The past doesn't have to keep running the show.
In PTSD, the brain's threat detection system never fully stands down. The amygdala — which processes fear and danger — remains hyperactive, firing alarm signals long after the original threat has passed. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, which should be able to evaluate those signals and say "you're safe now," has been weakened by chronic stress and trauma.
Every time a traumatic memory is recalled, it goes through a process called reconsolidation — it's temporarily destabilized and then re-stored. This is why triggers can feel as vivid and overwhelming as the original event. The memory keeps getting reinforced with its full emotional charge.
Ketamine also reduces amygdala hyperactivity and promotes extinction learning — the process of forming new, safer associations that compete with fear responses. Emerging research shows it can reduce the neuroinflammation associated with chronic trauma, which may contribute to the persistent cognitive and emotional symptoms of PTSD.
At Music City Ketamine in Franklin, TN, Marla Peterson, CRNA administers every infusion in a private suite designed to feel safe and contained. You'll have a weighted blanket, eye mask, and calming music. Walter, our laid-back Director of Hugs, may settle in nearby — a quiet, grounding presence while you rest.
Ready to explore whether ketamine therapy is right for you?
Schedule a Consultation"For years, the memories were right there — always on the surface, always ready to pull me under. After my fourth infusion, I noticed something different. The memories were still there, but there was space between me and them. I could think about what happened without being back in it. I didn't know that was possible."
"I almost didn't go through with it. But Marla made me feel safe from the very first conversation. She explained everything, checked in constantly, and never rushed me. Having the dogs there — Walter just lying quietly nearby — made it feel less clinical and more like somewhere I could actually let my guard down."
Different mechanism. While exposure therapy works by repeatedly facing triggers in a safe environment, ketamine works on the neurobiological level by disrupting fear memory reconsolidation and promoting new neural pathways. Many patients find ketamine can complement their existing therapy.
Marla Peterson, CRNA has 20+ years of anesthesia experience and monitors every infusion in real time at Music City Ketamine in Franklin, TN. The dose is carefully controlled to stay within the therapeutic range. Many patients with complex trauma find the experience calming rather than triggering.
The standard protocol is 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks. Research shows that repeated infusions produce more sustained improvement than single doses. Maintenance sessions are tailored to your individual response. At Music City Ketamine, Marla Peterson, CRNA creates a personalized treatment plan for each patient.
If your nervous system is still stuck in the past, ketamine therapy may offer a way to process what happened and move forward. Let's talk about whether treatment at Music City Ketamine in Franklin, TN is right for you.
Schedule a Conversation Text (615) 988-4600