Ketamine as a Mental Health Treatment
AJN American Journal of Nursing February 19, 2026 Liz Braun, Alison Colbert
Ketamine, initially approved as an anesthetic in 1970, is increasingly used off-label for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Its S-enantiomer, esketamine (Spravato), received FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression in 2019. Clinical applications include intranasal esketamine, IV infusions, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and at-home therapy, with varying oversight. The regulatory landscape remains fragmented, evidence is evolving, and vulnerable patients seek relief. This article provides clinical information for nurses advising patients about ketamine and discusses regulatory, ethical, and nursing implications.