Ketamine Therapy in Santa Fe: What It Treats and What an At-Home Infusion Looks Like
Ketamine therapy is used for treatment-resistant depression and end-of-life anxiety. Here's how it works and what an at-home infusion involves.
Ketamine has moved from an anesthesia and emergency-room medication into a closely studied option for certain mental health and end-of-life symptoms, always under medical supervision and never as a recreational substance.
If you've searched "ketamine therapy near me," you're likely trying to understand whether it's a legitimate medical option or just a wellness trend. Here's a grounded look at what it is, who it may help, and what an at-home infusion involves in Santa Fe.
What Ketamine Is (and Isn't)
Ketamine was originally developed, and is still widely used today, as a surgical anesthetic — it's on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines for exactly that reason. At much lower, carefully monitored doses, it's now used off-label for certain cases of treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and specific pain conditions.
Two Primary Uses
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Can offer relief on a faster timeline than traditional antidepressants, for patients who haven't responded to SSRIs or talk therapy.
Anxiety & Pain
Eases terminal anxiety and certain types of pain near the end of life, as part of a broader end-of-life care plan.
Read more: A New Horizon: How Ketamine Is Rewiring Our Understanding of Mental Health and Finding Peace at Home: How Ketamine Infusions Can Ease End-of-Life Anxiety.
What to Expect During an At-Home Infusion
Every ketamine infusion begins with an eligibility and safety screening — not every patient is a good candidate, and that assessment happens before anything else is scheduled.
- Closely monitored, typically takes under an hour
- Someone must be present with you afterward — the medication can affect coordination and perception temporarily
- A follow-up conversation after the first infusion helps determine whether and when additional sessions make sense
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
Requires extra caution or may rule it out:
- Certain heart conditions
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Some psychiatric histories
This is a conversation to have directly with your provider, based on your specific medical history, not a decision to make from a search result.
How Ketamine Fits Into a Broader Care Plan
Ketamine is rarely the only piece of a treatment plan. For mental health concerns, it's typically considered alongside, not instead of, other treatments like therapy and medication management through your primary care team. For end-of-life care, it's one option among several, alongside symptom management, Harmony and Healing, and ongoing coordination with your hospice team.
Common Questions
Is ketamine therapy legal and safe when medically supervised?
Yes, when administered by trained medical professionals who screen for contraindications and monitor you throughout, which is how our team approaches every infusion.
How many sessions are typically needed?
It varies by condition and individual response; your provider will discuss a starting plan and adjust based on how you respond after the first infusion.
Will I be able to drive myself home afterward?
No, you should arrange for someone to be with you after the infusion, since ketamine can temporarily affect coordination and perception.
Is this the same as ketamine used recreationally?
No, medical ketamine therapy involves carefully controlled, low doses administered and monitored by a trained provider in a clinical context — a very different situation from unsupervised recreational use.
Can ketamine therapy be combined with my current antidepressant or therapy plan?
Often yes, your provider will review your current treatment plan and coordinate rather than asking you to stop what is already working.
What does the eligibility screening cost?
The initial evaluation is billed at our standard visit rates; see our fee schedule for current pricing before you commit to a full treatment plan.
Think Ketamine Therapy Might Be Right for You?
Schedule a visit to discuss eligibility directly with one of our providers, for depression or end-of-life anxiety.
