Depression Treatments, Industry News

October 14, 2025

Study Shows IV Ketamine Outperforms Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment‑Resistant Depression

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Is IV Ketamine Better Than Esketamine (Spravato)? Research Shows a Clear Winner

Study Shows IV Ketamine Outperforms Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment‑Resistant Depression

A recent clinical study conducted by Harvard-affiliated researchers has delivered important insights for individuals seeking advanced treatments for depression. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, directly compared intravenous (IV) ketamine with intranasal esketamine in patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression. The findings? IV ketamine provides both faster and more significant symptom relief.

At Mind Body Centers, we exclusively offer ketamine infusion therapy via IV administration, precisely because of its proven clinical effectiveness in treating chronic pain and mood disorders, including anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Suicidality, and depression.

What the Study Found

Conducted at McLean Hospital in Boston, this retrospective study examined 153 adult patients undergoing treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression. Of these, 111 received IV ketamine and 42 received intranasal esketamine. All patients completed an induction phase of eight sessions over four to five weeks.

Key findings:

IV ketamine led to a 49.22% reduction in depression severity.
Intranasal esketamine showed only a 39.55% reduction.
IV ketamine produced faster relief, with noticeable effects after the first treatment.
Esketamine did not show significant improvements until after the second session.

Why IV Ketamine is the Right Choice

While both treatment types showed benefits, the stronger and quicker response from IV ketamine therapy is hard to ignore. Although 49% and 39% may appear to differ by only 10 percentage points, the relative difference shows IV ketamine to be 24% more effective in relative terms. At Mind Body Centers, we focus on delivering this more effective form of care in a controlled, medically supervised environment.

At Mind Body Centers, our success rate of 88% with Mental Health clients is significantly higher than the study’s 49.22%. Our success rate is nearly 20% higher than many other clinics, in large part due to our 10+ years of experience medically supervising more than 20,000 ketamine infusions.

More Predictable Results

Because IV ketamine is administered directly into the bloodstream, it bypasses many of the absorption and variability issues that can occur with intranasal sprays. This allows for more precise dosing, which translates to more consistent results.

Trusted by Experts

Even the study’s lead authors emphasized the importance of evidence-based, safety-first approaches when considering ketamine treatments. With decades of research behind IV ketamine, and its extensive use in hospitals for both psychiatric and anesthetic purposes, it remains a preferred option among clinicians for cases of depression.

Comprehensive Mental Health Benefits

Our patients often seek treatment for more than just depression. IV ketamine therapy has shown promise for those struggling with:

Serving Communities in Gilbert, AZ and Burnsville, MN

With convenient clinic locations in Gilbert, AZ and Burnsville, MN, Mind Body Centers makes high-quality IV ketamine care accessible to patients across Arizona and Minnesota. Our experienced providers offer personalized treatment plans in a relaxing, private setting. We provide one-on-one monitored care and support and our qualified expert Patient Care Provider stays with you in the room during your treatment.

Ask About Our Hero Discount

We proudly offer a Hero Discount those who selflessly serve our communities. Learn more about our Hero and Military Discount here.

Conclusion

The recent study affirms what many in the mental health community have already seen firsthand: IV ketamine therapy offers faster, more effective relief for patients battling depression. If you or a loved one is searching for a breakthrough treatment option, Mind Body Centers is here to help.