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IV Psychedelic Therapy for Depression

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A New Path to Healing from Depression

If you're living with depression and nothing seems to help, even after trying antidepressants, talk therapy or lifestyle changes, you're not alone. Up to 70 percent of people with depression don't fully respond to traditional treatments. This can leave you feeling stuck, and unsure where to turn next.

At Ketamind Health, we offer medically supervised IV psychedelic therapy in Toronto and the GTA. This treatment works differently from standard antidepressants, helping your brain reset and heal in new ways.

Our clinical team is here to listen, support you and create a care plan tailored to your needs, from your first consultation through every step of your treatment journey.

The Science Behind IV Psychedelic Treatment for Depression

The Science Behind IV Psychedelic Treatment for Depression

There is a psychedelic that works differently than traditional antidepressants. It targets the NMDA receptor, which increases the protein BDNF. This supports the brain’s ability to form new pathways, which is known as neuroplasticity.

Depression and trauma can disrupt healthy brain function over time. By supporting new connections in the brain, IV psychedelic therapy may help people feel more present, less stuck, and better able to engage with life again, sometimes within days of starting treatment.

Why Consider IV Psychedelic Therapy for Depression?

  • Rapid Improvement: IV psychedelic therapy works faster than traditional antidepressants, with many patients noticing a shift in mood after the first few infusions.
  • Proven Results: Research shows psychedelic infusions can significantly ease depression, even when people have not responded to other treatments.
  • Promotes Brain Healing: Psychedelic supports neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new connections and restore pathways affected by depression.
  • Safe and Well-Tolerated: In a medical setting, psychedelic therapy is safe and well-tolerated, with far fewer side effects than antidepressants.
  • Reduces Suicidal Thoughts: IV psychedelic therapy can rapidly decrease suicidal thinking, often within hours of the first infusion.

Understanding Depression

Depression is often more than a chemical imbalance or low mood. It can be the result of long-term stress, unresolved emotional pain, or past experiences that continue to affect how the brain and nervous system function.

Difficult life events, such as childhood trauma, chronic illness, or grief, can leave lasting imprints that traditional treatments don’t always address.

Over time, these patterns can become deeply rooted, making it hard to feel fully involved with life.

IV psychedelic therapy offers a different approach. It can loosen stuck patterns and allow space for new emotional responses. Many people feel more present, connected, and hopeful.

What to Expect at Ketamind Health

  • We administer psychedelic treatments for depression through intravenous infusion, which is the most effective and scientifically validated method. A typical course of treatment consists of 6 infusions over three weeks, with each session lasting about 60 minutes. Throughout your treatments, you will be supported by our interdisciplinary care team, led by our experienced Royal College anesthesiologist with oversight from our psychiatrist.
  • During an IV psychedelic infusion, many patients experience a gentle dissociative state, often described as a dream-like or “out-of-body” sensation. For many, this is a valued part of the healing process, helping them access new perspectives and emotional clarity. At each session, you will be monitored the entire time by our expert and compassionate team.
  • At Ketamind Health, your safety and comfort are our highest priority. We use hospital grade monitoring equipment to continuously track your vital signs, including pulse, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and electrocardiogram
  • To support optimal outcomes, we provide a spa-like treatment environment designed to promote comfort, calm, and peace of mind.
Nurse Justin and Dr. Darren Ezer caring for a patient during ketamine infusion therapy in a Toronto clinic.
Small round table with candles, a speaker, and a lamp creating a calming atmosphere for ketamine therapy sessions.

What Sets Ketamind Health Apart?

  • At Ketamind Health, your care is led by Dr. Darren Ezer, a Royal College–certified anesthesiologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. Under his direction, our team has safely administered over 15, 000 psychedelic infusions and helped people across Canada access evidence-based mental health treatment.
  • To measure progress, we track and assess mood using validated tools such as the PHQ-9 for depression. According to our data, more than 80% of our patients report improvement in their depression symptoms following psychedelic treatment.
  • Our approach goes beyond the infusion itself. You’ll meet with a therapist beforehand to prepare and set intentions. During your sessions, our compassionate mental health nurses will be by your side to ensure you feel safe and supported. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with a therapist to help process your experience and apply insights in a way that supports lasting change.
  • We’ve built our facility to feel calm, private, and welcoming, creating an environment that supports relaxation and healing. Every care plan is personalized, with dosing tailored to your individual response and needs.
Nurse Justin speaking with a patient resting on a reclining sofa during ketamine therapy treatment planning.

Is IV Psychedelic Therapy for Depression Safe?

  • Yes — when administered in a clinical setting by trained professionals, psychedelic therapy is considered safe and well-tolerated.
  • At Ketamind Health, your treatment is overseen by our experienced medical staff. We use low-dose intravenous infusions and monitor you continuously throughout each session with state-of-the-art equipment. We also ensure that each person is emotionally supported by our care team at all times.
  • Mild side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, or nausea can occasionally occur, but they typically resolve soon after treatment. Serious side effects are rare, and we carefully review your medical history beforehand to make sure IV psychedelic therapy is appropriate and safe for you.
Young woman meditating outdoors in a city park, representing mindfulness and mental health balance.

Who Is the Ideal Candidate for IV Psychedelic Therapy for Depression?

  • You may be exploring new approaches to depression treatment because what you’ve tried so far hasn’t brought the results you were hoping for. IV psychedelic therapy may offer a new path forward, especially for those who have felt stuck, emotionally exhausted, or overwhelmed by persistent depression symptoms. In some cases, it can also provide support during periods of heightened distress, including thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
  • At the same time, IV psychedelic therapy is not the right fit for everyone. Certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, specific heart issues, or active substance use, may affect whether it’s safe. Our team takes the time to review your full health history with care and attention, so we can determine if IV psychedelic therapy is a safe and appropriate option for you.
  • Before beginning treatment, you’ll meet with a member of our clinical team for a comprehensive consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your goals, your previous experiences with treatment, and any questions or concerns you may have. This process helps us develop a treatment plan that is thoughtful, safe, and personalised to your needs.

Your Path to Healing with IV Psychedelic Therapy

1- Consultation

Your journey begins with a thorough medical and psychological consultation with our clinical team. We review your full health history, current symptoms, treatment goals, and assess whether IV psychedelic therapy is a safe and appropriate fit for you.

2- Preparation

Once you are approved for treatment, you’ll meet with a licensed integration therapist before your first infusion. This session helps you mentally and emotionally prepare, establish clear intentions, and begin to explore the emotional landscape that IV psychedelic therapy may help you access.

3- Infusion Series

You’ll receive six intravenous psychedelic infusions over 3 weeks in our relaxing Markham clinic. Each session is carefully monitored the entire time by our medical staff.

4- Integration Therapy

After your sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with an integration therapist. These sessions help you process your experiences, apply insights to your daily life, and support long-term healing. Integration is a vital component in translating the benefits of IV psychedelic therapy into meaningful life change.

5- Maintenance Planning

After the initial infusion series, we’ll work with you to develop a customized maintenance plan. This may include occasional booster infusions, check-ins with our team, and continued integration support to ensure sustained well-being.

Start Your Journey
Patient relaxing comfortably during a supervised ketamine infusion therapy session at our Toronto clinic.
Nurse Tara monitoring a patient during ketamine infusion therapy in a calm clinical setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon will I notice improvements in my depression symptoms?

Everyone’s experience is a little different. Many people begin to notice changes in mood between the third and fifth infusion. A smaller number may feel a shift immediately after the first session, while for others the progress builds more gradually and becomes clearer once the initial series is complete.

Do I need ongoing treatments?

After the initial series of six infusions, some people feel stable without additional sessions. Others find that occasional maintenance infusions every 3 to 8 weeks help them stay on track. We’ll work closely with you to create a plan that supports your long‑term wellbeing.

Will IV psychedelic therapy cure my depression?

IV psychedelic therapy isn’t a cure, but it can help many people feel better in a short amount of time and support the brain in creating new pathways. This often opens a window for healing, making it easier to engage in therapy, healthy lifestyle practices, self‑care, and other supports that build lasting wellness.

Can I still take my antidepressants while receiving IV psychedelic therapy?

In most cases, yes. Many people continue their medications during treatment. Our medical team will review your full history to make sure everything you’re taking is safe and works well alongside ketamine.

Is psychedelic infusion therapy approved by Health Canada?

At our clinic, we use a psychedelic that is a Health Canada-approved medication. Health Canada approved this psychedelic in the 1970s as an anaesthetic for diagnostic and surgical procedures. However, it’s currently not approved for other indications, like mood conditions. Doctors can, nevertheless, prescribe this psychedelic as “off-label” for other medical conditions. This means that a doctor can legally prescribe IV psychedelic therapy, even if it’s not specifically approved by Health Canada. Off-label use of medications is actually quite common in medicine, with almost one-quarter of medications being prescribed off-label worldwide.

 

Since the psychedelic we use is a generic drug, it’s unlikely to ever be approved by Health Canada for conditions such as depression. The cost of going through the approval process could be millions of dollars, and since it’s already widely used and approved as an anaesthetic, it’s doubtful that any company would be willing to pay that.

 

This psychedelic is approved by Health Canada in the form of an intranasal spray. This is specifically for treating major depressive disorder in patients who have previously not responded to two or more antidepressants.

Take the Next Step

  • Depression can affect every part of your life, including your work, your relationships, and your overall sense of well-being. As a leading provider of IV psychedelic therapy for depression in Toronto, Ontario and Canada we want you to know that hope and healing are possible.
  • If you're ready to explore whether IV psychedelic therapy is right for you, we invite you to reach out. All inquiries are completely confidential, and we offer free consultations to help you make an informed decision. Fill out our contact form or call or text us at (416) 343-0074. We’re here when you’re ready.
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Ready to Begin Your Journey with Ketamind Health?

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

Taking the first step toward feeling better starts with a conversation. Our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help you explore the best next steps for your care.

We believe expert treatment should be accessible. That’s why our clinic offers an affordable fee structure and a compassionate approach. If you’re curious about whether our treatments could be right for you, we’d be happy to talk.

Please complete the form, and a member of our team will reach out within one business day.

We look forward to connecting with you soon.

Conveniently Located in Markham, Ontario

Located near Highway 7, the 407 and the 404, Ketamind Health provides evidence-based care for patients from communities across Ontario, including Toronto, Richmond Hill, Oshawa, Vaughan, and Thornhill.

Our clinic is easily accessible via major routes. This makes it simple for those from across the Greater Toronto Area to reach us for safe, medically supervised treatment in a calm and spa-like environment.