the most remarkable aspects of ketamine is its speed. Many patients begin to feel relief within hours or days, rather than the weeks it typically takes with standard antidepressants. While ketamine is not a cure, it can create a powerful window of relief and allows patients to re-engage with therapy, relationships, and daily life.
When administered in a safe, clinical setting like Charleston Ketamine Center, treatment is closely monitored by trained medical professionals. For depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain, ketamine is typically given as a series of low-dose infusions over several weeks, with maintenance options available based on individual response.
Is Ketamine Right for You?
If you or a loved one is living with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, or chronic pain, and traditional options haven’t worked, ketamine therapy may offer new hope. At Charleston Ketamine Center, we’re committed to providing compassionate, science-backed care in a safe and supportive environment.
Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation. The path to healing might be closer than you think.
