Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a treatment approach that combines the use of ketamine, a medication originally developed as an anesthetic, with psychotherapy. In this method, ketamine is administered in a controlled setting. The drug induces altered states of consciousness, which can help clients access deep emotional insights and reduce symptoms of mental health conditions.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is designed to help people who have not found improvement with standard treatments or who wish to deepen the effects of traditional talk therapy. Before beginning this therapy, a healthcare professional must conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the treatment is safe and appropriate for the individual’s specific situation.

Ketamine targets the brain’s glutamate system, boosting neural connections and neuroplasticity for rapid mood and cognitive improvements, often within hours or days. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks, it enhances emotional openness and reduces symptoms like fear, trauma, and negative thoughts, especially when combined with psychotherapy.