Can Ketamine Help with Chronic or Severe Migraines? Here’s What You Need to Know
- Ketamine Center of Central Georgia
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
If you're living with chronic migraines or migraines that just won’t respond to treatment, you know how life-altering they can be. From missed workdays to constant fatigue and pain, it can feel like you’ve tried everything—with little relief.
But there’s growing hope in a treatment you may not have considered: ketamine.
While ketamine is most commonly known as an anesthetic or sometimes misrepresented in media, it’s now being used—under medical supervision—for a range of conditions, including refractory (treatment-resistant) migraine and status migrainosus (a migraine that lasts more than 72 hours).
Let’s explore how ketamine works, how it’s used for migraines, what the research says, and whether it might be the right next step for you.
🔍 What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication that’s been used safely in hospitals for decades, especially for anesthesia and pain management. In recent years, researchers and doctors have discovered that in low doses, ketamine can also help treat chronic pain conditions, depression, and now, migraines.
Importantly, this isn’t the same as recreational or illegal use—medical ketamine is carefully administered by trained professionals in clinics or hospitals, using precise doses tailored to your condition and needs.
🧠 How Does Ketamine Help with Migraines?
Migraines happen when certain parts of the brain become overactive, inflamed, and overly sensitive to pain signals. For some people, especially those with chronic migraine, the nervous system gets stuck in this hypersensitive state.
This is where ketamine comes in. It works by:
Blocking a brain receptor called NMDA, which is involved in pain signaling and hypersensitivity. By blocking it, ketamine “resets” overactive nerve pathways.
Reducing inflammation in the brain by lowering certain chemicals (like cytokines) that are involved in pain and swelling.
Interrupting migraine cycles in people whose brains are stuck in a constant pain loop.
Calming aura symptoms in patients who experience warning signs like visual changes or numbness before a migraine.
Because of these effects, ketamine doesn’t just numb the pain—it may actually help reset the way your brain processes pain over time.
🏥 Who Might Benefit from Ketamine for Migraine?
Ketamine may be a good option if you:
Have chronic migraine (more than 15 headache days per month)
Have status migrainosus (a migraine that lasts over 72 hours and doesn’t respond to usual medications)
Have tried multiple treatments—like triptans, CGRP inhibitors, Botox, or preventives—without success
Experience central sensitization (where even light touch or sound becomes painful during migraines)
If that sounds like your situation, ketamine could offer a way forward when nothing else has worked.
💉 How Is Ketamine Given for Migraine?
There are a few ways ketamine is used for migraines. These include:
1. IV Ketamine (Intravenous)
Delivered through a small needle in the arm
Used in hospitals or specialized clinics
Given over a several hours per session
Often used for status migrainosus or very treatment-resistant cases
2. Intranasal Ketamine (Nasal Spray)
A quick-acting spray form
Can be used in a clinic or, in some cases, prescribed for home use
Helpful for rescue treatment when a migraine is coming on fast
Some patients use it to reduce the intensity or length of frequent attacks
📊 What Does the Research Say?
Ketamine for migraine is still considered an “off-label” use, meaning it’s not officially FDA-approved for this condition—but the medical community is paying close attention because of the very promising results.
Here’s what the studies show:
A 2017 study of 77 patients with chronic, treatment-resistant migraine found that IV ketamine significantly reduced pain levels, even in people who had failed all other options. Most people reported lasting relief after just a few days of treatment. (Source)
A 2023 study of 169 people using intranasal ketamine found that:
49% said it was “very effective”
Over one-third said it improved their quality of life
Most experienced relief in under 90 minutes (Source)
Another study showed that intranasal ketamine reduced migraine aura—those visual, sensory, or speech disturbances that can occur before a headache hits. (Source)
✅ What Are the Benefits?
Fast relief: Many patients feel better within 1–2 hours.
Longer-lasting effects: Relief lasts for days, weeks or even months!
Helps when other treatments fail: Particularly useful for patients who haven’t responded to medications like OTC Tylenol and ibuprofen, triptans, and CGRPs.
Can be part of a comprehensive care plan: Works well alongside other therapies and a wellness routine.
⚠️ What About Side Effects?
At low, medically supervised doses, ketamine is generally safe and well-tolerated. That said, some people may experience:
Mild dissociation or “floating” feeling (temporary)
Drowsiness or dizziness
Nausea (can be treated with medication)
Slight increase in blood pressure or heart rate
These side effects usually wear off soon after treatment and are closely monitored in a clinical setting. Serious side effects are rare, especially when ketamine is used short-term for migraine.
❌ Who Should Avoid Ketamine?
Ketamine may not be the best choice if you have:
A history of uncontrolled high blood pressure
Untreated aneurysms
Active psychosis conditions
Pregnancy
Your doctor will do a full evaluation to confirm you are a medically appropriate cadidate for ketamine treatment.
💵 What About Cost?
Costs can vary depending on the length and number of treatments. Insurance coverage is still limited for ketamine in migraine cases, but some patients may get partial reimbursement after submitting a super-bill for out of network benefits.
Our clinic offers 6 months zero interest financing and payment plans as well as package pricing for multiple sessions and military discounts.
📌 Final Thoughts
If you're dealing with chronic or intractable migraines and feel like you’ve exhausted every option, ketamine could be a promising next step. It works differently than typical pain medications—by actually changing how the brain processes pain—offering both immediate and long-term relief for many patients.
As with any treatment, ketamine isn’t a magic bullet. But in the hands of experienced providers and used appropriately, it may finally offer the breakthrough you’ve been hoping for.
📞 What Should I Do Next?
Schedule a complimentary consultation here to learn more about ketamine and whether it is a good option for you!
📚 Sources
3. Afridi et al. A randomized controlled trial of intranasal ketamine in migraine with aura. PubMed
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