Ketamine for OCD
When obsessions won't let go
For treatment-resistant OCD, ketamine's unique mechanism of action offers a different path — one that doesn't rely on serotonin or the traditional SSRI approach.
What makes ketamine different for OCD
A different mechanism entirely
Glutamate, not serotonin
Traditional OCD medications — SSRIs like fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine — work on the serotonin system. Ketamine works on glutamate, the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter. For people with treatment-resistant OCD, this difference matters: some patients who don't respond to serotonin-based treatments respond to glutamate modulation.
Interrupting the loop
OCD is characterized by a 'loop' — intrusive thoughts trigger anxiety, which triggers compulsions, which temporarily reduce anxiety, reinforcing the cycle. Ketamine's effect on the Default Mode Network appears to interrupt this loop at its source, giving patients a window where the obsessive thoughts lose their grip.
The research
What clinical studies show
Research on ketamine for OCD is still emerging — it's promising, not yet definitive. Here's where the evidence stands:
Rapid relief in some patients
A 2013 Yale study (Rodriguez et al.) found that a single ketamine infusion produced rapid reduction of OCD symptoms in patients who hadn't responded to conventional treatment. Response was seen within hours and lasted for days to weeks.
Stanford's open-label work
Stanford researchers have explored ketamine as an adjunct to exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy — the gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD. Their hypothesis: ketamine's neuroplasticity window may make the brain more receptive to ERP's learning-based therapy.
Cautious optimism
The research base for OCD is smaller than for depression. Most experts classify ketamine for OCD as 'promising but not yet fully established.' We tell our OCD patients the same: it may work, the evidence is encouraging, but it's not a guaranteed outcome.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can ketamine help with OCD?
Ketamine is being studied for OCD and early results are promising. Research from Stanford and Yale has found that IV ketamine can produce rapid (within hours) relief from obsessive thoughts and compulsive urges in some patients. However, ketamine for OCD is considered investigational and is not yet FDA-approved.
How is ketamine for OCD different from ketamine for depression?
The research methodology is similar (low-dose IV infusion), but OCD involves different neural circuits than depression. Current evidence suggests ketamine's effect on the Default Mode Network and glutamate system may interrupt the intrusive thought loops that characterize OCD. The research base is smaller but growing rapidly.
Will I be able to stop my OCD medications if ketamine works?
Possibly — but that decision should involve your prescribing psychiatrist. Many patients who respond to ketamine find they can reduce their medication burden over time, but this needs to be done gradually under clinical supervision. Abruptly stopping SSRIs or other OCD medications can cause withdrawal.
How many treatments do people with OCD need?
The research hasn't established a fixed protocol for OCD. Most studies used 4-6 infusions over 2-3 weeks with variable follow-up. At The Practice, we typically start with our standard 6-infusion induction series and assess your response before recommending ongoing treatment.
What does a ketamine session for OCD feel like?
At clinical doses, patients report a calm, dreamlike, or dissociative state lasting about 45-60 minutes — similar to what patients with depression experience. Some describe a 'quieting' of their OCD thoughts during the infusion itself. Your experience may be different based on your individual neurochemistry.
Who qualifies for ketamine treatment for OCD?
At The Practice, we consider ketamine for adults with treatment-resistant OCD — meaning OCD that hasn't responded adequately to at least two evidence-based treatments (typically SSRIs and/or exposure and response prevention therapy). We conduct a thorough evaluation before recommending ketamine for any condition.
The ketamine resource center
Keep exploring ketamine therapy
Ketamine Infusion Therapy →
The main guide to IV ketamine at The Practice — conditions, research, and booking.
Near Ponte Vedra →
Ketamine infusions for Ponte Vedra patients — ~25 min to our San Marco clinic.
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Ketamine infusions for Jacksonville Beach patients — ~25 min to our San Marco clinic.
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Ketamine infusions for Southside patients — ~15 min to our San Marco clinic.
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Ketamine infusions for Westside patients — ~20 min to our San Marco clinic.
Near Riverside / Avondale →
Ketamine infusions for Riverside / Avondale patients — ~10 min to our San Marco clinic.
Near Orange Park →
Ketamine infusions for Orange Park patients — ~25 min to our San Marco clinic.
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Ketamine infusions for Mandarin patients — ~20 min to our San Marco clinic.
Near St. Augustine →
Ketamine infusions for St. Augustine patients — ~40 min to our San Marco clinic.
Near Nocatee →
Ketamine infusions for Nocatee patients — ~30 min to our San Marco clinic.
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Find out if ketamine is right for your OCD
Start with a consultation — in person at our San Marco clinic or via Zoom.