Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 1 in 8 women who’ve just had a baby, according to the March of Dimes, making it one of the most common complications after childbirth. PPD can lead to persistent sadness, fatigue, anxiety, and difficulties bonding with the baby, affecting not just the mother but also the entire family unit.

Although there are many effective treatment options, researchers continue to look for more ways to help people experiencing PPD. One potential treatment is ketamine.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is different from the “baby blues.” Many new mothers experience mood swings, tearfulness, and mild anxiety during the first two weeks postpartum (the period of time following childbirth). However, these symptoms typically resolve on their own and might be explained by lack of sleep and adjustment to new family routines.

PPD is more severe and lasts longer. Without treatment, PPD can make it harder for a parent to practice self-care and care for their baby. In some cases, PPD can lead to long-term developmental issues for the child. Transgender and nonbinary birthing parents, fathers, and nonbirthing parents of any gender, including adoptive parents, also can experience PPD.

Challenges With Traditional Postpartum Depression Treatments

Interest in ketamine and other new therapies for postpartum depression stems from the need for more effective options when standard treatments aren’t enough. Common PPD treatments include:

• Psychotherapy — Approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy may help parents manage stress, regulate emotions, and develop healthy coping strategies.
• Antidepressant medications — Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to treat PPD.
• Zuranolone (Zurzuvae) — This oral PPD treatment, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023, is taken for 14 days after birth. In clinical trials (studies that test a drug’s safety and effectiveness), participants showed improvement at day 15, suggesting it works faster than traditional antidepressants.

Although therapy and antidepressants like SSRIs help many people, they can take weeks to begin working. This wait can be especially hard for people with severe symptoms, distressing thoughts, or suicidal feelings. Plus, about 10 percent to 30 percent of people with depression don’t improve with standard antidepressants.

Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online.

Even with newer options like zuranolone, researchers are still exploring other options, such as ketamine.

Ketamine’s Role in Mental Health

Ketamine recently gained attention as a breakthrough in mental health treatment. Researchers are studying its potential for mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and now they’re exploring whether it could help prevent or treat postpartum depression.

A Brief History of Ketamine

Ketamine was first introduced in the 1960s as a safer alternative to phencyclidine (PCP), which was once used as an anesthetic (painkiller). PCP causes serious side effects, including hallucinations and agitation, and is now illegal in the United States due to its high risk of addiction and harm.

In the early 2000s, the National Institute of Mental Health began researching ketamine’s antidepressant properties. Study findings showed that low doses could help relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression within hours.

In 2019, the FDA approved esketamine (Spravato), a nasal spray based on ketamine, for people with depression that doesn’t improve with standard treatments.

Ketamine’s Effects on the Brain

Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants like SSRIs. Most antidepressants target the brain chemical serotonin, but ketamine affects a brain chemical called glutamate.

Ketamine works by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are involved in brain functions such as memory, learning, and mood. Blocking NMDA receptors increases glutamate levels, helping brain cells form new connections more easily. Scientists believe this may help reverse brain changes, but research is still ongoing.

Ways Ketamine Data Supports Postpartum Depression Treatment

Ketamine’s success in helping people with treatment-resistant depression suggests it could also help with postpartum depression. Both conditions involve disruptions in brain-signaling pathways, particularly those linked to glutamate, a chemical that helps regulate mood.

Rapid Onset of Relief

Clinical trials show that ketamine’s effects can ease depressive symptoms within hours. This is especially important for parents with PPD, as long-lasting depression can make bonding and caregiving harder. Researchers are also studying ways to extend its effects, because multiple doses may be needed for longer-lasting relief.

Possible Benefits to the Brain

One of the researchers’ theories is that ketamine may help repair brain changes linked to PPD, including imbalances in glutamate. Although altering glutamate and NMDA receptor activity may be one way ketamine might help, scientists are exploring other potential ways it might treat or prevent PPD.

Use in High-Risk Populations

For people with a history of depression or trauma, ketamine is being studied as a way to lower the risk of PPD. In a study of mothers who had depression before giving birth and underwent cesarean sections, a single low dose of ketamine significantly reduced PPD symptoms within six weeks postpartum.

Future Uses of Ketamine in PPD

PPD has the potential to have a significant impact on a parent’s mental health care. Ketamine’s fast-acting nature could provide faster relief, allowing parents to better care for their babies and families.

More research is needed to understand how ketamine, especially when used with psychotherapy, could help people with PPD. It’s possible that this combination could better support long-term recovery by addressing both brain changes and the emotional challenges of PPD.

If you have questions about ketamine as a treatment for PPD, it’s important to speak with a psychiatrist.

Breastfeeding and Medication Concerns

Many people with PPD want to continue breastfeeding. Early research suggests that low doses of ketamine pass into breast milk at minimal levels. If you’re considering ketamine or any mental health medication while breastfeeding, it’s important to speak with a psychiatrist about the potential risks and benefits.

Find Your Team

MyDepressionTeam is the social network for people living with all types of depression, including postpartum depression, and their loved ones. Members come together to ask questions, offer support and advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with PPD.

Did you know about the risk factors for postpartum depression before your baby was born? Do you have any advice for others managing these risks? Share your experience, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.