Patient Stories
Real experiences, real people
Beyond statistics and study results — here's what ketamine therapy actually looks like in our clinic. These stories represent common patterns in our patient population, shared with permission.
Stories, not just statistics
Why patient narratives matter
The numbers tell you how many people responded. But the stories tell you what response actually looks like — how a person's morning changes, how their relationships shift, how they come to reimagine their own future. This is the part of medicine that doesn't fit into a clinical trial.
The stories below are composite narratives — drawn from the common experiences of our patients, not the verbatim account of any single person. We share them to give you an honest picture of what ketamine therapy at The Practice looks like — the hopeful parts, and the realistic ones too.
Treatment-resistant depression
"I found my way back"
"I'd been through five different antidepressants. Some helped for a few months, then stopped. Some never helped. The last one made everything feel grey — not worse, just… nothing. My doctor mentioned ketamine and I was skeptical. I'd tried everything. But I was 42 and had been depressed since I was 19. I had nothing left to lose.
"My first infusion, I didn't feel anything special. I sat in the chair, listened to some music, and felt a little floaty. I went home and slept. But the next morning, something was different. I made coffee and I actually noticed the smell. Not a big thing — but for someone who hadn't noticed anything in months, it felt huge.
"By the third infusion, my wife noticed I was making eye contact again. By the fifth, I laughed at something she said — really laughed. The depression didn't disappear. I'm not 'cured.' But I have days now that would have been impossible six months ago. I can see a future that isn't just surviving.
— A 42-year-old teacher with treatment-resistant depression
PTSD / veteran
"The noise finally quieted"
"I did two combat tours. I came home with shrapnel damage and PTSD. The VA was good — I tried everything they offered. But the nightmares kept coming, and the hypervigilance never really stopped. I couldn't go to crowded restaurants. I couldn't let my kids surprise me. I felt like a ghost in my own life.
"The ketamine infusion didn't erase the memories. That's not what it does. But it gave me this space — this quiet space — where I could look at them without being overwhelmed. Like watching a movie instead of being inside it.
"I'm not the guy I was before I deployed. That man's gone, and I accept that. But I'm also not the man I was last year — always on edge, always waiting for the next threat. I'm somewhere in between now, and that feels like progress I can live with.
— A 38-year-old veteran with combat-related PTSD
Chronic pain / CRPS
"I can wear socks again"
"I developed CRPS after what should have been a routine ankle surgery. The pain was relentless — burning, constant, 8 out of 10 every day for two years. I couldn't wear socks. I couldn't sleep without the sheets touching my skin. I was on opioids that barely touched it.
"Ketamine infusions didn't make the pain disappear. But it turned the volume down from an 8 to a 4 or 5. That might not sound like much, but the difference between an 8 and a 4 is the difference between being unable to function and being able to make dinner, hold a conversation, go to my daughter's soccer game.
"I still have CRPS. But I've been off opioids for eight months. I'm in physical therapy now, actually touching my skin again. I can wear socks. That's what ketamine gave me back."
— A 51-year-old with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Are these real patient stories?
These are composite narratives representing typical patient experiences with ketamine therapy at The Practice. They combine common patterns from our patient population — they are not the verbatim account of any single individual, and no patient names or identifying details are used. This protects privacy while sharing the real experience of what ketamine treatment is like.
How quickly will I feel better?
Some patients feel a shift during or immediately after the first infusion. For others, improvement appears after the 2nd or 3rd infusion. In clinical trials, the median time to response is about 24 hours. The important thing to know is that ketaamine's effects are not guaranteed to be immediate for everyone — and that's normal, not a sign it's not working.
What if ketamine doesn't work for me?
About 30-50% of patients don't respond to ketamine therapy. If by the 6th infusion you haven't noticed meaningful improvement, we'll discuss alternative approaches — including other interventional treatments, medication adjustments, or different therapeutic strategies. Not responding to ketamine doesn't mean nothing will work.
Can ketamine replace my antidepressants?
For some patients, ketamine reduces or eliminates the need for daily psychiatric medications. For others, it's an adjunct that works alongside existing medications. We never recommend stopping medications suddenly. The goal is to find what works best for you — whether that's ketamine as a standalone, ketamine alongside medication, or a different approach entirely.
What was your first patient's experience?
We started offering ketamine infusions in 2023 and our first patient was a middle-aged professional with treatment-resistant depression who had tried six antidepressants without success. After three infusions, she reported her first 'good day' in over a year. That early experience shaped how we approach treatment — with cautious optimism and honest communication about what to expect.
How is The Practice's approach to ketamine different?
Every protocol is individualized — we use validated scales (PHQ-9, GAD-7) at each visit to track your response, adjust your dose based on your individual experience, and combine treatment with psychological integration support when appropriate. We're a medical clinic, not a wellness spa, and your care is overseen by a board-certified psychiatric provider.
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.
Near Jacksonville Beach →
Ketamine infusions for Jacksonville Beach patients — ~25 min to our San Marco clinic.
Near Southside →
Ketamine infusions for Southside patients — ~15 min to our San Marco clinic.
Near Westside →
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.
Near Mandarin →
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.
Treatment-Resistant Depression →
When two or more antidepressants haven’t worked — what ketamine offers TRD.
Ketamine for Anxiety →
Rapid relief for persistent anxiety, panic, and nervous-system activation.
Ketamine for PTSD →
Trauma-informed infusion care for hypervigilance and flashbacks.
Ketamine for Chronic Pain →
CRPS, neuropathy, migraines, and centralized pain protocols.
Cost & Insurance →
The dedicated guide to infusion costs, insurance, and payment questions.
Infusions vs. Spravato →
How IV ketamine and the FDA-approved nasal spray compare on results and cost.
What to Expect →
Your first infusion, hour by hour — preparation, the experience, and recovery.
How It Works →
The science: the glutamate surge and the dendritic spine regrowth seen in research.
What Is Ketamine Therapy? →
The complete beginner’s guide: history, mechanism, safety, and evidence.
Veterans & the VA →
How VA coverage works for Spravato and IV ketamine, and the Community Care path.
Ketamine FAQ →
Every common question about ketamine in Jacksonville, answered in one place.
Side Effects & Safety →
What to expect: nausea, dizziness, dissociation, blood pressure — and who shouldn’t use ketamine.
The Experience →
Does ketamine get you high? Honest answers about what an infusion actually feels like.
Preparation Guide →
What to eat, what to avoid, what to bring, and how to set yourself up for the best experience.
Aftercare Guide →
First 24 hours, the week after, and how to maximize the neuroplasticity window.
Treatment Protocol →
The standard 6-infusion induction series, why a series matters, and maintenance scheduling.
Ketamine for OCD →
For obsessive-compulsive disorder: how ketamine’s glutamate mechanism may interrupt the OCD loop.
Ketamine for Bipolar Depression →
When antidepressants can’t be used — how ketamine differs for bipolar patients on mood stabilizers.
Ketamine vs. ECT →
How IV ketamine compares to electroconvulsive therapy — efficacy, side effects, and logistics.
Success Rates & Evidence →
What the research actually shows: response rates, remission rates, and what the numbers mean.
Your story could be next
Start with a consultation — in person at our San Marco clinic or via Zoom. We'll review your history and tell you honestly whether ketamine is a fit.