Ketamine Therapy for PTSD in Charlotte, NC
Post-traumatic stress disorder can persist for years, even with good therapy and medication. If standard treatments have not brought the relief you hoped for, ketamine therapy may be worth understanding. At our clinic in Charlotte, NC, a physician evaluates every patient first to determine whether this approach is reasonable and safe for your situation.
What PTSD Is and Why Standard Treatments Sometimes Fall Short
PTSD can develop after a single traumatic event or prolonged exposure to threat. Its hallmarks include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and heightened arousal such as being easily startled. First line care typically combines trauma focused psychotherapy with SSRIs. These help many people. For others, symptoms remain disruptive. When that happens, a treatment that works through a different mechanism becomes worth considering.
A Different Mechanism
Ketamine acts on the glutamate system and NMDA receptors, supporting synaptic plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form new connections. Some researchers think this may create a window in which the brain is more receptive to change, which is one reason ketamine is often paired with therapy. Our overview of how ketamine therapy works explains the biology in accessible terms.
What the Evidence Shows
- An early randomized controlled trial reported that a single ketamine infusion produced a rapid reduction in PTSD symptom severity compared with an active control (Feder et al., 2014).
- A later randomized controlled trial found that repeated ketamine infusions reduced symptom severity in people with chronic PTSD over a two week course (Feder et al., 2021).
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense maintain clinical practice guidelines for PTSD that review the evidence for emerging treatments and emphasize trauma focused therapy as a foundation (VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline).
This research is encouraging and still developing. Ketamine does not help everyone with PTSD, and we present it as one option among several rather than a standalone answer.
What Treatment Looks Like for PTSD
PTSD protocols commonly begin with a short series of infusions over about two weeks, with maintenance sessions spaced afterward based on your response. Because trauma responds well to integration, we encourage pairing infusions with trauma focused therapy from your own therapist or a referral. A clinician monitors your vital signs during each session. See our what to expect page for a step by step walk through.
Realistic Outcomes
In published studies, a portion of participants with PTSD experienced a meaningful reduction in symptom severity following ketamine, sometimes quickly. Results vary, benefits can fade without maintenance, and some people do not respond. We will be candid with you about what is realistic.
Safety and Screening
Our physician reviews your medical and psychiatric history, including any dissociative symptoms, before recommending treatment, because ketamine is not appropriate for everyone. Vital signs are monitored during infusions, and you rest in a supervised recovery period afterward. This is why every patient starts with a consultation.
A Calm Next Step
If PTSD has not eased with standard care, a conversation with a physician is a low pressure way to learn whether ketamine fits your needs. You may also find it helpful to read about ketamine for anxiety or browse the FAQ.
Common Questions About PTSD
Can ketamine help PTSD even if therapy has not?
It may. In published trials, repeated ketamine infusions reduced PTSD symptom severity for a portion of participants. Ketamine is often most useful alongside trauma focused therapy rather than as a replacement for it. We discuss how to combine approaches during your consultation.
Will the infusion make me relive my trauma?
Ketamine sessions are not the same as exposure therapy. Most patients describe a calm, dreamlike state rather than vivid trauma memories. A clinician monitors you throughout. We talk through what to expect so there are no surprises.
How many sessions are typical for PTSD?
Research protocols for PTSD have often used a series of infusions over a couple of weeks, followed by spaced maintenance. The right number for you depends on your history and response, which we assess together.
Is ketamine for PTSD FDA approved?
No. Ketamine use for PTSD is off label. Ketamine is FDA approved as an anesthetic. We are transparent about this and base our protocols on the peer reviewed research that exists.