KETAMINE FOR PTSD
Ketamine Therapy for PTSD in Scottsdale
PTSD is one of the most disabling and least responsive conditions in psychiatry. For those with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD, ketamine offers a mechanism that standard medications simply cannot replicate.
How Trauma Dysregulates the Nervous System
PTSD is a disorder of how the nervous system encodes threatening experiences. The amygdala becomes hyperactive while the prefrontal cortex — which provides context and regulation — becomes underactive. The result is a nervous system perpetually primed for threat, unable to distinguish past from present danger. First-line treatments like SSRIs and trauma-focused therapies help many patients, but a substantial portion don't achieve remission.
As an NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine interrupts memory reconsolidation — the mechanism by which traumatic memories are re-encoded each time they are recalled. This creates a therapeutic window in which the emotional weight of trauma can be reduced and new, adaptive neural pathways can form.
A Clinic Built for Veterans
Dr. Andrew Zabel is an Army veteran and board-certified Emergency Medicine physician who founded Innerbloom with a direct understanding of how military service and combat trauma shape PTSD that doesn't respond to conventional treatment. We offer priority intake scheduling for veterans and first responders, and are in the process of applying to the VA Community Care Network.
First responders, law enforcement, and emergency medicine professionals also carry elevated rates of occupational trauma — Dr. Zabel's EM background gives him particular fluency with this population.
What Treatment Looks Like
Treatment begins with a free physician intake covering your trauma history, symptom burden, medications, and goals. If appropriate, the standard protocol is 4–6 IV ketamine infusions over 2–3 weeks, each physician-supervised throughout. Published research suggests ketamine may reduce the intrusive quality of traumatic memories, lower hyperarousal, and open a window of psychological flexibility that supports ongoing therapy. Results vary by individual.
For patients with co-occurring TRD and PTSD, Spravato (esketamine) may also be an option. See our pricing page for current rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ketamine really help with PTSD?↓
Multiple clinical studies show significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity following ketamine therapy. The mechanism — NMDA receptor antagonism and disruption of traumatic memory reconsolidation — is neurologically distinct from SSRIs and plausible for PTSD. It's not a cure, but for patients who haven't responded to standard treatment it can produce meaningful, sometimes rapid improvement.
Do I need a formal PTSD diagnosis?↓
No. Many patients come in with a trauma history, sub-threshold PTSD symptoms, or a prior diagnosis. Dr. Zabel conducts his own clinical evaluation during the intake and makes recommendations based on your current presentation.
Is this safe for veterans on VA medications?↓
Ketamine can be safely administered alongside many common VA medications — SSRIs, SNRIs, and some mood stabilizers. Certain medications require evaluation or adjustment, assessed during intake. Dr. Zabel's EM background and familiarity with veteran presentations makes him well-suited for these cases.
Will the VA cover this?↓
IV ketamine is not currently VA-covered. Innerbloom is applying to the VA Community Care Network for future VA-referred care. Spravato is sometimes accessible through VA-affiliated systems for eligible veterans with TRD.
What's the difference between ketamine and Spravato for PTSD?↓
IV ketamine allows more precise dose titration and faster onset. Spravato is FDA-approved for TRD (not specifically PTSD) and is administered as a nasal spray. IV ketamine is generally preferred for PTSD due to greater control over dose and delivery. Both are available at Innerbloom.
Veteran-owned. No waitlist. Begin with a free physician intake.
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