Does ketamine for depression really work? — official sources, treatment limitations and questions to discuss with a licensed clinician.
What the 2023 ELEKT-D trial found
A randomized trial compared IV ketamine with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adults with nonpsychotic treatment-resistant major depression. Ketamine met the trial’s noninferiority criterion for response in this selected population. That does not mean it is appropriate for every person with depression, is superior to all established treatments, or has the same evidence for anxiety, PTSD or chronic pain.
Important limitations
The trial was open-label and used a selected population and defined treatment schedule. Acute response is not a guarantee of lasting benefit. Ongoing care, relapse risk and adverse effects require discussion with a licensed physician. ECT and ketamine have different clinical uses and risks; a directory cannot choose between them for you.
South Carolina treatment questions
Clinics in Columbia, Greenville and the Charleston area describe different programs. Ask which medication and route they offer at the particular office, who evaluates your history, how response is measured and what happens if treatment does not help. Ketamine for depression is off-label; Spravato is a different medication with specific approved adult indications.
Read the peer-reviewed ELEKT-D study and our research library.
Source checked November 3, 2026. Editorial summary, not medical advice or a clinical recommendation.
This page is informational and is not medical advice.