Ketamine has moved from operating rooms to the front line of treatment-resistant depression care over the past two decades, and New England patients now have more access to it than ever — but not all ketamine providers are the same, and the differences matter. Research confirms that ketamine produces rapid and significant antidepressant effects in patients who have not responded to conventional medications, often working within hours when traditional treatments have taken weeks or failed entirely (National Institutes of Health). At Oasis Therapeutics, we have been providing ketamine infusion therapy in Nashua and Concord, New Hampshire since our founding, and this guide is designed to help you understand what to look for, what to ask, and what we specifically offer.
Why Patients Come to Oasis Therapeutics for Ketamine
Patients arrive at our clinic from across New England for a range of reasons, but the common thread is that conventional treatment has not been sufficient. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, and nicotine dependence are among the conditions for which we offer ketamine infusion therapy — and the patients who reach us typically have a history of medications and other treatments that have provided incomplete relief or none at all.
We were founded specifically for this population. Our physician team includes PK Suchdev, MD, founder and CEO, board-certified in anesthesiology and pain management, who completed his pain management fellowship at Harvard University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; James Mirazita, MD, our medical director, also board-certified in anesthesiology and pain management with a pain management fellowship from the same institution; and Santharam Yadati, MD, board-certified in psychiatry with over 45 years in the field. All three physicians have been recognized as New Hampshire Magazine Top Doctors. To learn more about the people behind your care, visit our team of experts. This is not a general wellness clinic that added ketamine to its menu — we are an interventional practice built around treatment-resistant conditions, staffed by physicians whose entire careers have been oriented toward exactly this kind of care.
We are also a veteran-owned practice. For New England veterans and first responders who are evaluating ketamine providers, that background shapes our approach in ways that go beyond credentials.
What Ketamine Infusion Therapy Is
Ketamine infusion therapy involves the intravenous administration of ketamine — delivered directly into the bloodstream through an IV line — at doses calibrated for antidepressant and therapeutic effects rather than anesthesia. This is distinct from ketamine administered as a nasal spray, such as SPRAVATO® (esketamine), which is a separate FDA-approved formulation we also offer for treatment-resistant depression and for major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior.
IV ketamine acts on the brain’s glutamate system — the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter network — producing rapid modulation of neural pathways involved in mood regulation. This mechanism is fundamentally different from how conventional antidepressants work, which is why ketamine may produce results in patients for whom SSRIs and SNRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, the two most common antidepressant classes) have been ineffective. Research confirms that ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant major depression who have not responded to other medications (National Institutes of Health).
Ketamine has also been studied for its effects on neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form and strengthen neural connections — which may help explain why its benefits can extend beyond the acute infusion period (National Institutes of Health). The research base for IV ketamine in depression treatment, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and chronic pain continues to grow, and it is the foundation on which our clinical use rests.
What to Expect at Our Clinic
At Oasis Therapeutics, every patient begins with a consultation. A licensed clinician reviews your full health history, prior treatment experiences, current medications, and presenting symptoms. This evaluation determines whether ketamine infusion therapy is clinically appropriate for your situation — not every patient is a candidate, and we will tell you directly if we believe a different approach would serve you better.
For patients who proceed with treatment, a standard initial course involves six infusions delivered over approximately two to three weeks. Sessions last one to two hours. During each infusion, you are seated in a comfortable chair while ketamine is delivered through an IV line at a slow, controlled rate. A member of our licensed medical team monitors you continuously throughout the session. You may experience a dissociative sensation — a temporary feeling of altered perception — during the infusion, which typically resolves shortly after the session ends. You will need a driver for each appointment.
Many patients notice meaningful improvement in symptoms within hours to days of the first infusion, though individual response varies and a full course of treatment is generally needed for sustained benefit. Maintenance infusions are available after the initial series for patients whose symptoms benefit from ongoing support.
How to Evaluate Any Ketamine Provider in New England
If you are comparing ketamine providers across New England, the following questions give you meaningful information about the quality and safety of care you would be receiving.
Who performs the infusions and what are their credentials? At our clinic, infusions are administered under the oversight of our physician team and monitored by licensed infusion nurses. Ketamine infusion is an interventional procedure — the credentials of the people administering and supervising it are directly relevant to safety.
Is there a clinical evaluation before treatment? A provider who offers ketamine without a thorough evaluation of your medical and psychiatric history is not practicing responsibly. We conduct a comprehensive consultation before any treatment is scheduled.
What conditions does the clinic treat, and are those pairings supported by evidence? We offer ketamine for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, nicotine dependence, stress and burnout, suicidal ideation, substance use, and long-COVID — conditions for which peer-reviewed research supports its use. You can review the full list of conditions we treat on our website.
Is the clinic certified for SPRAVATO®? SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray available only through certified treatment centers. We are a certified SPRAVATO® therapy provider at both our Nashua and Concord locations, offering it as a distinct option for patients who meet the specific indications.
Addressing Two Common Concerns
Cost and insurance: IV ketamine infusion therapy is not universally covered by insurance, and we will not pretend otherwise. Coverage varies significantly by plan. We offer discounted direct-payment rates for patients paying out of pocket, and financing is available through CareCredit. HSA and FSA funds are eligible. For a full breakdown of what to expect financially, review our treatment pricing page. SPRAVATO®, by contrast, is insurance-covered at our clinic — we accept United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Medicare, TRICARE, the Veterans Administration, Harvard Pilgrim, and NH Healthy Families. Our care coordination team verifies your specific benefits before treatment begins so you know exactly where you stand before committing to anything. Contact us with your insurance information and let us do that work for you.
Concerns about ketamine’s safety profile: Ketamine has been used in medical settings as an anesthetic for decades, and its safety profile at therapeutic doses — administered intravenously in a clinical setting with continuous monitoring — is well established. Research from the National Institutes of Health confirms that side effects from a single antidepressant dose of IV ketamine are mild and brief. This is not recreational ketamine use; the dose, route of administration, clinical setting, and monitoring are categorically different. We screen every patient for contraindications before treatment and monitor continuously during each infusion. Results vary by individual, and we discuss realistic expectations at the consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is IV ketamine different from SPRAVATO®? IV ketamine is administered intravenously in our clinic and is used off-label for depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, chronic pain, and other conditions. SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray formulation of esketamine — a related compound — approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and for major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Both are available at Oasis Therapeutics, and we discuss which is more appropriate for each patient based on their history and clinical presentation.
Do I need a referral to be evaluated for ketamine therapy? No. You can contact us directly to schedule a consultation. If you have records from a treating psychiatrist or primary care provider, we welcome those as part of the evaluation — and we communicate with outside providers when you consent to that coordination — but a referral is not required to get started.
What if I’ve tried ketamine before and it didn’t work? Prior ketamine treatment without adequate response is worth discussing at the consultation rather than ruling you out. Factors including dosing, number of sessions, the specific condition being treated, and what other treatments were used alongside it all affect outcomes. Results vary by individual, and a prior experience with ketamine is not necessarily predictive of your response to a properly structured course of treatment.
Can I continue my current medications while receiving ketamine infusions? This depends on your specific medications and is assessed during the consultation. Some medications are adjusted around the infusion schedule; others are not. We review everything you are currently taking as part of the evaluation process.
How far do patients travel to Oasis Therapeutics for ketamine? We serve patients from across New England. Our two locations — Nashua and Concord, New Hampshire — are accessible from Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and beyond. Many patients travel specifically because they want care from a physician-led, interventional practice with deep experience in treatment-resistant conditions.
Key Takeaways
- At Oasis Therapeutics, we offer IV ketamine infusion therapy at our Nashua and Concord, NH clinics for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, and other confirmed conditions, led by a physician team board-certified in anesthesiology, pain management, and psychiatry.
- IV ketamine works through the brain’s glutamate system and has demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects in patients who have not responded to conventional medications — a mechanism fundamentally different from SSRIs and SNRIs.
- A standard initial course involves six infusions over approximately two to three weeks; maintenance infusions are available as needed. Results vary by individual.
- We are also a certified SPRAVATO® treatment center, offering the FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with acute suicidal ideation or behavior, with insurance coverage at both locations.
- Cost, insurance coverage, and treatment expectations are discussed transparently before anything is scheduled. Financing through CareCredit and HSA/FSA eligibility are both available.
Selecting a ketamine provider is a clinical decision, and the right one depends on the credentials behind the care, the rigor of the evaluation, and the honesty of the conversation about what treatment can and cannot do. If you are in New England and are ready to explore whether ketamine infusion therapy is appropriate for your situation, we welcome you to reach out. Schedule a consultation through our website, and we will start with a thorough evaluation and a direct conversation about your options. We encourage you to discuss all treatment decisions with your healthcare provider.
References
National Institutes of Health. Antidepressant Efficacy in Treatment-Resistant Depression. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23982301/
National Institutes of Health. Side Effects Mild and Brief — Single Antidepressant Dose of IV Ketamine. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/side-effects-mild-brief-single-antidepressant-dose-intravenous-ketamine
National Institutes of Health. Ketamine and Neuroplasticity. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8190578/
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. History of Ketamine. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/what-to-know-about-ketamine
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ketamine infusion therapy, SPRAVATO®, and all other treatments described should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed provider familiar with your full medical and psychiatric history. Individual results vary. Not all treatments are appropriate for all patients. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.