When antidepressants aren't enough.
Traditional antidepressants like SSRIs target serotonin — and for many people, that's simply not where the problem lives. Ketamine works through an entirely different pathway: the glutamate system, the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter.
Depression is associated with reduced dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex — the neural connections that allow brain cells to communicate effectively become weaker and fewer over time. This is one reason depression can feel like thinking through fog.
By blocking NMDA receptors and subsequently activating AMPA receptors, ketamine creates a neuroplasticity window — a period where the brain becomes more capable of forming new, healthier patterns of thought and emotion. This is why many patients describe the experience as feeling like a weight has been lifted, sometimes after their very first infusion.
At Music City Ketamine in Franklin, TN, Marla Peterson, CRNA administers every infusion in a private suite with real-time monitoring, adjusting your dose to optimize this neurobiological response. You'll have a weighted blanket, eye mask, and calming music. And Walter White, our Director of Hugs, may wander by to check on you.
Ready to explore whether ketamine therapy is right for you?
Schedule a Consultation"I had been on antidepressants for twelve years. Different brands, different doses — nothing ever really lifted the fog. After my second infusion with Marla, I cried for the first time in months. Not from sadness. From relief. I could feel things again."
"The space is warm and calming, and Wilma made herself at home on my lap before my session even started. Marla explains everything clearly and checks in throughout. I felt safe and cared for — which matters a lot when you've been struggling."
Many patients notice a shift in mood within hours of their first infusion. Clinical studies show significant improvement in depressive symptoms within 24 hours, compared to 4-8 weeks for traditional antidepressants. At Music City Ketamine in Franklin, TN, Marla Peterson, CRNA monitors your response in real time to optimize your treatment.
Ketamine works through an entirely different mechanism than SSRIs and SNRIs. Rather than targeting serotonin, it works through the glutamate system to promote rapid neuroplasticity. Clinical trials show a 67% response rate in patients with treatment-resistant depression — people for whom multiple medications have failed.
The standard protocol is 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks, followed by maintenance infusions based on your individual response. Some patients feel significant relief after just one or two sessions. At Music City Ketamine, Marla Peterson, CRNA creates a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
If antidepressants haven't given you your life back, it might be time to try a different approach. Let's talk about whether ketamine therapy at Music City Ketamine in Franklin, TN is right for you.
Schedule a Conversation Text (615) 988-4600