For people living with chronic anxiety, every day can feel like a battle. Medications and therapy help many but not all. However, IV ketamine therapy has risen in popularity as a promising option for people with anxiety who feel like they have run out of choices. Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine is known for its rapid effects. Instead of targeting serotonin or dopamine, it affects the brain’s glutamate system, where stress response and emotional processing are managed.
Reported Outcomes and Safety Considerations
Richard Bowen, MD, of Charleston Ketamine Center, explained that 92 out of 100 patients with generalized anxiety disorder experienced meaningful improvement, based on the Beck Anxiety Inventory anxiety assessment. While it works for many, ketamine is not for everyone. “People with uncontrolled high blood pressure, schizophrenia or a history of substance abuse may not be ideal fits,” Dr. Bowen said.
“Still, for most, ketamine is remarkably well-tolerated, with low risk of physical dependence. Treatment usually begins with a series of six infusions spread over two weeks. From there, patients may move to low-dose lozenges or occasional booster infusions, depending on their needs. Some continue treatment for years, while others find that the effects last long enough to step away from therapy altogether,” he added.
Patient Experience and Environment
At Charleston Ketamine Center, patients are treated in a calm, medically supervised environment. “I felt different. Not in a bad way, just altered,” shared one patient about the initial treatment at Charleston Ketamine Center. “For the first time in what felt like forever, my brain wasn’t spinning in loops. The constant inner critic, the one who overanalyzes, catastrophizes and self-sabotages, went quiet. There was space. Peace. A sense of perspective I hadn’t felt in years.”
Importance of Professional Oversight
Dr. Bowen emphasized that those interested in ketamine should seek treatment from professionals. Online providers have emerged in recent years, mailing high-dose ketamine to patients for at-home use. He cautioned that while ketamine is a safe drug when properly administered, it is not without risks. “The intravenous method remains the gold standard because the dose can be carefully adjusted in real time. We constantly monitor our patients. If someone feels uncomfortable or their blood pressure increases too much, we can stop the infusion and its effects immediately,” he explained. “That level of control makes the experience safer and far more effective than anything you can do at home.”
Specialized Expertise and Long-Term Impact
Charleston Ketamine Center’s sole focus on ketamine therapy sets it apart. “This is all we do. There is a learning curve to understanding the dosing and frequency and managing any side effects,” Dr. Bowen explained. “We have treated more patients than anyone in the Southeast, and that experience matters when it comes to safety and results.”
For patients who have spent years cycling through medications with little to no relief, the IV ketamine difference can be life-changing. One of Dr. Bowen’s patients, who was initially hesitant about trying ketamine, described how the treatments have impacted her anxiety: “I will not pretend that ketamine is right for everyone. It is not a magic fix. It is a tool, and a powerful one when used responsibly under medical care. I am still on my journey. I still have bad days. But after that first session, I finally felt like maybe I could move forward instead of staying stuck. For the first time in a long time, I finally have hope for the future.” – Amber W
By Anne Toole
