Fast-Acting Relief from Depression
With IV Ketamine & Spravato®
Safe Relief for Treatment-Resistant Depression
What Is Ketamine & How Does It Treat Depression?
Researchers first developed ketamine in the 1960s as a safer anesthetic, and clinicians have used it reliably in medical settings for more than six decades. Today the World Health Organization recognizes ketamine as one of the most essential medicines worldwide, and it remains FDA-approved for anesthesia while also showing remarkable promise in mental health care. At Better Health Whole Wellness Center we offer two clinically validated ketamine-based treatments — IV ketamine infusion therapy and Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray, which is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. In carefully monitored, low doses, both treatments ease symptoms of depression with minimal side effects. By blocking NMDA receptors and boosting glutamate activity, ketamine supports neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form new connections — helping release rigid thought patterns tied to depression, trauma, and anxiety.
What Is Depression & Why Is It So Difficult to Treat?
Depression develops as a complex mood disorder shaped by a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. Over time, stressful or traumatic experiences can disrupt the brain’s neural circuits and alter how we process emotions and thoughts. As a result, symptoms often include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness. Struggle with more than just depression? Learn about the other conditions ketamine therapy can treat.
How does ketamine help people living with depression?
Ketamine has become one of the most extensively researched treatments for depression worldwide, and decades of clinical studies support its safety and effectiveness. Both IV ketamine therapy and Spravato® (esketamine) work through three complementary pathways that ease symptoms in powerful ways — first bringing rapid relief from emotional pain, then sparking new perspectives that shift how life is experienced, and finally opening the door to lasting changes in habits and thought patterns. Together these effects make ketamine-based treatment a distinctive option for people seeking meaningful progress beyond traditional antidepressants.
Ketamine Treatment Options:
IV Infusion, Spravato® & How They Compare
At Better Health Whole Wellness Center we offer both IV ketamine infusion therapy and Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray — the two most clinically validated and evidence-supported forms of ketamine treatment available. While IV ketamine consistently achieves the strongest outcomes in clinical research, Spravato® is FDA-approved, covered by most major insurance plans, and an excellent option for patients seeking an accessible, medically supervised alternative. Our team works with each patient to determine which treatment — or combination of both — is the best fit.
IV Ketamine: The Most Clinically Validated Method for Depression Treatment
Clinical research consistently supports IV ketamine as achieving the most reliable results in treating depression, with studies reporting response rates of up to 75% in some populations. Spravato® (esketamine) has shown response rates approaching 70% in clinical trials and sustained remission rates of approximately 44% — making it a strong evidence-based alternative, particularly for patients who qualify for insurance coverage. By comparison, intramuscular injections average closer to 50%, while oral forms typically range between 20–30%.
Longer-Lasting Relief: How IV Ketamine & Spravato® Compare for Sustained Results
Patients receiving IV ketamine often experience improvements that last approximately six weeks before needing another treatment. Spravato® follows an FDA-approved maintenance schedule that transitions from twice-weekly sessions to weekly and then every-one-to-two-weeks sessions as the patient’s clinical response stabilizes. Both approaches are designed for long-term sustainability — our team monitors your progress closely and recommends booster sessions based on your individual response.
Patient Comfort & Safety Throughout Every IV Ketamine & Spravato® Session
Although ketamine can cause dissociative effects regardless of how it’s administered, IV infusions allow providers to carefully adjust dosing in real time — a key clinical advantage. Spravato® is self-administered under clinician supervision following an FDA-approved dosing protocol, with each session lasting approximately two hours total. The Spravato® treatment schedule is more frequent than IV ketamine: the induction phase runs twice a week for four weeks, followed by a maintenance phase of once a week for 5–8 weeks, and then ongoing treatment of once a week or every two weeks depending on your response. Both treatments are delivered in our calm, sensory-supportive treatment suites at Better Health Whole Wellness Center in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.
Precise Dosage Control: Why IV Administration Offers Unmatched Clinical Precision
IV ketamine allows clinicians to titrate dosage in real time based on each patient’s weight, response, and tolerance — delivering treatment within the precise therapeutic range of 0.5–1.0 mg/kg over approximately 40 minutes. This level of control is not achievable with oral or intranasal forms, and is one of the primary reasons IV administration produces the most consistent and reproducible outcomes across patient populations.
Fewer Side Effects With Lower, Precisely Administered Ketamine Doses
Because IV infusions use lower doses (around 50 mg per treatment), patients face fewer side effects and a more efficient path to relief. This is one key difference from Spravato® (esketamine), an FDA-approved nasal spray that works through a similar mechanism but is administered differently, requires on-site monitoring for a minimum of two hours per session, and is typically used by patients who haven’t responded to at least two antidepressants.
Our Commitment to the Highest Clinical Standards in Ketamine Care
IV ketamine and Spravato® (esketamine) are two of the most widely studied approaches to ketamine-based treatment. Spravato® is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and is administered in certified clinical settings. IV ketamine, while used off-label, is supported by a growing body of clinical research and is recognized in guidance from organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association. It is also utilized within health systems like the Department of Veterans Affairs under established clinical protocols. Better Health Whole Wellness Center is certified by the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists and Practitioners (ASKP³), reflecting our commitment to delivering care aligned with current best practices.
Why Choose Better Health Whole Wellness Center?
Research‑Driven,
Individualized Care
We ground every decision in the latest scientific evidence to ensure the highest standard of treatment. That’s why we focus on intravenous (IV) ketamine and Spravato®. We provide continuous medical monitoring during each session, and design personalized care plans that reflect the unique needs and goals of every patient.
Whole‑Person
Treatment Experience
Healthcare should never reduce people to symptoms alone. At our practice, every aspect of care is shaped around patient safety, comfort, and convenience. We prioritize trust at every step, creating an environment where patients feel supported, respected, and empowered throughout their journey.
Collaborative,
Team‑Based Approach
We view ketamine therapy as one part of a broader wellness plan, not a stand-alone solution. Where patients have an existing care team, we maintain open communication to integrate treatment seamlessly into their overall mental health care. For those without, we help ensure the right support is in place — because every patient leaves with a continued plan of care.