New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Understanding Ketamine Infusion Therapy in Richmond

For the millions of Americans living with depression and anxiety, finding effective treatment can feel like an endless, frustrating journey. Traditional antidepressants work well for many people, but what happens when you’ve tried multiple medications without success? What options exist when therapy alone isn’t enough, or when your symptoms significantly impact your ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life?

At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness in Richmond, we’re offering new hope through ketamine infusion therapy—an innovative treatment that’s changing lives for people with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders. Founded by Dr. Luke Afuwape, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, our clinic brings this cutting-edge therapy to residents of Sugar Land, Katy, Aliana, Mission Bend, and surrounding West Houston communities who have been searching for relief that traditional treatments haven’t provided.

What Makes Ketamine Different from Traditional Antidepressants?

Ketamine represents a fundamentally different approach to treating depression and anxiety compared to conventional medications. Understanding these differences helps explain why ketamine can work when other treatments have failed.

Traditional antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs work by gradually adjusting levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in your brain. These medications typically take four to six weeks to produce noticeable effects, and finding the right medication and dosage often requires trying several options over many months. For some people, this approach works beautifully. But for the estimated 30 percent of people with treatment-resistant depression, traditional antidepressants simply don’t provide adequate relief.

Ketamine works through an entirely different mechanism. Rather than primarily targeting traditional neurotransmitter systems, ketamine acts on glutamate—the brain’s most abundant neurotransmitter. Specifically, ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, which triggers a cascade of neurological events that promote the growth of new neural connections and strengthen existing pathways in areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.

This unique mechanism produces effects that feel almost miraculous to people who have struggled for years. Many patients report noticeable mood improvements within hours or days of their first treatment rather than waiting weeks or months. The rapid onset of relief can be genuinely life-changing for someone in the depths of severe depression.

Additionally, ketamine appears to work through different pathways than traditional antidepressants, which explains why it can be effective even when multiple other medications have failed. It’s not just another antidepressant in the same category—it’s fundamentally different, targeting aspects of depression that conventional treatments may not adequately address.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

Ketamine infusion therapy isn’t the first-line treatment for everyone with depression or anxiety, but it can be transformative for the right candidates. Understanding who benefits most helps determine if ketamine might be appropriate for your situation.

Treatment-Resistant Depression:

The most common candidates for ketamine therapy are people with treatment-resistant depression—those who haven’t achieved adequate symptom relief despite trying at least two different antidepressant medications at appropriate doses for sufficient durations. If you’ve spent years cycling through different medications with minimal improvement, ketamine offers a new avenue worth exploring.

Major Depressive Disorder with Acute Symptoms:

People experiencing severe depressive episodes, particularly those with suicidal thoughts, may benefit from ketamine’s rapid action. The quick onset of effects can provide crucial relief during crisis periods while longer-term treatment strategies are implemented. Dr. Afuwape’s emergency medicine background makes Urgent Care Plus & Wellness particularly well-suited to supporting patients in acute distress who need rapid intervention.

Anxiety Disorders:

While depression has received the most research attention, ketamine also shows promise for various anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder. The same neuroplastic effects that help with depression can reduce anxiety symptoms and improve overall functioning for people whose anxiety hasn’t responded adequately to traditional treatments.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:

PTSD involves disrupted neural pathways related to fear, memory, and emotional regulation. Ketamine’s ability to promote neural plasticity and new connection formation makes it a promising treatment for PTSD symptoms that haven’t responded to conventional therapy and medications. Many veterans and trauma survivors have found significant relief through ketamine therapy when other approaches fell short.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

Early research suggests ketamine may help reduce OCD symptoms, particularly intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. While more research is needed, some patients with treatment-resistant OCD have experienced meaningful improvements through ketamine infusion therapy.

What the Science Says About Ketamine for Mental Health

The growing body of research supporting ketamine for mental health treatment is impressive and continues to expand. Understanding the scientific foundation helps patients feel confident in choosing this innovative therapy.

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated ketamine’s effectiveness for treatment-resistant depression, with response rates significantly higher than placebo. Research consistently shows that approximately 70 percent of people with treatment-resistant depression experience meaningful symptom improvement with ketamine therapy—a remarkable success rate for a population that hasn’t responded to conventional treatments.

The rapid onset of ketamine’s effects has been documented across multiple studies. While traditional antidepressants require weeks to produce benefits, research shows that many patients notice mood improvements within hours to days of their first ketamine infusion. This rapid action is particularly valuable for people in crisis or those whose symptoms severely impact daily functioning.

Brain imaging studies have revealed fascinating insights into how ketamine produces its antidepressant effects. Scans show that ketamine promotes the growth of new synaptic connections and strengthens neural pathways in brain regions involved in mood regulation, particularly the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These structural changes appear to underlie the lasting benefits many patients experience.

Long-term studies tracking patients over months and years show that ketamine’s benefits can be sustained with appropriate maintenance treatment. While the initial series of infusions produces the most dramatic improvements, many patients maintain their gains with periodic booster treatments spaced weeks or months apart.

Understanding the Ketamine Infusion Experience

If you’re considering ketamine therapy, knowing what to expect during treatment helps ease any anxiety and allows you to approach your first session with confidence. At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness, we’ve created a treatment environment designed for safety, comfort, and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

The Treatment Setting:

Ketamine infusions take place in a calm, comfortable environment separate from our urgent care area. We’ve designed our wellness space to promote relaxation and support the therapeutic process. You’ll recline in a comfortable chair with dim lighting and the option for quiet music, creating an atmosphere conducive to the introspective experience many patients find valuable during treatment.

The Infusion Process:

A typical ketamine infusion session lasts approximately 40 to 60 minutes. One of our experienced medical professionals will insert a small IV catheter, similar to what you’d receive for IV hydration therapy. The ketamine solution then flows steadily into your bloodstream at a carefully controlled rate throughout the session.

During the infusion, you’ll remain conscious but may enter a dissociative state—a unique mental experience that some patients describe as dreamlike or meditative. You might feel separated from your immediate surroundings, experience altered time perception, or have introspective thoughts and insights. These effects are temporary and resolve shortly after the infusion ends.

Supervision and Safety:

Throughout your entire treatment, Dr. Afuwape or one of our trained medical professionals remains present, monitoring your vital signs and ensuring your safety and comfort. We track your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels continuously. This level of medical supervision is crucial for safe ketamine administration and is one reason why ketamine therapy should only be provided by qualified medical professionals in appropriate clinical settings.

After the Infusion:

The acute effects of ketamine typically wear off within 15 to 30 minutes after your infusion ends. However, you shouldn’t drive for several hours following treatment, so arranging transportation home is necessary. Most patients feel clearheaded and normal by the time they leave our facility, though some grogginess or mild disorientation can persist for a few hours.

The Treatment Protocol: What to Expect Over Time

Ketamine infusion therapy isn’t a single treatment but rather a series of sessions designed to produce lasting improvements in your mental health. Understanding the typical treatment timeline helps set realistic expectations.

Initial Induction Phase:

Most patients begin with a series of six infusions over two to three weeks. This induction phase is designed to build therapeutic momentum and produce the neural changes that underlie ketamine’s antidepressant effects. The sessions are typically spaced two to three days apart, allowing time for integration between treatments while maintaining consistent therapeutic levels.

Many patients notice improvements after their first or second infusion, though some require three or four sessions before experiencing significant benefits. It’s important to complete the full initial series even if you feel better early on, as this establishes a foundation for lasting results.

Maintenance Phase:

After completing the initial series, most patients transition to maintenance infusions to sustain their improvements. The frequency of maintenance treatments varies widely based on individual response. Some people need monthly boosters, while others maintain benefits with infusions every six to eight weeks. A few patients find they can eventually discontinue ketamine entirely while others require ongoing maintenance indefinitely.

Dr. Afuwape works with each patient to develop a personalized maintenance schedule based on symptom patterns and treatment response. If you notice symptoms beginning to return between sessions, we may recommend increasing frequency. If you’re maintaining excellent results, we might try gradually extending the time between infusions.

Combining with Other Treatments:

Ketamine therapy works best as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Most patients continue their existing antidepressant medications during ketamine treatment, and many work with therapists to maximize the benefits of their improved mental state. Ketamine appears to make people more receptive to therapy, and the period following infusions can be particularly productive for processing emotions and developing new coping strategies.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Like any medical treatment, ketamine infusion therapy can produce side effects, though most are temporary and resolve quickly. Understanding potential effects helps you make an informed decision about whether ketamine is right for you.

Common During-Infusion Effects:

• Dissociation: The feeling of being detached from your body or surroundings is the most common effect during infusions. While this sensation can feel unusual at first, most patients find it becomes more comfortable with subsequent treatments
• Perceptual Changes: Altered visual or auditory perception, changes in time perception, or unusual thoughts are normal during infusions and resolve quickly afterward
• Nausea: Some people experience mild nausea during or shortly after infusions, though this is less common and can usually be prevented with anti-nausea medication
• Elevated Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: Ketamine temporarily increases blood pressure and heart rate during infusions, which is why continuous monitoring is essential

After Treatment:

Most people feel normal within an hour or two of their infusion ending. Some experience mild grogginess, slight headache, or fatigue for a few hours, but these effects typically resolve without intervention. Serious or lasting side effects are rare when ketamine is administered appropriately by qualified medical professionals.

Who Should Avoid Ketamine:

Ketamine therapy isn’t appropriate for everyone. People with uncontrolled high blood pressure, history of psychosis or schizophrenia, active substance abuse issues, or certain heart conditions may not be suitable candidates. During your consultation at Urgent Care Plus & Wellness, Dr. Afuwape will review your complete medical history to ensure ketamine is safe for you.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not receive ketamine therapy. If you’re taking certain medications, particularly MAO inhibitors or other medications that affect mental state, adjustments may be necessary before starting ketamine treatment.

The Mental Health Treatment Landscape Is Changing

For decades, people with treatment-resistant depression faced limited options and often felt hopeless about ever finding relief. The introduction of ketamine therapy into mainstream psychiatric treatment represents a genuine paradigm shift—offering hope to people who have exhausted conventional approaches without success.

The fact that ketamine works through different mechanisms than traditional antidepressants means it reaches patients who haven’t responded to anything else. It’s not just another option in the same category—it’s a fundamentally different approach that opens new possibilities for healing.

Beyond ketamine’s clinical effectiveness, the rapid onset of benefits can interrupt the downward spiral of severe depression before it becomes life-threatening. For people experiencing suicidal thoughts, the ability to experience relief within hours or days rather than weeks can literally be lifesaving.

The neuroplastic effects of ketamine—its ability to promote new neural connections and strengthen existing pathways—also suggests potential for lasting change beyond immediate symptom relief. Many patients describe ketamine as helping them break free from rigid thought patterns and develop new, healthier ways of thinking and relating to their experiences.

Taking the First Step Toward Mental Wellness

If you’ve been struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mood disorders that haven’t responded adequately to conventional treatments, you don’t have to accept suffering as your reality. Ketamine infusion therapy offers genuine hope for relief and represents one of the most significant advances in mental health treatment in decades.

At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness in Richmond, we’ve created an environment where innovative treatments like ketamine therapy are accessible to people throughout the Sugar Land, Katy, and West Houston areas. Dr. Luke Afuwape’s board-certified emergency medicine background ensures the highest standards of safety and medical care, while our dedicated wellness space provides the comfort and privacy essential for therapeutic ketamine treatment.

Making the decision to try ketamine therapy takes courage, especially after experiencing disappointment with previous treatments. But the potential for finally finding relief that’s eluded you for months or years makes exploring this option worthwhile. Many of our patients express regret about one thing: not discovering ketamine sooner.

Mental health treatment shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all, and what works for one person may not work for another. If traditional approaches haven’t provided the relief you deserve, ketamine therapy might be the missing piece in your mental health journey.

Schedule Your Ketamine Consultation in Richmond

Ready to explore whether ketamine infusion therapy is right for you? Urgent Care Plus & Wellness makes it easy to take the first step. Our comprehensive evaluation process ensures ketamine is both safe and appropriate for your specific situation before beginning treatment.

Dr. Afuwape will review your mental health history, current symptoms, previous treatments, and overall health to determine if you’re a good candidate for ketamine therapy. If ketamine is appropriate, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan designed to give you the best possible chance of achieving lasting relief from your symptoms.

Located conveniently in Richmond and serving patients from throughout Fort Bend County and West Houston, we’re here to support your journey toward better mental health. Whether you’re dealing with treatment-resistant depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, or other mood disorders, ketamine infusion therapy could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.

Start Your Journey to Better Mental Health Today

Contact Urgent Care Plus & Wellness at 20711 Bellaire Blvd Suite B in Richmond, TX, or call (281) 762-2208 to schedule your ketamine therapy consultation. Our compassionate team understands the challenges of living with treatment-resistant mental health conditions and is ready to help you explore this innovative treatment option. Don’t spend another day suffering when new hope is available.