Ketamine as a Mental Health Treatment
AJN American Journal of Nursing – February 19, 2026
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ketamine shows remarkable promise for treating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with a clinical trial involving over 1,500 participants demonstrating significant improvements in symptoms. Initially approved as an anesthetic in 1970, the FDA sanctioned esketamine (Spravato) for major depressive disorder in 2019. Various administration methods, including intranasal and IV infusions, offer flexibility but also raise regulatory challenges. As mental health needs surge globally, understanding ketamine's role is crucial for healthcare professionals guiding patients through this evolving treatment landscape.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as a promising intervention for treatment-resistant mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. With rising global mental health burdens and the limitations of existing pharmacological treatments, ketamine's novel mechanism of action provides a potential alternative for individuals who have not responded to traditional therapies. Ketamine was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1970 for use as an anesthetic, and over the past two decades, has increasingly been investigated and used as an off-label treatment for mental health disorders. Additionally, the S-ketamine enantiomer of ketamine, esketamine (marketed as Spravato), received approval for treatment-resistant depression in 2019. Clinical applications of ketamine in the treatment of mental health disorders include intranasal administration (esketamine), IV infusions, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and at-home therapy, with varying levels of oversight. The current ketamine landscape has created a perfect storm in which the regulation of ketamine's use in mental health treatment remains fragmented, the evidence is constantly evolving, and a vulnerable population of individuals who are struggling with treatment-resistant mental health symptoms are desperate for relief. This article addresses these considerations by providing a foundation of clinical information that nurses should understand as they advise patients who are receiving, or curious about ketamine, as well as by discussing the regulatory, ethical, and nursing implications of using ketamine in the treatment of mental health disorders.