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Many people searching for ketamine therapy in Denver are looking for fast-acting treatment options for depression, persistent symptoms, or treatment-resistant mood disorders. Because ketamine and esketamine (Spravato®) are closely related, they are often misunderstood or used interchangeably online — even though they differ significantly in approval status, safety protocols, and how they are administered.
This guide explains the difference, why people confuse them, and what options exist in Denver.
Psyche Denver does not offer IV or IM ketamine therapy. We do provide FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato®) treatment via nasal spray in our REMS-certified clinic.
Table of Contents
Search interest is high for “ketamine,” but many people don’t realize ketamine is not FDA-approved for depression and is often confused with “esketamine,” which is a regulated, medically supervised treatment.
Ketamine has been widely discussed for its ability to produce rapid antidepressant effects.
As awareness has grown, Denver has become a major hub for:
However, it’s important to clarify:
Ketamine therapy for depression is off-label.
It’s legal when given by licensed clinicians, but it is not FDA-approved for mental health conditions.
People searching for “ketamine therapy Denver” are often looking for:
This is where esketamine (Spravato®) becomes highly relevant — but often misunderstood. Though the names are similar, these are very different treatments.
The confusion starts because ketamine and esketamine share a chemical relationship — but that’s where the similarities end.
Ketamine is what’s called a racemic mixture, meaning it contains two mirror-image molecules:
Esketamine is the isolated S-enantiomer of ketamine, a more targeted version of the molecule that interacts with certain receptors more efficiently.
Because of this, many people understandably assume:
“Esketamine is just another type of ketamine.”
But clinically, the two treatments have extremely different requirements, evidence, and approval pathways.
Ketamine has been widely discussed for its ability to produce rapid antidepressant effects.
As awareness has grown, Denver has become a major hub for:
However, it’s important to clarify:
Ketamine therapy for depression is off-label.
It’s legal when given by licensed clinicians, but it is not FDA-approved for mental health conditions.
People searching for “ketamine therapy Denver” are often looking for:
This is where esketamine (Spravato®) becomes highly relevant — but often misunderstood.
| Feature | Ketamine (IV/IM/Lozenge) | Esketamine (Spravato®) |
|---|---|---|
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved for depression. | FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and depressive symptoms with suicidal ideation. |
| Delivery method | IV infusion, IM injection, or sublingual lozenge, depending on the clinic. | Standardized nasal spray device used only in a REMS-certified medical office. |
| Insurance coverage | Rarely covered by insurance; typically out-of-pocket. | Often covered by insurance, including medication and supervised visits. |
| Safety protocol | Monitoring and safety practices vary by provider and setting. | Requires on-site dosing and observation, with at least 2 hours of monitoring after each treatment. |
| Regulation | Used off-label for mood disorders. | FDA-approved and available only through a REMS-certified program. |
Summary:
Esketamine is derived from the ketamine molecule, but differs in approval, regulation, monitoring, and insurance coverage — which is why people confuse them, but why the distinction matters.
A number of overlapping characteristics contribute to the confusion:
Their names sound similar
But the pathways for treatment are very different.
Here’s why the distinction is important when researching treatment options:
Psyche Denver does not provide ketamine infusions or injections.
However, many Coloradans researching depression treatment come across ketamine early in their search.
Here is a high-level overview of the ketamine treatment formats typically offered in Denver:
This section is provided purely for educational purposes, so patients can understand the landscape.
Esketamine is the only ketamine-derived treatment FDA-approved to treat:
Esketamine is administered:
Because of its standardized safety program and FDA approval, many patients find esketamine more accessible and better supported than off-label ketamine therapy.
Patients who begin searching for ketamine therapy often ultimately choose esketamine because:
Esketamine can be a more sustainable or accessible long-term option for many individuals navigating treatment-resistant depression.
Psyche Denver is a REMS-certified esketamine provider offering comprehensive, supportive, and medically supervised treatment in a comfortable setting.
Ketamine is not FDA-approved, not regulated for psychiatric use, and not considered an evidence-based treatment for depression. It is often delivered outside of traditional psychiatric settings and may lack the safety standards required for treating complex mental health conditions. For these reasons, ketamine should not be pursued without a thorough psychiatric evaluation.
It’s also important to understand that esketamine (Spravato®) is not the same as ketamine.
Although the names look similar, the difference has major clinical consequences:
In contrast, ketamine infusions and injections are used off-label, without standardized national guidelines, and with varying levels of provider training or monitoring.
Meeting with a psychiatrist first ensures your diagnosis is accurate, your safety is prioritized, and you are guided toward treatments that are medically validated and appropriately regulated — not off-label options that may not be suitable for your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Psyche Denver provides FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato®) only.
Yes, when administered by licensed medical professionals. However, it is not FDA-approved for depression.
Esketamine (Spravato®) originates from the ketamine molecule, but differs in FDA approval, regulation, delivery, and oversight.
Many insurance plans cover esketamine treatment, including the medication and clinical supervision.
Some patients begin noticing benefits within 1–2 weeks.
Still have questions? Contact Us today.
If you’re researching ketamine therapy, it’s important to understand all available options — including FDA-approved alternatives that are structured, supported, and insurance-accessible.
Psyche Denver is a REMS-certified provider of Spravato® for treatment-resistant depression.
Schedule a consultation to learn whether esketamine is right for you.
We’ll schedule a pre-treatment consultation to learn more about your needs, answer any questions, and help you get started with the right provider and treatment plan.
