First of all, I would like to start by clarifying that I do not offer ketamine-assisted therapy myself. This is a form of therapy that is offered in Norway today, both through the public sector (only in Østfold) and through several private clinics in Norway. Norway is actually one of the countries in the world that is on its way to being the furthest ahead in ketamine treatment, and the development is promising.
What is ketamine and ketamine-assisted therapy?
Ketamine is a drug that was originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1970s, but has gained increasing attention in recent years for its therapeutic effects on depression, PTSD, and other mental disorders. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to take effect, ketamine works quickly and can provide relief after just one treatment. The mechanism behind this is not fully understood (as with most things in this world), but ketamine affects NMDA receptors in the brain and appears to promote synaptic plasticity, which may contribute to increased flexibility in thought and emotional patterns. In addition, because ketamine has a quite different mechanism than classic psychedelics and MDMA, the treatment can be done even if you are taking antidepressants
In Norway, ketamine is mainly administered intravenously (IV) in controlled clinical settings. Treatment often takes place in private clinics or hospitals, where the patient receives a low dose of ketamine via infusion over a specific period of time. Ketamine-assisted therapy (CAT) combines this pharmacological effect with psychotherapy, where the patient receives support from a therapist/doctor before, during or after the infusion. Ketamine can induce altered states of consciousness, which can make it easier to process difficult emotions and create new perspectives. Ketamine lasts for about 40-60 minutes and it is often recommended to set up a plan for 4-6 treatments over 3-4 weeks and then monthly over 4-6 months.
Where is ketamine available in Norway?
As of March 2025, Østfold Hospital (Kalnes) is the only public provider of ketamine treatment in Norway for patients with treatment-resistant depression. There are plans to expand this to more hospitals in Norway in 2025/26. Treatment-resistant means patients who have been diagnosed with depression and do not respond well enough to conventional treatment such as psychotherapy and antidepressants. In this case, you need a referral from a GP, which you can ask for. Familiarize yourself with this treatment before asking your doctor, as there are still many doctors who do not know about this possible treatment. You can apply even if you do not live in Østfold, but those who live in Østfold are given priority in terms of the waiting list.
In addition to public services, there are also a number of private clinics in several cities in Norway, including Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen. Dr. Lowan Stewart is an American doctor who moved to Norway after starting New Mexico's (a state in the USA) first ketamine clinic and is a pioneer who has fought to get this into the Norwegian health care system. He has traveled around Norway and given lectures to health professionals and others who are interested for many years. He started the Axon clinic in 2018 as Norway's first ketamine clinic, he has been involved in starting public ketamine treatment at Østfold Hospital and has been the driving force in expanding this service to several public hospitals in Norway.
Ketamin er per i dag (og antageligvis en god stund framover) eneste lovlige behandling i Norge som ligner psykedelika-assistert terapi. Privat behandling er ikke billig, men både forskning og rapporterte resultater viser gode resultater. Jeg har selv snakket med flere av mine klienter som har testet ketamin-assistert terapi og fått veldig mye ut av det. Og så har jeg snakket med noen som ikke har fått så mye ut av det. Sånn er det alltid.