Honest answers to the questions we hear most.
IV ketamine therapy is a medical treatment where ketamine is administered intravenously under direct clinical supervision. Unlike traditional antidepressants that target serotonin, ketamine works through the glutamate system to promote rapid neuroplasticity — essentially helping your brain form new, healthier neural connections. It has shown a 67% response rate for treatment-resistant depression in clinical trials.
IV ketamine provides 100% bioavailability — your body receives the full therapeutic dose. Nasal spray (Spravato/esketamine) has roughly 25-50% bioavailability, and oral lozenges are around 17-20%. IV delivery also allows your provider to adjust the infusion rate in real time based on your response. No other delivery method offers this level of precision and control.
Many patients notice a shift in mood or pain levels 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. The standard protocol is 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks to build a sustained response.
IV ketamine has shown clinical efficacy for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, chronic pain conditions (including CRPS and fibromyalgia), OCD, suicidal ideation, and substance use disorders. Research is ongoing, but the evidence base for depression and chronic pain is particularly strong.
Ketamine has been FDA-approved as an anesthetic since 1970 and has one of the longest safety records of any anesthetic agent. At Music City Ketamine, every infusion is administered by Marla Peterson, CRNA, with 20+ years of anesthesia experience. Your vital signs — heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation — are monitored continuously throughout your session.
Most patients describe a sensation of deep relaxation, mild dissociation, and sometimes visual or emotional experiences. You'll be in a private suite with a recliner, weighted blanket, eye mask, and calming music. Marla is present throughout the infusion and can adjust your dose if needed. Sessions last about 40-60 minutes, with a brief recovery period afterward.
Most patients tell us it's nothing like what they expected. Before placing the IV, Marla applies a topical numbing agent — something most clinics don't bother with. She uses an ultra-small gauge needle, and her technique comes from 20+ years of placing IVs in surgical settings. Patients routinely tell us they didn't even realize the IV was in. Once it's placed, you won't feel it at all — the infusion itself is completely painless.
Every surface, every piece of equipment, every touchpoint is sanitized between sessions using hospital-grade protocols. Fresh linens for every patient. One patient at a time means the room is yours — no shared waiting areas, no overlap. Marla comes from a surgical background where sterile technique isn't optional, and that standard carries through everything we do. If cleanliness matters to you, you'll notice the difference.
The standard initial protocol is 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks. Some patients feel significant improvement after just one or two sessions. After the initial series, maintenance infusions are scheduled based on your individual response — typically once every 3-6 weeks, though this varies by patient.
No referral is required. You can schedule a consultation directly with Music City Ketamine. During the consultation, Marla will review your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals to determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate for you. We do coordinate with your existing providers when helpful.
No. You will need someone to drive you home after your infusion. The dissociative effects of ketamine typically wear off within 1-2 hours, but for safety reasons, you should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or make important decisions for the rest of the day following treatment.
A single IV ketamine infusion is $475. The standard initial series of 6 infusions is $2,850, with package pricing available. See our pricing page for full details. We also offer financing options.
Most insurance plans do not currently cover IV ketamine for psychiatric conditions, as it is considered off-label use. However, we can provide a superbill (detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many patients with HSA or FSA accounts use those funds for treatment.
Music City Ketamine is located at 480 Duke Dr., Suite #100, Franklin, TN 37067 — just south of Cool Springs. We're about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, 12 minutes from Brentwood, and 5 minutes from Cool Springs Galleria. Free parking on-site.
We offer flexible scheduling Monday through Friday, with evening and weekend appointments available. We understand that people seeking treatment often have work and family obligations, so we accommodate schedules accordingly.
A consultation is free and carries no obligation. Let's talk about whether ketamine therapy is right for you.
Schedule a Conversation Text (615) 988-4600