Ketamine was FDA-approved in the 1960s. It has been used as a dissociative anesthetic and analgesic for decades. Ketamine is listed on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines, and ketamine infusions have been successfully used to treat both depression and anxiety, as well as PTSD, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain.

When used as an antidepressant, ketamine is given at a low dosage to prevent anesthetic effects. Ketamine infusions offer new hope for those suffering from depression who have tried everything else. Ketamine is a highly effective and successful drug that can treat some of the worst cases of depression.

Ketamine is best administered intravenously. As an infusion, the solution is 100% biologically available, allowing for the greatest chance of a successful treatment. There are other methods of administration that are generally considered less effective: intranasally, intramuscularly, orally, or sublingually.

Ketamine has been very successful and has been shown to offer symptom relief in over 70% of patients. ​Traditional antidepressants have a 40% success rate, and take weeks or months to have an effect. Each patient’s body and mind is different; no two patients are alike. Everybody will experience different results after receiving ketamine infusion treatment. Some patients feel an immediate shift in their attitude and mood for the better, while others feel the fog of depression lifting gradually. With such a high success rate, and relatively low risk, we are confident that most patients will find relief in a predicable amount of time.

Numerous studies have found ketamine infusions to be most effective when they are administered serially over a two-week period. We recommend a set of 4 to 6 infusions initially, followed by occasional maintenance infusions as needed.

As with most medications and drugs, ketamine can be abused in large doses recreationally. When used as a depression or mental health treatment, ketamine is administered in much smaller doses that are not physically addictive; this is a much smaller dose than recreational use. Each treatment is administered in our clinic under supervision, and we do not send our patients home with prescriptions for ketamine.

Before your first infusion, you’ll complete intake forms followed by an initial consultation to review your symptoms and medications.

Before Your Appointment: Avoid solid foods, soups, or pulpy juices for 6 hours prior. Arrive 15 minutes early and bring earbuds or headphones, as many patients listen to music during their infusion.

During Your Infusion: You’ll remain awake and alert throughout the process. We continuously monitor your heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Infusion times vary by condition, with infusions for depression lasting approximately 45 minutes and infusions for chronic pain lasting up to 4 hours.

Some patients experience nausea or mild, non-threatening hallucinations—both of which are manageable. Anti-nausea medication is available if needed, and we work to keep the environment as calm and comfortable as possible.

After Your Infusion: You’ll stay at the clinic for 30 minutes post-infusion for monitoring before being released to a friend or family member. Avoid operating heavy machinery for 24 hours following treatment.

All patients should consult their health care providers and should continue all their regular medications until they are instructed to do otherwise. Each patient’s medications are reviewed before receiving any infusions to ensure there are no potential interactions.

Our clinic is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Most of our patients come from the Roaring Fork Valley including Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood. Many patients also come from the Vail Valley: Vail, Edwards, Eagle, and Gypsum or other parts of Western Colorado like Grand Junction, Parachute, Rifle, Silt, and New Castle.  In addition, patients travel from all over the US to seek treatment in our clinic. There are great opportunities for rest, relaxation, and recreation in the area.

While TMS and ketamine are each effective on their own, combining them can produce results greater than either treatment alone, especially for treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine acts rapidly on the brain’s glutamate system, providing fast relief and encouraging the formation of new neural pathways. TMS then reinforces and sustains those changes by stimulating mood-regulating brain regions over time. Research shows CTK leads to significant, long-lasting symptom reduction—with some studies reporting remission sustained for one to two years—and a more favorable side effect profile compared to either therapy alone. Essentially, ketamine takes effect in the short term and TMS amplifies those effects for the long term, creating a powerful combination.

CTK Therapy is designed for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) who have not achieved adequate relief from medications, psychotherapy, or even TMS or ketamine as standalone treatments. It is also appropriate for those with complex mood disorders, comorbid anxiety, PTSD, or other conditions where both treatments have shown individual benefit. Patients who have had a partial response to one treatment may find that CTK bridges the gap to full or sustained remission. A comprehensive consultation is required to determine candidacy, as individual medical history, current medications, and health status all factor into whether CTK is the right approach.

CTK can be administered in several ways—sequentially or simultaneously. In a typical protocol, TMS is delivered first, followed by a ketamine infusion within the same treatment window. Sessions generally last 30–60 minutes total. Because ketamine is involved, you will need to fast beforehand and arrange for someone to drive you home, as ketamine causes temporary dissociation and sedation. You may experience mild, short-lived side effects such as nausea, dizziness, or visual distortions during the ketamine portion. Most patients find the experience manageable. Your provider will monitor you throughout and tailor the protocol to your needs and tolerance.

CTK has demonstrated a favorable safety profile in clinical studies, with most side effects being mild and brief—including occasional nausea, mild vertigo, and transient psychedelic experiences during ketamine infusion. Some studies report no adverse effects at all. When TMS and ketamine are combined, the overall tolerability is comparable to or better than either therapy alone. That said, CTK is administered under close medical supervision, and all patients undergo thorough screening beforehand. It is not appropriate for individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions, a history of psychosis, active substance use disorder, or contraindications to TMS such as metal implants near the head.