Spravato® is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray specifically for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thoughts. It’s covered by most insurance. Ketamine therapy is administered via IV and treats a broader range of conditions including anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and addiction. Both work through similar mechanisms — promoting neuroplasticity and creating space from entrenched thought patterns.

Traditional antidepressants work on serotonin and can take 6-8 weeks to kick in — if they work at all. Ketamine and Spravato® work differently. They target glutamate, the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain and promote neuroplasticity — essentially helping your brain form new connections and break free from stuck patterns. Many patients feel a shift within hours or days, not months. For people who've tried multiple medications without relief, that difference is everything.

Technically, ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic, not a classic psychedelic. But the experience can feel psychedelic — many patients describe expanded awareness, emotional breakthroughs, and a sense of perspective they haven't felt in years. Spravato® is a derivative of ketamine and creates a similar but generally milder experience. At Reyou, we lean into this — our integration support helps you make meaning from what comes up during treatment, not just take a medicine and go home.

When used in a clinical setting with proper medical oversight, ketamine and Spravato® have a very low risk of addiction. Our protocols are designed with this in mind — structured dosing, supervised sessions, and a treatment arc with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This isn't something you take on your own, and it's not open-ended. We monitor every patient closely and adjust as needed. That said, we screen carefully before starting treatment, and if we don't think it's the right fit, we'll tell you.

Most patients feel fine the next day — many feel better than they have in a long time!  The treatment itself typically lasts 2 hours for Spravato® and about 75 minutes for Ketamine, and you are required to stay with us for a monitoring period afterward. You'll need someone to drive you home, and we recommend keeping the rest of that day low-key. But by the next morning, the vast majority of our patients are back to their normal routines. Some feel a little tired, others feel much lighter. It's rare for anyone to need the next day off.

When you arrive, you'll be welcomed into a calm, private treatment room — no sterile hospital feel. Your care team will check in with you, go over your intention for the session, and make sure you're comfortable. During treatment, you'll recline in a comfortable chair with soft lighting and custom designed music with noise cancelling headphones. Comfy weighted blankets and other comfort items will be provided. A medical professional is observing you and checking vitals the entire time. Afterward, you'll rest in our space while we monitor you, and we'll check in before you leave.

The most common side effects during treatment  can include mild nausea (we give medication to counteract this), a feeling of floating or dissociation, and temporary changes in perception or dreamlike state. These are expected, manageable, and typically resolve within an hour or two of treatment ending. Some patients experience a brief increase in blood pressure, which we monitor throughout your session. Serious side effects are rare, especially in a supervised clinical setting. We'll walk you through everything before your first session so there are no surprises.

Everyone's experience is a little different. Some patients feel a sense of relief or emotional lightness right away. Others describe it as a quiet shift — like something loosened that they didn't know was tight. It's common to feel reflective or emotionally open in the hours after treatment, which is why we include integration support as part of your care. Over the course of a treatment series, most patients notice meaningful changes in mood, increased mindfulness, better thought patterns, and a shift in perspective on the issues they face in their lives. We'll check in regularly so we can track your progress together.