When starting ketamine therapy or Spravato treatment, the most common question patients ask is: “When will I feel better?” The answer is hopeful but not uniform. Some notice changes quickly, while others need time, adjustments, and support.
This article explores what “better” can mean, what influences the timeline, and what to do if relief doesn’t come right away.
Early Responders and Slow-Build Patterns
What “better” might feel like
After ketamine therapy, relief is not always dramatic. Some patients describe a subtle softening of depression, like a weight lifting slightly or thoughts feeling less stuck. Others notice more vivid shifts: increased calm, emotional openness, or a sense of distance from harsh self-criticism.
Energy, outlook, and function
Improvement often shows up first in daily rhythms. Patients may find they’re getting out of bed more easily, reconnecting with activities, or engaging with loved ones. These changes matter as much as mood ratings. They’re signs the brain is moving in a healthier direction.
When we reassess
Clinically, Lumin Health often reassesses after 3–6 ketamine treatment or 6-8 Spravato sessions. If no improvement is emerging by then, it’s a cue to adjust dose, route, or treatment plan. But patience is key: some slow-build responders see benefits after a few weeks, not a few days.
Factors That Influence Response
Dose, route, and frequency
Relief can depend on how ketamine is administered — intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions, intramuscular (IM) ketamine injections, or Spravato nasal spray — how often sessions occur, and the dosage. These variables are tailored to each patient and adjusted as needed based on medical history, how a person experiences the treatments, and in the case of Spravato, FDA recommendations.
Therapy engagement with ketamine treatment
Ketamine and Spravato open a “neuroplasticity window” where the brain is more receptive to change. Patients who pair treatment with psychological support like psychotherapists or behavioral change to support daily habits that help address depression often find that insights become more durable and behaviors that support recovery are more easily engaged.
Medical and psychosocial context
Sleep quality, ongoing stress, substance use, and support systems can all influence how quickly benefits appear. Healing is not just neurochemical — it’s contextual.
If Relief Doesn’t Come after Ketamine or Spravato
Options to adjust
If you don’t notice improvement after several sessions, clinicians can adjust the dose, change the route (for example, intramuscular ketamine instead of Spravato), or revisit frequency. Sometimes tactical, small-seeming shifts make a big difference.
Pausing with purpose
For some patients, ketamine or Spravato may not provide meaningful relief. In these cases, pausing is not failure — it’s information. It helps clinicians and patients decide whether to explore alternatives like TMS, medication adjustments, or other therapies.
Compassionate next steps
The goal is never to push ketamine as the only path. At Lumin Health, care plans are collaborative. If ketamine isn’t the right fit, we support patients in finding the next option with the same warmth and attention.
How Relief Varies Between Patients in Ketamine Therapy and Spravato
In clinical practice, it’s common to see some improvement within the first few weeks of ketamine therapy or Spravato treatment. But there is no single clock. Some patients feel better after one or two sessions while others take longer.
What matters most is compassionate pacing: giving yourself the chance to see if ketamine/Spravato helps, adjusting when needed, and remembering that not feeling better right away doesn’t mean you never will. Relief is possible — and your Lumin Health care team will walk that timeline with you.
