Ketamine Therapy Helps Suicidal Teen Overcome Depression, but Risks Remain

In September 2025, 16-year-old Lucy's mental health struggles had reached a breaking point. After trying various antidepressants, years of therapy, and an intensive outpatient program, her mother Jacintha decided to take a drastic measure - ketamine therapy.

Ketamine, once known as a horse tranquilizer, has gained popularity in recent years as a last-resort treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression. While the therapy has shown promising results, especially in stimulating the brain's resilience mechanisms, experts warn of potential addiction risks and lack of research on its effects on young brains.

Despite these concerns, Jacintha and Lucy decided to give it a try. Over the course of April and May 2023, Lucy underwent 12 ketamine infusion sessions at a clinic in Washington. The therapy helped her manage her self-harm and OCD-triggered panic attacks, allowing her to return to school. However, Lucy now reflects that she may have been "a little too young" for the treatment.

Experts like Dr. John Krystal of Yale School of Medicine caution that ketamine therapy should be a last resort for young people, as the "unformed" adolescent brain may be more susceptible to negative effects. The field of ketamine therapy also remains largely unregulated, with quality and safety varying across clinics.

While Lucy and Jacintha don't regret the decision, they acknowledge that the therapy is not a miracle cure. Jacintha wishes they had seen "bigger results," and both remain cautious about the long-term implications of introducing Lucy to the "euphoric feeling" of ketamine.