Quick Answer
When administered in a monitored clinical setting at therapeutic doses, ketamine has a well-established safety profile for depression treatment. Common side effects during the session include mild dissociation, drowsiness, and temporary blood pressure elevation — which is why we check vitals before, during, and after each dose. The most important safety piece is that ketamine is never a take-home medication for depression. Every session happens in a clinical setting with the full post-dose monitoring period.
This question comes up frequently for patients researching ketamine therapy for depression at Good Health NC in Knightdale, NC.