For millions of individuals, the journey through mental health care is a winding road of trials, errors, and exhaustion. If you have spent years cycling through various antidepressants and talking therapies with little to no relief, you are likely suffering from what clinicians call “treatment-resistant depression.” However, a breakthrough in psychiatric medicine is offering new hope. We are proud to offer ketamine therapy UK, a revolutionary approach designed to help those for whom standard treatments have fallen short.
At our private ketamine clinic London, we understand that mental health is not a one-size-fits-all discipline. We specialize in ketamine mental health treatment, providing a safe, compassionate, and medically supervised environment. Whether you are battling severe depressive episodes, anxiety disorders, or chronic pain, our evidence-based protocols are tailored to facilitate deep healing and neurobiological recovery.
Understanding the Science: How Ketamine Treatment Works
To understand why ketamine for depression is so effective, it is essential to understand how it differs from traditional medication. Most standard antidepressants (SSRIs) work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. While effective for many, they do not work for everyone and can take weeks or months to show results.
How ketamine treatment works for depression is fundamentally different. Ketamine targets the glutamate system—the brain’s most prominent neurotransmitter system, responsible for mood regulation, learning, and memory. By blocking specific NMDA receptors, ketamine triggers a rapid surge in glutamate production. This process stimulates “neuroplasticity,” essentially helping the brain to repair damaged neural connections and form new pathways. This is often described as a “reset” for the brain, allowing patients to break free from the rigid, negative thought patterns characteristic of severe depression.
This unique mechanism is why ketamine assisted therapy for depression UK is gaining recognition as one of the most significant developments in psychiatry in decades.

Our Treatment Modalities: Infusions and Esketamine
At our ketamine clinic UK, we offer different modes of administration suited to individual medical needs and preferences. Understanding the landscape of ketamine vs esketamine treatment UK is vital for making an informed choice.
1. Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy is widely considered the gold standard for bioavailability and precision. Administered intravenously (IV) in a controlled setting, this method allows our clinicians to deliver 100% of the medication directly into the bloodstream. The dosage is meticulously calculated based on body weight and response. During ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain UK or depression, patients remain awake but relaxed. The infusion rate can be adjusted instantly if any side effects occur, ensuring a comfortable experience. This method is often preferred for those with severe treatment resistant depression or complex pain conditions like Fibromyalgia or CRPS.
2. Esketamine Nasal Spray Treatment
We also offer esketamine nasal spray treatment UK (commonly known by the brand name Spravato). Esketamine is a derivative of ketamine (the S-enantiomer) and is the only form currently licensed specifically for use as an antidepressant. Esketamine treatment UK is administered intranasally under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Patients self-administer the spray in our clinic and are monitored for a set period afterwards. It is typically prescribed in conjunction with an oral antidepressant to boost efficacy.
Safety, Legality, and MHRA Regulation
A common concern among new patients revolves around safety and legality. Is ketamine legal for medical use in the UK? The answer is a definitive yes, provided it is prescribed by a specialist doctor and administered in a regulated medical setting.
We pride ourselves on being a fully MHRA regulated ketamine treatment UK provider. This means we adhere to the strictest standards of clinical governance set by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. We do not support recreational use; we provide medically supervised ketamine therapy UK. Every patient undergoes a rigorous screening process, including a review of medical history and consultation with a psychiatrist, to ensure they are a suitable candidate.
Safety is our paramount concern. While ketamine therapy side effects UK guidelines indicate that the medication is generally well-tolerated, we monitor your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels) throughout every session.
Ketamine Assisted Therapy: Integrating the Experience
The medication is only half of the equation. We believe deeply in the power of ketamine assisted therapy. The dissociative experience caused by ketamine can bring up subconscious thoughts, memories, or emotions. Without support, these can be confusing; with support, they become transformative.
Our ketamine assisted therapy for depression UK protocols involve “integration sessions” with psychotherapists. These sessions help patients process the insights gained during their treatment, turning temporary relief into lasting behavioral change. This holistic approach ensures that ketamine treatment UK acts as a catalyst for long-term mental wellness, rather than just a temporary biochemical fix.
Who Can Benefit?
Our services are specifically designed for complex cases. You may be a candidate for ketamine treatment for treatment resistant depression UK if:
- You have tried at least two different antidepressants without success.
- You struggle with suicidal ideation (ketamine is known for rapidly reducing suicidal thoughts).
- You suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) or OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).
- You are dealing with neuropathic pain that has not responded to standard painkillers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is ketamine legal for medical use in the UK?
Yes, is ketamine legal for medical use in the UK is one of our most frequent queries. Ketamine is a Schedule 2 controlled drug. However, it is legal for doctors to prescribe it “off-label” for depression and pain, or “on-label” (in the case of Esketamine) within registered medical clinics. Our ketamine clinic UK operates in full compliance with UK law and medical guidelines. - How exactly does ketamine treatment for treatment resistant depression UK differ from standard care?
Standard care usually involves daily oral medications that build up slowly. Ketamine treatment for treatment resistant depression UK offers a rapid-acting alternative. By targeting the NMDA receptors and glutamate, it improves neural connectivity. Many patients who have felt “numb” or “stuck” for years report a lifting of the “fog” after just 1-3 sessions. - What happens during a session at your private ketamine clinic London?
When you arrive at our private ketamine clinic London, you will be settled into a comfortable, private room. For ketamine infusion therapy, a small cannula is placed in your arm. The infusion lasts about 40 minutes for depression (longer for pain). You may listen to calming music. A nurse monitors you the entire time. After the infusion, you rest for roughly 30 minutes until you feel ready to leave. You must arrange for someone to drive you home. - What are the common ketamine therapy side effects UK?
Ketamine therapy side effects UK are typically mild and transient, occurring only during or immediately after the treatment. They may include:
- Dissociation (feeling detached from your body).
- Mild nausea (we can provide anti-nausea medication).
- Dizziness or blurred vision.
- A temporary increase in blood pressure. These effects usually resolve within an hour of stopping the treatment.
- How does ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain UK differ from depression treatment?
Ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain UK generally requires higher doses and longer infusion times (often up to 4 hours) compared to mental health treatments. The goal with pain is to desensitise the central nervous system’s pain receptors. It is often used for CRPS, Fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. - Is there a difference between ketamine vs esketamine treatment UK?
Yes. In the ketamine vs esketamine treatment UK comparison:
- Ketamine (IV): A mixture of two molecules (racemic). It is generic, often cheaper, has 100% absorption, but is used “off-label.”
- Esketamine (Nasal): Only the S-molecule. It is FDA/MHRA approved specifically for depression, covered by some insurances, but has lower absorption than IV. Our doctors will help you decide which is best for your physiology.
- How many sessions of ketamine mental health treatment will I need?
A typical “induction” course consists of 6 sessions over a period of 2-3 weeks. This builds up the neuroplasticity in the brain. After this initial phase, many patients move to a maintenance schedule, returning for a “booster” session once every 4 to 6 weeks, or as needed.
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