Ketamine, originally synthesized in 1962 and FDA-approved in 1970 as an anesthetic, has recently gained attention for its potential in treating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While it’s been used off-label for these purposes, research into its effectiveness continues to grow. According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 21 million adults in the U.S. experience at least one major depressive episode each year, 40 million suffer from anxiety disorders, and 12 million are affected by PTSD. Given the prevalence of these conditions, there is a critical need for safe and effective treatments. Traditionally, mental health disorders are treated with medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, e.g., fluoxetine) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs, e.g., venlafaxine). However, these treatments can take up to 8 weeks to show results, and only about one-third of patients respond to the first medication prescribed. This highlights the need for faster-acting and more effective treatments.