Episode 31 - The Clinician’s Guide to Ketamine Therapy: History, Science & Real-World Protocols

In this episode, Sam presents a comprehensive overview of ketamine therapy from a clinical lens. Originally delivered as a lecture titled “Exploring Ketamine IV Infusions: A Novel Approach for Depression, PTSD, Anxiety, & Chronic Pain” to the UCLA–Betty Ford Addiction Medicine Fellowship, this session walks through everything from the mental health crisis to ketamine’s evolving role in modern treatment.Whether you’re a curious clinician or an experienced provider, this is your go-to primer on how ketamine therapy works—and why it matters now more than ever. With over 50 years of clinical use and a growing body of scientific research, ketamine is proving to be a powerful option for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Sam brings together the science, protocols, and personal insights from running a real-world ketamine clinic to help demystify the treatment process and spark deeper understanding among medical professionals.What You’ll Gain From This Episode:・A deeper understanding of how ketamine works in the brain・Knowledge of current research and studies supporting ketamine’s use・Insights into patient selection, safety, and personalized dosing strategiesEpisode 31 show notes:00:00 Teaser - Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.00:30 Welcome and Episode Overview01:17 Ketamine Infusions: A Novel Approach02:17 Current State of Mental Health and Ketamine History09:36 Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Studies12:11 Patient Experiences and Clinical Applications23:22 Ideal Patient Selection and Dosing Protocols29:10 Potential Side Effects and Addiction Risks33:21 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThanks for listeningFor references and studies mentioned in this episode, go to www.ketaminestartup.com/podcast/episode-031Follow us onInstagramLinkedinKetamine StartUp WebsiteYouTube🚀 Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.