Our mission
Helping Canadians Find Hope Through Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy Canada was founded with a single purpose: to make it easier for people living with treatment-resistant mental health conditions to find the care they deserve.
We are an independent, patient-focused resource. We do not sell treatments, accept referral fees, or favour any clinic. Every listing in our directory is reviewed by our team before going live.
Independent & Unbiased
We have no financial relationship with any clinic. Our only goal is to give patients accurate, trustworthy information.
Patient-First
Every decision we make is guided by what is best for patients and their families navigating a complex healthcare landscape.
Evidence-Based
All educational content on this site is grounded in peer-reviewed research and reviewed for clinical accuracy.
Understanding the treatment
How Ketamine Therapy Works
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that has been used safely in medicine for over 50 years. In sub-anaesthetic doses, it has shown remarkable results for people whose depression, anxiety, or chronic pain has not responded to conventional treatments.
The Science Behind It
Unlike traditional antidepressants that target serotonin or dopamine, ketamine works primarily on the glutamate system — the brain's most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. It blocks NMDA receptors, triggering a rapid release of glutamate that promotes the growth of new synaptic connections.
This neuroplasticity effect — sometimes called "synaptogenesis" — is believed to be why many patients experience relief within hours or days of treatment, rather than the weeks or months required by conventional antidepressants.
IV Ketamine Infusion
The most common and well-studied form. Ketamine is delivered intravenously over 40–60 minutes in a clinical setting, allowing precise dosing and immediate medical oversight. Typically administered as a series of 6 infusions over 2–3 weeks.
Esketamine (Spravato)
A Health Canada–approved nasal spray containing esketamine, a derivative of ketamine. Administered in a certified clinic with 2-hour monitoring. Approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Combines ketamine infusion with psychotherapy sessions before, during, and after treatment. The dissociative state induced by ketamine can enhance openness and therapeutic insight, making it particularly effective for PTSD and trauma.
Who it can help
Conditions Ketamine Therapy May Treat
Ketamine therapy is typically considered when at least two other treatments have not provided adequate relief. It is not a first-line treatment, but for many patients it offers hope when other options have been exhausted.
Treatment-Resistant Depression
The most studied indication. Clinical trials show 50–70% of patients experience significant improvement.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Ketamine's ability to promote neuroplasticity may help disrupt entrenched trauma responses.
Anxiety Disorders
Including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder that have not responded to first-line treatments.
Bipolar Depression
May provide rapid relief during depressive episodes, though careful psychiatric oversight is essential.
Chronic Pain
Including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain conditions.
Suicidal Ideation
Ketamine has shown a uniquely rapid anti-suicidal effect, sometimes within hours of a single infusion.
The process
What to Expect
Referral & Assessment
Most Canadian clinics require a referral from a psychiatrist or family physician. You will undergo a thorough psychiatric and medical assessment to confirm you are a suitable candidate.
Treatment Series
A standard course is 6 IV infusions over 2–3 weeks. Each session lasts 40–60 minutes. You will be monitored throughout and should arrange a ride home, as driving is not permitted for 24 hours.
Integration & Follow-up
Many clinics recommend psychotherapy alongside treatment to help integrate insights. Maintenance infusions (every 4–8 weeks) may be recommended to sustain results.
Safety & considerations
Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?
When administered by trained medical professionals in a clinical setting, ketamine therapy has a well-established safety record. It has been used in medicine since the 1960s and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
Side effects during infusion can include dissociation, perceptual changes, nausea, and elevated blood pressure. These are temporary and resolve shortly after the infusion ends. Serious adverse events are rare when proper screening and monitoring protocols are followed.
Who Should Not Use Ketamine Therapy
- Active or history of psychosis or schizophrenia
- Uncontrolled hypertension or cardiovascular disease
- Active substance use disorder (particularly dissociatives)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Certain thyroid conditions
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find a Clinic?
Browse our directory of verified Canadian ketamine therapy clinics and take the first step toward relief.