What if the treatment you’ve been looking for works completely differently from everything you have already tried?
You have tried the medications. Maybe therapy, too. And you still do not feel like yourself.
There is, however, a medication that works in a completely different way. Ketamine, in its various forms, has been shown to work for treating depression, anxiety, and even PTSD. Spravato® is an FDA-approved nasal spray made from esketamine, a purified form of ketamine. It is covered by insurance and available in New Jersey right now for those who suffer from treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.
Here’s what you need to know about Spravato® as a treatment for anxiety.
Why Depression and Anxiety Are Almost Always Connected
While it may seem as though depression and anxiety sit at two extremes, the two conditions are very closely related in people who suffer from one or the other.
Both conditions affect the brain’s stress response and the chemical communication within the brain, which uses glutamate as the primary neurotransmitter. The breakdown of this chemical communication leads to the development of depression and anxiety.
The good news is that Spravato® works to fix these chemical communications within the brain, leading to a reduction of symptoms of both depression and anxiety.
What Ketamine Actually Feels Like
The research for Spravato® reveals the powerful effect that the drug can have on those with treatment-resistant conditions, but what does it feel like when taking the medication?
Patients who take Spravato® report feeling relaxed and sleepy within the first five to ten minutes after taking the medication. Many report a feeling of floating or becoming detached from their surroundings, as if in a dreamlike state.
These feelings are temporary and last for only a few hours, but after taking the medication, the majority of patients report an even mood, reduced anxiety, and an improvement in their symptoms that can last for weeks.
What the Ketamine Research Shows
Now, let’s look at the research.
- Spravato® helps 60-80% of individuals with treatment-resistant depression find relief from their symptoms, including those who suffer from severe, co-occurring anxiety. (Source: Sage Journals)
- For up to one year after treatment, individuals experienced reduced anxiety symptoms in an analysis of the effectiveness of intravenous ketamine.
- Hundreds of patients were studied in the TRANSFORM-2 trial to assess the effectiveness of Spravato® for treatment-resistant depression, and those with anxiety symptoms saw the same benefits – there were no delays in the treatment of their anxiety symptoms.
- 56% remission rate for Spravato® patients compared to just 36% with traditional antidepressants. (Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- A 75.9% response rate means nearly 3 out of 4 patients see meaningful improvement. (Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
The TRANSFORM-2 trial, published in the journal Depression and Anxiety and supported by Janssen, the manufacturer of Spravato®, showed that Spravato® was beneficial for individuals with major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms. Even those without significant anxiety symptoms experienced positive effects, and many participants saw significant improvements in both conditions at the same time.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of ketamine for treating refractory anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and OCD, found that there were significant reductions in anxiety symptoms across multiple studies.
An analysis of ketamine infusion therapy revealed that the relief of anxiety symptoms lasted for up to one year.
Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine was later found to have anti-depression effects, and now, its benefits for anxiety are becoming hard to ignore as the evidence keeps building. (Source: Biological Psychiatry)
Who Spravato® Is For
You may be a candidate for Spravato® if you have:
- Major depressive disorder (treatment-resistant depression)
- Tried at least two antidepressants without success
- Tried various forms of medication, therapy, or other mental health treatment for your depression and anxiety
- Wanted to try an FDA-approved medication that works in a different way than your current medications
- Insurance coverage in New Jersey for Spravato® treatment
Spravato® has been most successful in individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety together, which is true for the majority of individuals who come to Oasis. If you’re dealing with both depression and chronic anxiety, this treatment is worth a closer look.
Anxiety Disorders Ketamine Is Being Studied For
The various mental health conditions for which ketamine is being studied include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD): These are the most common disorders ketamine is being studied for. Studies show that ketamine effectively reduces symptoms, including the vicious cycle of negative thought patterns.
- Panic disorder and PTSD: These conditions benefit from early and ongoing research into the effectiveness of ketamine on nervous systems affected by panic and PTSD.
- OCD and phobias (agoraphobia included): Studies have shown that ketamine has demonstrated promising results for those who suffer from these conditions.
How Spravato® Works
Most antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications work to balance chemicals tied to mood regulation: serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). While these chemicals are important, they do not account for all who suffer from depression or anxiety, and also come with well-known side effects: weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and emotional blunting.
Ketamine works with the glutamate pathway in the brain. By acting on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain, ketamine can help the brain develop new neural connections, pathways, and brain cells. This process is referred to as neuroplasticity, and is the reason that individuals often begin to feel better with ketamine treatments within days, when it can take weeks with traditional treatments like antidepressants.
These NMDA receptors are the same that provide ketamine’s benefits of pain relief for those with chronic pain, the most common use for ketamine in medical settings. In seven different clinical trials on the effects of ketamine, its benefits for patients with mental health disorders showed up in every study.
What to Know About Ketamine FDA Approval
Spravato® has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of:
- Treatment-resistant depression: adults who have tried at least two antidepressants without success
- Major depressive disorder that includes suicidal thoughts or behaviors: adults who suffer from major depression, but who also have acute suicidal thoughts or behaviors
These are serious psychiatric disorders. In treatment-resistant cases, anxiety is almost always part of the picture alongside depression. Spravato® was not built to treat one thing in isolation.
Researchers studied it specifically in patients with comorbid anxiety and found it worked just as well, with therapeutic effects on mood disorders extending to anxiety because both run on the same disrupted pathways.
Although other clinics and providers study and prescribe ketamine for anxiety conditions off-label, as well, Spravato® remains the best-studied ketamine treatment option with proven benefits for those with anxiety.
Spravato® vs. Other Ketamine Options
If you’ve been researching ketamine online, you’ve probably seen several options. They’re not all the same.
Form | Route | FDA-Approved for Depression? |
|---|---|---|
Spravato® | Nasal spray | Yes, for specific depression indications |
Racemic (50/50 mix) ketamine | IV infusions | No |
Ketamine injections | Intramuscular injections | No |
Sublingual (under the tongue) tablets | Dissolvable tablets | No |
Compounded (custom-mixed) ketamine | Oral, nasal, or other forms | No |
Compared to other treatments, Spravato® is the only FDA-approved option and the only one typically covered by insurance. It’s administered in a certified clinical setting by qualified ketamine physicians, monitored under a strict REMS safety program, and never sent home with patients.
What to Expect: Potential Risks and Side Effects of Spravato®
Since Spravato® is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and side effects that may come with it.
While receiving Spravato® treatment, patients might notice feeling sleepy or a bit lightheaded. Some may also experience a temporary sense of disconnection from their surroundings or dreamlike sensations, which are common and typically mild. It’s perfectly okay to share how you’re feeling with your healthcare provider, as they are there to support you through the process.
Other side effects might include dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, or changes in blood pressure. Some reports state Spravato® can cause hallucinogenic effects, but it’s normally given in controlled, low doses to keep the experience manageable. We want to keep you safe and comfortable.
After treatment, many patients might feel a bit groggy, but are usually awake, conscious, and responsive throughout the 2-hour observation window. Fortunately, most people report feeling more alert after about 30 minutes. That’s why it’s important for patients to have a driver when they receive Spravato®.
Patients with specific vascular conditions or mental health issues, such as psychosis or substance use disorders, might not be eligible for Spravato®. Since Spravato® can be addictive, it is always carefully monitored by doctors during treatment. To ensure safety, various lab tests are required before Spravato® is approved for each patient.
Taking Spravato®: The Oasis Process
We’ll make sure you’re absolutely ready before you begin Spravato®. Treatment includes the following steps:
- Step 1 – Free consultation: A dedicated specialist will have a real conversation with you about your depression and anxiety, your treatment goals, and what you have tried to date. There is no pressure to commit to treatment at this stage.
- Step 2 – Clinical assessment: Our medical professionals and healthcare providers will review your medical history and current medication to determine if Spravato® is both an appropriate and safe treatment for your mental health conditions.
- Step 3 – Insurance verification: Our insurance specialists will verify your insurance coverage and the costs of Spravato® with your insurance provider prior to beginning treatment.
- Step 4 – Spravato® treatment sessions: Sessions will begin twice a week for four weeks, then once a week for the next three weeks. After week 9, you’ll either stay in once-a-week sessions or transition to a maintenance dose, which can be reduced to biweekly or lower frequencies based on your response.
Each Spravato® treatment is provided in a comfortable setting at our clinic, with our care team monitoring your well-being throughout the treatment. Oasis Mental Health Centers offers Spravato® treatment in the following locations in New Jersey:
- Cherry Hill
- Paramus
- Turnersville
- Milburn
- Bridgewater
- Forked River
- Fairfield
- Northfield
- Freehold
- Iselin
- Princeton
- Tinton Falls
Ready to Find Out If Spravato® Is Right for You?
You’ve lived with your depression and anxiety for too long.
Spravato® has been proven to work for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, is covered by insurance, and has already made a life-changing difference in those in need of a real treatment for their anxiety and depression.
Your first step is a free conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ketamine Help With Anxiety?
While ketamine isn’t FDA-approved specifically for anxiety, there’s hopeful news for patients dealing with both treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.
Spravato® is the FDA-approved nasal spray derived from ketamine, and it is the form of ketamine treatment available at Oasis. Research indicates that using Spravato® to treat depression might also help ease anxiety symptoms.
This connection exists because depression and anxiety often involve similar brain pathways, so improving one can sometimes lead to relief from the other.
Does Having Anxiety Affect the Efficacy of Spravato®?
No. The TRANSFORM-2 trial at Janssen found that those with comorbid anxiety conditions experienced the same benefits as those without anxiety. Furthermore, some studies have found that patients with anxiety may experience slightly higher rates of benefit with Spravato®.
Is Spravato® Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Spravato® is covered by insurance for depression symptoms, provided that your plan covers it for the approved use of Spravato®. IV ketamine, injections, and sublingual treatments are not covered by insurance providers.
Sources:
Ahmad R et al., Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 2025 (Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience)
Daly EJ et al., Depression and Anxiety, 2021 (PubMed)
Whittaker E et al., Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 2021 (Sage Journals)
FDA Compounded Ketamine Warning (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
FDA Spravato® Prescribing Information (FDA Access Data)
Spravato® Insurance Coverage Information; Oasis Mental Health Centers. (Spravato®)