Ketamine Therapy and ADHD: What the Research Is Starting to Show

When traditional ADHD medications don’t deliver meaningful improvement, ketamine therapy is gaining attention as a different kind of option. Although its use for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is still considered experimental, ketamine works on the brain in a completely different way than stimulant medications—targeting glutamate pathways rather than dopamine.

This guide explores how ketamine may help individuals with treatment-resistant ADHD, how it compares to standard medications, the potential risks involved, and what patients can expect from treatment.

Continue reading to understand whether this emerging therapy could be a fit for your needs and goals.

Key Takeaways

• Ketamine infusion therapy for ADHD is not FDA-approved, is typically not covered by insurance, and has far less research behind it compared to traditional stimulant medications.

• Results can vary widely from person to person. Some individuals report improved calm, focus, and emotional regulation, with effects that may last from hours to several days.

• Unlike stimulant medications that target dopamine, ketamine works on the glutamate system by blocking NMDA receptors. This process helps stimulate new neural connections, which may support positive cognitive changes.

• Intranasal ketamine therapy may be most appropriate for individuals with treatment-resistant ADHD, especially when depression or anxiety are also present—areas where ketamine already has established clinical benefits.

• Fuse Mind & Body provides personalized evaluations and works alongside your existing healthcare providers to ensure care is delivered in a safe, supportive clinical environment.

Ketamine Therapy for People with ADHD.

What Is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, and activity levels. It changes how the brain processes information, which can make it difficult to concentrate, stay still, stay organized, or pause before reacting.

ADHD generally presents in three primary forms, each impacting daily life in different ways:

• Inattentive Type: Difficulty sustaining focus, frequent forgetfulness, disorganization, and easy distraction

• Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Restlessness, frequent fidgeting, excessive movement, and acting without thinking

• Combined Type: A mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

  
  

Most individuals with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications such as Adderall or Ritalin. These medications work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain to improve focus, attention, and impulse control.

Can Ketamine Help With ADHD Symptoms?

Ketamine therapy for ADHD is still considered experimental and does not have FDA approval for this condition. Because of this, insurance typically does not cover ketamine treatment for ADHD, and large-scale clinical research remains limited compared to traditional stimulant medications.

That said, some clinics and research groups are beginning to explore ketamine as an option for individuals who have not responded well to standard ADHD treatments. Interest has also grown due to ketamine’s expanding use in other mental health conditions, including depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and OCD.

What makes ketamine different is how it works in the brain. Unlike traditional ADHD medications that primarily target dopamine, ketamine acts on the glutamate system, offering a completely different mechanism that may influence focus, mood regulation, and cognitive flexibility.

Mechanism Overview

Unlike traditional ADHD medications, ketamine works through a different neurological pathway. Instead of stimulating dopamine and norepinephrine, ketamine influences how brain cells communicate—potentially supporting cognitive function and executive control in a new way.

Ketamine’s effects occur primarily through its interaction with NMDA receptors, which play a key role in the brain’s glutamate system. Glutamate is involved in learning, memory formation, and neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections. By temporarily blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine may help promote the growth of new neural pathways that support thinking, focus, and emotional regulation.

In contrast, standard ADHD medications increase dopamine and norepinephrine to improve attention and reduce impulsivity. Ketamine’s glutamate-based mechanism offers a fundamentally different approach that may benefit individuals who have not responded well to stimulant therapy.

Low-Dose Ketamine for ADHD

Low-dose ketamine uses significantly smaller amounts than what is used in surgical anesthesia. In mental health treatment, these controlled doses are designed to support brain function while minimizing unwanted side effects.

Because ketamine therapy for ADHD is still being studied, there is no universal dosing standard at this time. A qualified medical provider with experience in ketamine-based treatment determines dosage based on your medical history, symptoms, and overall health profile.

Does Ketamine Make ADHD Symptoms Better or Worse?

Ketamine can affect ADHD symptoms differently from person to person. Some individuals report feeling calmer, more focused, and mentally clearer after treatment. Others may notice temporary issues with attention or concentration, especially during or shortly after a session. These short-term effects are often linked to ketamine’s dissociative properties.

How you respond can depend on several key factors:

• Brain Chemistry: Individual differences in how the brain reacts to glutamate changes

• Symptom Profile: Whether inattentiveness or hyperactivity is more dominant

• Coexisting Conditions: The presence of depression or anxiety, which ketamine is already known to impact

• Timing of Treatment: Effects can fluctuate throughout the day following a session

In most cases, any changes—positive or negative—are temporary. Symptom shifts typically last hours to a few days, rather than producing long-term effects after a single treatment.

What to Expect From Ketamine Therapy for ADHD

Ketamine therapy is administered in a controlled medical environment, where trained professionals monitor you throughout the entire process. Each treatment follows established safety protocols to ensure a predictable, supportive experience from start to finish.

Most patients require a series of sessions over several weeks. Early sessions help your clinical team understand how you respond to ketamine, while later sessions focus on building and maintaining any benefits, adjusting the plan as needed, and tracking side effects or improvements.

What a Typical Session Looks Like

Every ketamine session includes several structured steps designed for safety, comfort, and effective monitoring:

• Pre-treatment evaluation: Your medical team reviews your medical history, symptoms, and current medications.

• Preparation: Vital signs are checked, and you’re settled into a comfortable treatment space.

• Administration: Ketamine is given either intravenously or through a nasal spray while staff monitor your physical and emotional response.

• Monitoring: You’re observed throughout the session and generally for up to two hours afterward to ensure stable recovery.

• Follow-up: Your provider checks in on how you’re feeling, reviews any symptom changes, and plans the next steps in your treatment schedule.

5 Key Benefits of Low-Dose Ketamine for ADHD

These potential benefits are based on early research and patient experiences. Results vary widely, and more clinical studies are needed.

1. Increased Calm

Ketamine may help ease the physical restlessness often associated with hyperactive ADHD. Many patients describe feeling more grounded and settled after treatment. This calming effect can last for several days and may be helpful if constant movement or fidgeting interferes with daily routines.

2. Rapid Mood Support

Depression is common in people with ADHD, and ketamine is well-known for its fast-acting antidepressant effects. Many patients experience noticeable mood improvement within hours to days. When mood stabilizes, other ADHD symptoms can become easier to manage, creating space for clearer thinking and better emotional regulation.

3. Potential Improvements in Focus

Some individuals report sharper thinking or improved mental clarity following ketamine therapy. However, this benefit is inconsistent — others may experience temporary fogginess instead. Any focus improvement is often tied to reduced anxiety or elevated mood rather than a direct effect on core ADHD symptoms.

4. Reduced Anxiety

Anxiety can intensify ADHD symptoms, making concentration difficult. Ketamine’s ability to reduce anxiety quickly may indirectly improve attention by lowering the mental “background noise.”With less internal tension, tasks often feel more manageable and organization comes more naturally.

5. Works Alongside Other Treatments

Ketamine can be part of a broader, integrated treatment plan. Patients can continue behavioral therapy, medication, coaching, or other supports while exploring ketamine’s benefits. Coordinated care ensures each treatment complements the others and keeps you on a stable, safe path toward improvement.

How Long Does Ketamine Treatment for ADHD Last?

Ketamine’s effects on ADHD symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Most individuals require ongoing sessions to maintain any benefits they experience.

A commonly used treatment structure may include:

• Initial phase: 2–3 sessions per week for 2–3 weeks

• Maintenance phase: Sessions spaced every few weeks or once per month

• Effect duration: Benefits may last days to weeks after each session

This approach differs from standard ADHD medications, which typically require daily, consistent dosing. Because ketamine for ADHD remains experimental, the most effective long-term schedule is still being studied and refined.

Can Ketamine and Adderall Be Used Together?

Using ketamine alongside Adderall may be possible in some cases, but it requires close medical supervision. These medications affect the nervous system in different ways and can interact in complex patterns.

A properly supervised treatment plan should include:

• Vital sign monitoring: Both medications can influence heart rate and blood pressure

• Dosage adjustments: Stimulant dosing may need to be modified during ketamine treatment

• Symptom tracking: Close observation for unexpected side effects or changes

• Coordinated care: Clear communication between all providers involved

When multiple therapies are used together, coordination is essential to ensure safety, stability, and the best possible outcome.

Finding Hope in New Therapies

Living with treatment-resistant ADHD can be frustrating and exhausting—especially when you’ve tried standard medications without the relief you hoped for. For some individuals, exploring newer treatment options like ketamine therapy can open the door to renewed possibility.

Ketamine is part of a growing wave of innovative approaches being studied for complex mental health conditions. While research is still evolving, carefully supervised protocols have already helped some patients experience meaningful improvements in mood, focus, and emotional balance.

The path to effective ADHD care isn’t always straightforward. It often involves trial, adjustment, and a personalized strategy that reflects your unique brain chemistry and life circumstances. Fuse Mind & Body takes that individualized approach seriously—offering thoughtful evaluations and a calm, supportive, spa-like clinical setting for patients who haven’t found success with conventional options.

The first step is a thorough clinical assessment to determine whether ketamine therapy is an appropriate fit for your needs. Completing an evaluation with Fuse Mind & Body allows you to explore your treatment options and decide—based on medical guidance—whether this approach could be part of your next chapter forward.