Ketamine and accelerated TMS are very effective interventional mental health treatments. They can both treat conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. However, there are a few key differences that can help you decide which treatment is right for you.
What’s the difference?
Ketamine and TMS are both interventional treatments that can effectively treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. Their treatment indications are very similar; however, these treatments have a few key differences.
How it works
Ketamine works on the glutamate system and is globally effective on the brain. It works on neuroplasticity and neural connections, shifting thought patterns and disrupting rumination loops and fight-or-flight loops. This makes ketamine well-suited to treat multiple comorbid conditions at once, such as depression alongside anxiety and PTSD.
TMS is very local. The electromagnetic coil targets a very specific area of the brain to treat a specific mental health condition.
Speed of results
Ketamine works very quickly. Some patients notice a difference after only one treatment. 70-80% of patients experience a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in 2-3 treatments, often delivered within a single week.
Accelerated One-Day and One-Week TMS also work very quickly, often within 1-2 weeks. With standard once-daily TMS, patients may start to notice changes after approximately four weeks of treatment.
Duration of benefit
Mental health treatments typically require occasional boosters to sustain the benefit of treatment.
After the initial series of ketamine treatment, patients typically benefit from an additional infusion every three to five weeks to sustain results.
The benefit of TMS treatment may last slightly longer. With accelerated TMS, patients typically benefit from an additional TMS session every month to two-three months to sustain results.
Consciousness change & treatment restrictions
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that is administered through and IV. Patients are required to fast before treatment, and can expect to see consciousness changes during treatment — to see something, hear something, feel something. The infusion dose is curated for each patient, and the experience is typically described as ‘floaty’ and ‘peaceful‘. The dissociative effects of ketamine wear off quickly; however, patients are unable to drive after treatment.
TMS treatment does not involve sedation. Patients do not need to fast before treatment, will not receive an IV, do not experience consciousness changes, and are able to continue driving after treatment.
Ketamine
Accelerated TMS
Global administration
Targeted treatment
Results in 2-3 infusions
Results in 1-2 weeks
Maintenance every 3-5 weeks
Maintenance every 1-3 months
IV or IM administration
Non-invasive
Involves consciousness changes
No consciousness changes
Fasting & driving restrictions
No fasting or driving restrictions
About Us
Wells Medicine is a Houston-based practice designed to provide meaningful care for mental health. Providing targeted interventional treatments for Depression, Anxiety, OCD, PTSD and other conditions, with Ketamine Treatments, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, TMS, and Nitrous-Oxide Treatments. Focused on comprehensive care and integration with Psychiatry, Psychology, and Support Services. We are evidence-based, patient-focused and mission-driven.
The content here is for informational purposes and should not be relied upon for medical decisions. For the details of your specific medical conditions and treatments consult your doctors or other qualified healthcare professionals.
