Depression
why choose us
Ketamine Infusions for Depression
At Lone Star Infusion, we provide ketamine infusion therapy as a highly effective treatment option for depression—including bipolar depression, postpartum depression, and related mood disorders. Ketamine can be especially helpful for individuals with treatment-resistant depression or those experiencing acute symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts.
Ketamine and Depression
Understanding Depression
Depression affects millions of people every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 20 Americans aged 12 and older report moderate or severe depressive symptoms, and about 3% experience severe depression.
Whether symptoms are new or part of a lifelong struggle, depression can profoundly impact daily life. It often makes even basic tasks—getting out of bed, staying productive, or maintaining relationships—feel overwhelming. Depression is also linked to other health conditions and an increased risk of mortality.
Challenges of Traditional Treatments
Depression can have many causes and present with a wide range of symptoms. Because the biological mechanisms behind depression are still not fully understood, finding the right treatment can be difficult.
Common therapies such as talk therapy, SSRIs, lithium, benzodiazepines, TMS, and ECT may help some people, but they often take weeks to work and can cause significant side effects. Many patients find that their symptoms persist despite trying several of these options.
How Ketamine Helps?
Ketamine infusions offer a new and faster-acting approach to treating depression. Unlike traditional medications, ketamine can often provide noticeable relief within hours rather than weeks.
Studies show that between 50% and 80% of patients experience meaningful improvement after even one infusion. At Lone Star Infusion, we see positive results in nearly 70% of our patients—an especially strong outcome given the wide variety of conditions and treatment schedules we manage.
Ketamine Treatments
At Lone Star Infusion, the most effective infusion option for treating psychiatric symptoms — including depression, bipolar depression, postpartum depression, PTSD, and anxiety — is typically a one-hour low-dose ketamine infusion.
The Infusion Process
Each infusion session includes about 40 minutes of active infusion followed by a 20-minute active recovery period before you are ready to go home. In total, patients spend approximately an hour and a half in the office for each visit.
Our low-dose infusions generally begin at 0.5 mg/kg/hr and may be adjusted based on individual response. Many patients describe the experience as feeling “floaty” or as if they are lightly floating or drifting. Mild visual changes or brief perceptual shifts can occur but typically fade quickly once the infusion ends. Our team works carefully to ensure each patient remains comfortable and supported throughout the experience.
Safety and Monitoring
While serious side effects are rare, your safety is our highest priority. All infusions are administered by an anesthesiologist or anesthetist under continuous monitoring. We maintain safety equipment and protocols consistent with best practices in office-based anesthesia and Texas Medical Board regulations.
You will be monitored closely during the infusion and recovery period, and you’ll be cleared to go home once you are fully alert and stable.
Treatment Frequency and Maintenance
A series of infusions, followed by maintenance treatments, tends to provide the greatest and most sustained relief. Each infusion builds upon the previous one, helping reinforce and extend the therapeutic effects.
We typically begin with a series of six infusions, administered once or twice per week over several weeks. After completing the initial series, many patients transition to maintenance treatments every 3 to 5 weeks, with the goal of gradually extending the time between infusions as symptoms remain stable.
Personalized Care
Every patient’s treatment plan is unique. The number and frequency of infusions depend on individual factors such as:
- The severity of symptoms
- The patient’s response to treatment
- Any other medications being used
- Overall health and treatment goals
Our team works closely with each patient to develop a customized plan designed to achieve long-term relief and improved quality of life.
We are Here for You
A Path Toward Relief
If you or a loved one is struggling with depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments, ketamine therapy may offer a new path toward healing and stability.
To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact Lone Star Infusion today.