Approximately one in three people diagnosed with major depressive disorder does not achieve remission after two or more adequate medication trials — a clinical reality that defines treatment-resistant depression, and one that we see daily at KDI Health. Founded by Dr. Stephen Gasper, a board-certified emergency physician and former Marine who built this clinic because he saw firsthand how many people were falling through the cracks of conventional psychiatry, KDI Health offers IV ketamine infusion therapy with a level of physician involvement that is relatively rare in this specialty: Dr. Gasper personally oversees every session, one patient at a time.
How IV Ketamine Works: Evidence, Mechanism, and Speed of Onset
Ketamine’s use for depression is considered off-label — its FDA approval is for anesthesia, and its psychiatric applications are not FDA-approved for those indications, despite being supported by a substantial body of peer-reviewed research and practiced at major academic medical centers nationwide. We believe patients deserve that distinction stated clearly. What the evidence does show — across trials published in journals including JAMA Psychiatry and the American Journal of Psychiatry — is that IV ketamine produces clinically significant antidepressant effects in a meaningful proportion of patients who have failed multiple prior treatments, often within hours to days. That speed of onset is unlike any other antidepressant currently available.
Ketamine works through a mechanism entirely different from SSRIs or SNRIs. Rather than adjusting serotonin or norepinephrine levels, it acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist — blocking glutamate receptors in a way that rapidly promotes the growth of new synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex. This neuroplastic effect is thought to underlie ketamine’s antidepressant properties, and it explains why improvement can begin so quickly relative to conventional medications. For patients living with treatment-resistant depression who have been waiting months for a medication to work only to find it does not, that shift in timeline is clinically and humanly significant.
The IV Ketamine Protocol at KDI Health in Frisco, TX
Our IV ketamine protocol at KDI Health follows an evidence-based induction series of six infusions over two to three weeks. Each infusion lasts approximately forty minutes, during which Dr. Gasper provides direct physician oversight throughout the session. We monitor vital signs continuously and adjust dosing based on your individual response. After the induction series, many patients transition to maintenance infusions scheduled monthly or as needed based on symptom trajectory.
Cost, Insurance, and Financing Your Treatment
We want to address a concern we hear frequently: cost. IV ketamine is typically not covered by commercial insurance, which means patients pay out of pocket for each infusion. We understand that this represents a real financial barrier, and we do not minimize it. Our team is transparent about the full cost of a standard series from the first conversation, and we encourage every prospective patient to ask directly about financing options. We have seen what relief from treatment-resistant depression means for people’s lives — their relationships, their ability to work, their sense of future — and we do not want cost to be the only thing standing between someone and a treatment that might meaningfully help. Results vary by individual, and we discuss realistic expectations during your consultation.
What to Expect During Your Ketamine Infusion Session
The second thing we hear frequently is uncertainty about what a ketamine session actually involves. Ketamine produces a dissociative, altered-state experience during the infusion — patients often describe changes in sensory perception, altered sense of time, and a dream-like quality. These effects are expected, time-limited, and closely monitored. They resolve within thirty to sixty minutes of the infusion ending. Dr. Gasper prepares every patient extensively before their first session so there are no surprises, and he is present throughout to answer questions and provide reassurance.
Physician-Led Care for TRD in the DFW Area: Why KDI Health
For patients who have tried antidepressants without adequate relief — and particularly for the veteran and active-duty community in the DFW area, for whom Dr. Gasper built this clinic specifically — IV ketamine at KDI Health represents a rigorously supervised, physician-led option. We see one patient at a time. That is not a marketing phrase; it is how we operate, because we believe that the level of attention Dr. Gasper can give to a single patient during a ketamine session is fundamentally different from what a clinic running multiple rooms simultaneously can provide. To learn more about how our team approaches care, read about how KDI Health innovates ketamine care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IV ketamine for depression FDA-approved?
No. Ketamine’s use for depression is off-label. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, and its psychiatric applications — including for treatment-resistant depression — are not FDA-approved, though they are widely practiced and supported by peer-reviewed research. Always discuss this with your provider.
How long does an IV ketamine infusion take?
The infusion itself lasts approximately forty minutes. Patients remain at KDI Health for monitoring after the infusion; plan for approximately two hours total for your appointment.
How quickly does IV ketamine work for depression?
Many patients notice mood improvement within hours to days of their first or second infusion — a timeline that contrasts sharply with the six to eight weeks typically required for traditional antidepressants. Results vary by individual; some patients do not respond.
Does Dr. Gasper see each patient personally?
Yes. Dr. Gasper personally oversees every session at KDI Health and sees one patient at a time. This direct physician oversight throughout every infusion is central to how we practice.
What happens after the initial six-infusion series?
Many patients transition to maintenance infusions — typically monthly or as needed based on symptom response. We assess your trajectory at the end of the induction series and discuss maintenance options in full.
Key Takeaways
- IV ketamine for depression is an off-label treatment supported by peer-reviewed research for treatment-resistant depression.
- Ketamine acts on NMDA/glutamate receptors rather than serotonin, producing antidepressant effects in hours to days rather than weeks.
- KDI Health in Frisco, TX offers direct physician oversight by Dr. Stephen Gasper at every session, with one patient treated at a time.
- A standard induction protocol involves six infusions over two to three weeks, often followed by maintenance dosing.
- Results vary by individual; cost is an important factor as IV ketamine is typically not covered by insurance.
If you have tried two or more antidepressants without adequate relief and are living in the DFW area, we encourage you to reach out to KDI Health for a consultation. Dr. Gasper built this clinic to serve people who have run out of conventional options — including veterans, first responders, and anyone else who has been carrying the weight of treatment-resistant depression. Discuss your history and your options with your provider, and schedule a consultation with our Frisco team to have an honest conversation about whether IV ketamine belongs in your care plan.
About Dr. Stephen Gasper
Dr. Stephen Gasper is the owner and medical director of KDI Health Ketamine Clinic, which he founded in early 2021 in Frisco, TX. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Marines, serving four years as a forward observer in the infantry. He then moved to Texas and obtained his BS in Biology from the University of Dallas. Dr. Gasper received his Medical Degree from UTHealth Houston in 2011 and practiced medicine in the DFW area for over 10 years as a board-certified Emergency Physician. He was inspired to found KDI Health during the COVID pandemic because of the effectiveness of ketamine as a therapy for veterans and the broader community struggling with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Dr. Gasper personally oversees every session administered at the clinic and sees one patient at a time, providing direct physician oversight throughout each treatment.
References
JAMA Psychiatry — Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry
American Journal of Psychiatry — Ketamine Evidence Review: https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/
National Institute of Mental Health — Treatment-Resistant Depression: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners (ASKP3): https://www.askp3.org/
Mayo Clinic — Ketamine for Depression Overview: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/treatment-resistant-depression
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this page is provided by KDI Health for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. IV ketamine for psychiatric conditions is an off-label use of an FDA-approved anesthetic. Individual results vary. This information does not replace consultation with a qualified medical provider. Always discuss your health history and treatment options with a licensed healthcare professional before making any medical decisions. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.
