The Full FAQ

The first step is to call Nashville Ketamine Center or request a consultation through the website. We will answer your initial questions, discuss whether a consultation is the appropriate next step, and help you understand what to expect.

For many patients, yes. If ketamine treatment appears appropriate after your psychiatric evaluation and you choose to move forward, treatment can often begin the same day as your consultation.

Bring a list of your current medications, relevant psychiatric and medical history, and any questions you want to discuss. If you have prior treatment records that are easy to access, they may be helpful, but they are not required for every patient.

Yes. We understand that beginning ketamine treatment can feel like a significant decision. You are welcome to call with questions before scheduling.

You arrive, check in, and settle into a private room. Ketamine is given as an intramuscular injection. Effects begin within minutes and last about 40 to 60 minutes. You are monitored throughout and recover in the office before leaving with a designated driver.

Ketamine affects each person somewhat differently, but most people remain aware that they are in the treatment room and recognize the people around them. Some people experience vivid imagery or a dreamlike state, while others simply feel deeply relaxed, reflective, or detached from their usual patterns of thinking.

Although the experience can sometimes feel unusual, most patients continue to understand where they are and know that the effects are temporary. Throughout your treatment, you will be monitored by experienced medical staff who are present to help you feel safe and comfortable.

There is no "right" way to experience ketamine treatment. Every person's experience is unique, and our role is to provide a safe, supportive environment while allowing the experience to unfold naturally.

Many patients tell us afterward that the experience was much gentler and less intimidating than they expected.

Not in the way many people imagine.

Ketamine affects each person somewhat differently, but most patients remain aware that they are in the treatment room and recognize the people around them. Some people experience vivid imagery or a dreamlike state, while others simply feel deeply relaxed, reflective, or detached from their usual patterns of thinking.

Although the experience can sometimes feel unusual, most patients continue to understand where they are and know that the effects are temporary. Throughout your treatment, you will be monitored by experienced medical staff who are present to help you feel safe and comfortable.

There is no "right" way to experience ketamine treatment. Every person's experience is unique, and our role is to provide a safe, supportive environment while allowing the experience to unfold naturally.

Many patients tell us afterward that the experience was much gentler and less intimidating than they expected.

Most patients do best simply resting, listening to calming music, and allowing the experience to unfold without trying to direct it. We provide a quiet, supportive environment and are present if anything feels uncomfortable.

Avoid food for about 4 hours before treatment. Clear liquids are typically allowed up to 2 hours prior. Plan for about 90 minutes in-office time. Avoid driving or major decision-making until the next day.

Yes. You cannot drive after treatment and should arrange transportation in advance.

Most patients prefer to take the rest of the day off. You will usually feel fully back to baseline within a few hours, but the time needed for mental recalibration varies.

Clinical studies and real-world experience suggest that approximately 70% of patients experience meaningful improvement, although no treatment works for everyone. Some people notice improvement rapidly, while others experience more gradual change over the course of an initial series of treatments.

Throughout treatment, we'll continually assess how you're responding and discuss whether continuing treatment makes sense. Our goal is always to help you make thoughtful, individualized decisions about your care.

One of the unique aspects of ketamine is that some people begin noticing improvement within hours or days rather than the several weeks often associated with traditional antidepressants. For many patients, however, the most meaningful improvement develops gradually over the course of an initial series of treatments rather than after a single treatment.

There is no single pattern of response, and each person's experience is different.

I get asked this question frequently, and after nearly a decade and a half of treating people with ketamine, I can comfortably say, "I don't know for sure."

Some patients experience relief that lasts only a couple of weeks, while many continue to feel better for months following their initial series of treatments. Some patients never need another treatment, while others benefit from occasional maintenance treatments over time.

The duration of improvement varies from person to person, so recommendations regarding maintenance treatment are always individualized and based on your response rather than a predetermined schedule.

Some patients experience lasting improvement following an initial series of treatments, while others benefit from periodic maintenance treatments over time.

There is no standard schedule. Recommendations are individualized and based on your symptoms, your response to treatment, and your goals for care. Together, we'll determine what approach makes the most sense for your particular situation.

The initial psychiatric evaluation is $600. Each ketamine treatment is $550. Most patients begin with a series of six treatments over approximately two weeks, although recommendations are individualized based on your history, response, and goals.

We will review the recommended treatment plan and the expected cost before you begin, so you are not trying to make that decision without clear information.

Nashville Ketamine Center is a self-pay practice for ketamine treatment and does not bill insurance directly. Ketamine treatment for depression and related conditions is often not covered by insurance, and coverage varies widely by plan.

If your insurance plan allows out-of-network reimbursement, we can provide documentation you may submit to your insurer. Reimbursement is not guaranteed.

The consultation includes a psychiatric evaluation with Dr. Barton focused on whether ketamine treatment is a safe and appropriate option for your particular situation. We will review your symptoms, treatment history, relevant medical and medication history, goals for care, and practical questions about treatment.

For many patients, if ketamine appears appropriate and you choose to move forward, the first treatment can often begin the same day.

We will be straightforward about the expected cost of care before treatment begins. Because recommendations are individualized, the best starting point is to understand whether ketamine is appropriate and what treatment plan makes sense clinically.

If cost is a concern, please tell us. We would rather discuss it openly than have you feel uncertain or pressured.

When ketamine is administered in an appropriate medical setting and patients are carefully screened and monitored, it has an excellent safety record. In fact, ketamine has been used safely in medicine for more than fifty years.

Like any medical treatment, ketamine is not appropriate for everyone. During your psychiatric evaluation, we'll review your medical and psychiatric history to determine whether ketamine is a safe and appropriate treatment option for your particular situation.

Throughout each treatment, you'll be monitored by experienced medical staff, and your safety and comfort remain our highest priorities.

When ketamine is used in a carefully monitored medical setting for the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions, the risk of developing addiction is extremely low.

Ketamine can be misused outside of medical settings, which is one of the reasons treatment should always occur under appropriate medical supervision. Our goal is to use ketamine thoughtfully, safely, and only when it is medically appropriate.

Most side effects are temporary and resolve within an hour or two. These may include mild dissociation or dizziness, nausea, headache, or brief increases in blood pressure. Serious adverse effects are uncommon in appropriately screened patients.

Most patients are able to continue taking their current medications during ketamine treatment. However, some medications may affect ketamine's effectiveness or require special consideration.

During your consultation, Dr. Barton will carefully review your current medications and discuss whether any adjustments are recommended before treatment begins. You should never stop or change a prescribed medication without first discussing it with your physician.

Ketamine is most commonly used for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder. It may also be considered for bipolar depression during the depressive phase, PTSD symptoms linked to mood dysregulation, anxiety when it is driven by depressive patterns, and suicidal thinking as an acute symptom rather than a standalone diagnosis. It is not appropriate for primary psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

Ketamine is often considered when traditional treatments have not provided adequate relief. Some patients come after years of unsuccessful medication trials or psychotherapy. Others come earlier because they are looking for a treatment that works differently, may act more quickly, or has a different side effect profile than many traditional medications. Whether ketamine is appropriate depends on your individual situation.

Yes. In fact, ketamine can be an excellent treatment option for individuals experiencing the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.

One of the reasons psychiatrists have become increasingly interested in ketamine for bipolar depression is that, unlike many traditional antidepressants, ketamine does not appear to carry the same risk of triggering a manic episode. While careful evaluation is still essential, this makes ketamine a particularly valuable option for many people living with bipolar disorder.

As with any treatment for bipolar disorder, a careful psychiatric evaluation is important. During your consultation, Dr. Barton will review your history and current symptoms to determine whether ketamine is an appropriate option for your particular situation.

Research suggests that ketamine may be helpful for many individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and we have treated many patients whose trauma-related symptoms have improved with ketamine therapy.

PTSD is often more than the memory of a traumatic event. It can affect mood, anxiety, sleep, emotional regulation, and the ability to feel safe in everyday life.

Whether ketamine is appropriate depends on your individual history, symptoms, and treatment goals.

Although ketamine is best known for treating depression, many patients also experience meaningful improvement in anxiety symptoms. This is especially true to the degree that an individual's anxiety is related to, or caused by, depression or a trauma-related condition.

Because anxiety can arise from many different causes, the degree of improvement varies from person to person. During your evaluation, we'll discuss your symptoms and whether ketamine appears to be an appropriate treatment option.

Although ketamine can be remarkably helpful for many people, it is not appropriate for everyone.

Certain medical conditions, uncontrolled hypertension, active psychosis, some substance use disorders, pregnancy, or other medical or psychiatric factors may make ketamine treatment inappropriate or require additional evaluation before proceeding.

Determining whether ketamine is appropriate begins with a careful psychiatric evaluation and discussion of your medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals.