How Does Spravato (esketamine) Work?

Mason Lundell • March 19, 2024
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TMS THERAPY SUPPORTS MENTAL WELLNESS

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By Mason Lundell December 30, 2025
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has become a popular treatment option at many medical facilities. One common question patients have is whether they can actually sleep during their sessions. This post covers safety considerations, benefits, chamber design factors, and monitoring practices you should know about. A reliable wellness center will have trained staff and proper protocols in place to keep you safe throughout the process. Keep reading to learn what to expect if you decide to rest during your hyperbaric treatment. Safety Considerations Safety is most important when sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber during treatment. These chambers expose you to increased pressure, which can create risks if not handled correctly. Always follow the guidelines provided by healthcare professionals. Make sure the chamber is properly maintained and working well before use. Remove all potential fire hazards, such as electronic devices and flammable materials, from the chamber. Proper training on operating the chamber and understanding emergency protocols is also key to a safe experience. Sticking to these safety measures helps reduce risks and lets you get the most out of your hyperbaric treatment. Benefits of Sleeping Sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber can actually improve the therapeutic results of your treatment. During sleep, your body goes through repair and regeneration processes that are supported by the higher oxygen levels in the hyperbaric environment. This increased oxygenation can speed up healing, reduce inflammation, and support overall recovery. Sleeping in the chamber may also improve brain function, increase energy levels, and help with tissue repair. Combining the healing effects of sleep with the chamber's oxygen-rich atmosphere can accelerate healing and improve outcomes. Just make sure the chamber is comfortable enough to actually rest. Chamber Design and Comfort The design and comfort of a hyperbaric chamber directly affect sleep quality and treatment results. The chamber's layout and features play a big role in helping patients rest during their sessions. Noise Levels: A quiet space helps you relax and sleep better. Temperature Control: Maintaining a comfortable chamber temperature prevents discomfort during treatment. Seating Arrangements: Comfortable seating options make a real difference in how well you can relax and fall asleep. Tips for Sleeping Soundly Following some practical tips can help you sleep better in a hyperbaric chamber and improve your treatment experience. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule to help regulate your body's internal clock. Create a calming pre-sleep routine, such as reading or listening to relaxing music, to signal it's time to wind down. Make sure the chamber environment is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, as they can disrupt your sleep. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can also help calm your mind before resting in the chamber. Monitoring During Sleep Continuous monitoring happens throughout the sleep period in the hyperbaric chamber to keep you safe and track treatment effects. Monitoring protocols include: Vital Signs Monitoring: Staff monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation to ensure they remain within safe ranges. Oxygen Levels: Continuous checks of oxygen levels inside the chamber confirm that the concentration remains optimal for treatment. Communication Systems: Advanced communication systems let patients easily alert staff if they need help or feel uncomfortable during treatment. Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thorough monitoring and advanced communication systems keep sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber safe and effective. Trained professionals provide continuous supervision, quickly addressing potential issues to reduce risks and maximize the benefits of hyperbaric therapy. Close monitoring of vital signs, oxygen levels, and chamber conditions creates a secure environment for patients to rest and heal during treatment. High care standards and modern technology ensure a comfortable, efficient experience for anyone seeking hyperbaric treatment. Sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber is not only possible but also a well-monitored and beneficial part of the overall treatment process. Related Topics: What Does a Hyperbaric Chamber Do Experts Recommend Using a Hyperbaric Chamber
By Mason Lundell December 30, 2025
Explore how hyperbaric chambers are used in today’s healthcare to support treatment and recovery.
By Mason Lundell December 30, 2025
Find out what you can and cannot wear inside a hyperbaric chamber to ensure safe oxygen therapy.
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How Do Ketamine and Spravato (esketamine) Work?

A woman is standing in front of a tree with her eyes closed.

Ketamine and esketamine work for depression through a different mechanism

than other antidepressant drugs. Conventional antidepressants increase levels of

naturally occurring chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

These chemicals are messengers that relay communication between brain cells.

The theory is that greater quantities of these neurotransmitters allow better

communication between brain cells, positively affecting mood. Ketamine and

Esketamine block NMDA receptors in the brain, thereby increasing levels of

glutamate, the most abundant chemical messenger in the brain. Blocking NMDA

receptors also activates AMPA receptors to release other molecules that help

brain cells communicate with each other along new pathways. Known as

synaptogenesis, this process likely affects mood, thought patterns, and cognition.



What Is the Difference Between Ketamine and Spravato (esketamine)?


What Is Ketamine?


You may be familiar with ketamine as an anesthetic that was commonly used on

battlefields or as a veterinary drug. A much lower dose of ketamine is given for

depression compared with the dose necessary for anesthesia. This type of

Ketamine is racemic ketamine, a mixture of “R” and “S” ketamine. It was previously

approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used as an anesthetic but

has not been approved as a treatment for depression. In addition, the American

Psychiatric Association found that there is not enough information about the use

of ketamine to treat MDD and TRD. There is not sufficient information because

ketamine is old, and pharmaceutical companies have chosen not to dedicate

millions of dollars to clinical trials for ketamine to be used as a depression

treatment.


Ketamine is usually administered intravenously because it metabolizes too fast

when given orally, and the effects are reduced. While the intravenous method is

often effective and provides rapid results, patients have to receive treatment as

much as three times a week and repeatedly have IV lines inserted, which is costly

and can be inconvenient to patients.


What Is Spravato (esketamine)?


Spravato is the brand name for Esketamine. It is a different version of ketamine

that can be administered intranasally and also produces rapid, effective results.

Esketamine is the S form of Ketamine. It is a new development, making

pharmaceutical companies more likely to endorse clinical trials supporting the

use of it. In 2019, the FDA approved the use of esketamine (Spravato) in adults for

the treatment of TRD and MDSI when used in conjunction with an oral

antidepressant.


The safety and efficacy of esketamine (Spravato) are supported by at least three

short-term and two long-term studies. A 2020 study by Papakostas studied the use

of esketamine in 774 people involved in 5 trials. It showed that patients with MDD

or MDSI who received the intranasal esketamine treatments had a better

outcome than those who received a placebo.


Conventional antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts at the beginning of

treatment, especially in children and young adults. Esketamine (Spravato) is the

only drug besides lithium, a drug commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder, that

is proven to decrease suicidal thoughts.


There are currently no ongoing trials comparing the use of ketamine and

esketamine against each other.



How the Difference Between Ketamine and Spravato (esketamine) Administration Affects You


Esketamine (Spravato) is more potent than ketamine, which allows doctors to give

lower doses and potentially see fewer side effects. Both ketamine and esketamine

must be administered by an RN, PNP, or doctor. These drugs are DEA Schedule III

controlled substances and can become highly addictive.


Ketamine must be administered intravenously up to 3 times a week. This can be

inconvenient and painful as patients have to continue to return to the clinic and

receive a new IV injection each time.


Spravato (esketamine) is administered in an outpatient setting under our RN, PNP,

or doctor supervision. You receive three doses of the medication spaced about 5

minutes apart, and then you remain under supervision for 2 to 3 hours until any

potential side effects have passed.


The side effects for both Spravato (esketamine) and Ketamine can include

  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Dissociation (sometimes called out-of-body experiences)
  • Headache


The side effects tend to peak at 40 minutes and wear off within two hours of

treatment. You can expect the most intense side effects during the first two

treatment sessions.



Will Insurance Cover Ketamine or Spravato (esketamine) Treatments?


Insurance companies do not cover ketamine treatments because it’s experimental

and not FDA-approved. Therefore, you have to pay out of pocket for it.

Spravato (esketamine) is almost always covered by insurance, including Medicare,

because it is FDA-approved and well-studied to be effective and safe. To be

considered eligible for insurance coverage for Spravato (esketamine), a person

has to have tried at least two other antidepressants without benefit.


Explore Your Treatment Options With Unchained

Wellness Clinic


Ketamine and Spravato (esketamine) are both viable treatments for depression.

When effective, people usually respond within one to three sessions. If a person

has no response after three sessions, further sessions are unlikely to help.

Instead, it’s probably best to try other treatments for depression.


One additional treatment option is TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation).

TMS is an FDA-approved, noninvasive, highly effective treatment option for people

with MDD. Numerous studies have been performed on the effectiveness and

safety of TMS, and the outcomes have been favorable. At Unchained Wellness

Clinic, we have highly trained professionals who work with the latest technology

and well-researched treatment options to help you feel better by individualizing

the best treatment strategies.


Talk with us today!


Experience transformative relief and reclaim your mental health with our

Ketamine and Spravato treatments at Unchained Wellness Clinic – book your

consult today and discover the path to renewed well-being!

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