The American journal of nursingFeb 19, 2026

Ketamine as a Treatment for Mental Health Conditions

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Feb 20, 2026

Abstract

Ketamine has been increasingly used off-label for treatment-resistant mental health disorders, with the S-ketamine enantiomer esketamine approved for treatment-resistant depression in 2019.

Ketamine may offer a novel mechanism of action for individuals unresponsive to traditional mental health treatments.
The use of ketamine includes various methods such as intranasal administration, IV infusions, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
Regulation of ketamine's use in mental health treatment is currently fragmented and evolving.
There is a growing concern for vulnerable patients seeking effective relief from treatment-resistant mental health symptoms.
Nursing professionals need to be aware of the clinical, regulatory, and ethical implications surrounding ketamine treatments.

Simplified

Ketamine has emerged as a promising intervention for treatment-resistant mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. With rising global mental health burdens and the limitations of existing pharmacological treatments, ketamine's novel mechanism of action provides a potential alternative for individuals who have not responded to traditional therapies. Ketamine was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1970 for use as an anesthetic, and over the past two decades, has increasingly been investigated and used as an off-label treatment for mental health disorders. Additionally, the S-ketamine enantiomer of ketamine, esketamine (marketed as Spravato), received approval for treatment-resistant depression in 2019. Clinical applications of ketamine in the treatment of mental health disorders include intranasal administration (esketamine), IV infusions, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and at-home therapy, with varying levels of oversight. The current ketamine landscape has created a perfect storm in which the regulation of ketamine's use in mental health treatment remains fragmented, the evidence is constantly evolving, and a vulnerable population of individuals who are struggling with treatment-resistant mental health symptoms are desperate for relief. This article addresses these considerations by providing a foundation of clinical information that nurses should understand as they advise patients who are receiving, or curious about ketamine, as well as by discussing the regulatory, ethical, and nursing implications of using ketamine in the treatment of mental health disorders.

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Ketamine as a Treatment for Mental Health Conditions

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