Is Ketamine a Horse Tranquilizer? Myths & Facts Explained
March 11, 2022
As mental health treatment evolves, ketamine therapy is emerging as a powerful tool—not just for symptom relief, but for lasting transformation. While originally used as an anesthetic, ketamine has gained recognition in recent years for its rapid antidepressant effects. But what truly sets ketamine apart is its unique ability to enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s natural capacity to change and adapt—and even trigger a more dynamic process known as metaplasticity. This phenomenon is helping reshape how we approach psychotherapy for conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to experience, learning, and environmental changes. It's the process that allows us to form new habits, recover from injury, and adapt to challenges. Metaplasticity, often referred to as “plasticity of plasticity,” goes one step further—it enhances the brain’s readiness for change, creating a temporary window of heightened adaptability.
This is where ketamine therapy plays a groundbreaking role.
When administered at sub-anesthetic doses, ketamine promotes the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a protein that supports the growth and connection of neurons. It also activates TrkB receptors, which are critical to the brain’s ability to form new synapses.
This process, known as ketamine neuroplasticity, primes the brain to break free from entrenched thought patterns, making it more responsive to psychotherapy. Patients become more open to new insights and behaviors during and after treatment.
Learn more about how ketamine promotes brain health.
Research suggests that this period of enhanced brain plasticity peaks within 24 to 48 hours following a ketamine session. This short but powerful window is often referred to as a “critical period,” during which the brain is especially malleable—similar to how children rapidly absorb new information during early development.
At Transcend Health Solutions, we recommend integrating a psychotherapy session during this critical window. By aligning therapeutic work with the brain’s heightened receptivity, patients can deepen their insights and more effectively rewire maladaptive patterns.
Learn more about how ketamine feels.
With locations in San Antonio and Austin, Transcend Health Solutions offers a collaborative, evidence-based approach to Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Our team understands the science behind ketamine neuroplasticity and creates thoughtful treatment plans that align therapy sessions with the optimal windows for change.
Contact Transcend Health Solutions today to learn how ketamine neuroplasticity can support your healing journey. Schedule your consultation in San Antonio or Austin now.
Will Ratliff, RN, LP, is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Transcend Health Solutions, a leading provider of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in Austin and San Antonio, Texas. A former flight medic and registered nurse, Will has administered Ketamine in critical care environments ranging from ambulances and ERs to helicopters and roadside emergencies—bringing decades of front-line experience into the therapeutic space.
At Transcend, Will has directly facilitated more than 5,000 IV Ketamine infusions, collaborating closely with KAP therapists to support clients with depression, trauma, anxiety, and treatment-resistant conditions. Alongside Dr. Cord Cunningham, he helped pioneer a real-time titration protocol for IV Ketamine—designed specifically to enhance the depth and effectiveness of psychotherapy during treatment. This innovation has positioned Transcend as a national leader in evidence-based KAP delivery.
Will continues to treat medically complex, adolescent, and geriatric patients while also training the next generation of clinicians. His deep belief is that Ketamine’s true potential lies not just in chemistry, but in its ability to accelerate psychological healing when paired with expertly guided therapy.
Outside the clinic, Will is a dedicated practitioner of meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork, having maintained a daily practice for over 15 years. He’s also passionate about music, martial arts, strength training, and parenting his two children.
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