For many people living with depression, the road to feeling better can be long and sometimes discouraging. So many paths to recovery come with good efforts with different medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, and other treatments. While some find relief, others may not find the relief they hoped for. When that happens, it can leave people wondering: what else is there?
That’s where ketamine therapy and its FDA-approved form, esketamine (Spravato), come in.
Once known as an anesthetic used in hospitals, ketamine has been studied for over 20 years as a possible treatment for depression. Today, in the right hands and the right setting, it’s helping people who have tried everything else find a new sense of ease and clarity.
At Lumin Health, we make that care safe, personal, and local — delivered by psychiatrists and mental health clinicians who combine clinical expertise with genuine compassion.
How Ketamine Therapy Works
Most antidepressants work by balancing brain chemicals called “monoamines” – serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. For many, they help — but not always enough. About one in three people with depression experience what’s called treatment-resistant depression, meaning their symptoms don’t improve after several medication trials.
Ketamine works differently. Instead of focusing on monoamines, it helps the brain use another messenger called glutamate, which plays a big role in how brain cells talk to each other. By temporarily enhancing the activity of glutamate, ketamine helps “exercise” the brain. This exercise causes the growth of connections – connections that may be diminished when feeling depressed. Many clinicians call this a “window of neuroplasticity,” a short period after treatment when the brain is more open to learning new patterns and letting go of old ones.
As one Lumin Health patient put it, “It wasn’t a sudden change — more like the world opened up a little bit. I could breathe again.”
That renewed flexibility can make therapy more effective, improve motivation, and help people feel more present in their lives again.
Esketamine (Spravato): FDA-Approved and Covered by Insurance
In 2019, the FDA approved esketamine (Spravato) — a nasal form of ketamine — specifically for adults with treatment-resistant depression and depression that comes with suicidal thoughts.
Spravato is not a take-home medication. It’s administered only in REMS-certified medical clinics, under supervision from trained clinicians. Each session includes medical monitoring before, during, and after the dose to make sure patients feel safe and supported.
At Lumin Health, Spravato therapy is covered by most major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, United Healthcare, and Medicare — making this advanced treatment accessible to many who could benefit.
Every patient starts with a thorough evaluation with one of our mental health clinicians. Together, you and your clinician discuss your history, your goals, and whether this approach fits your needs. Treatment is never one-size-fits-all.
What Recovery Can Look Like
Depression can make it hard for the brain to adapt or see possibilities. Ketamine and esketamine (Spravato) help create the conditions where that adaptability can return. Some people describe the early effects as subtle — mornings that feel lighter, thoughts that feel less heavy, or a small spark of motivation they hadn’t felt in a long time.
One patient shared, “I didn’t feel ‘fixed.’ I felt like myself again.”
Those moments may sound small, but in depression care, they can mark the beginning of real change.
Who It’s For — and Who It’s Not
Ketamine and esketamine (Spravato) treatments are used most often for people who haven’t found success with traditional antidepressants. Some studies also suggest that ketamine provides benefit for conditions like PTSD, OCD, and anxiety.
But they aren’t right for everyone. People with certain medical conditions may need to explore other options. That’s why every treatment plan at Lumin Health starts with careful medical and psychiatric screening, as well as an open conversation about risks.
The goal isn’t to rush anyone into treatment — it’s to help you understand whether this approach makes sense for you.
Bringing Safe, Modern Care Closer to Home
With clinics in Woburn, Newton, and Cambridge, Lumin Health brings advanced, evidence-based psychiatry to the Greater Boston community. Our spaces are designed to feel calm, private, and comfortable — because safety isn’t just medical, it’s emotional.
For those who have spent years searching for something that works, ketamine therapy may offer a new kind of hope — one that’s rooted in science, delivered with care, and supported every step of the way.
📍 Lumin Health Ketamine & Spravato Clinic
300 Tradecenter Drive, Suite 3400, Woburn, MA
☎️ 617-863-8810 | 🌐 www.lumin.health
Harvard-trained psychiatrists | Insurance accepted | Complimentary consultation available