Jan 15, 2026

From Experience to Evidence: How Data-Driven Ketamine Treatment Is Combatting Depression

Sandy Newes
Category: Podcasts
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Nicolas Grundmann

Nicolas Grundmann is the Co-founder and CEO of Ember Health, which provides IV ketamine treatments for depression. As a board-certified emergency medicine physician, he launched Ember Health to create more effective, patient-centered treatment options. Nicolas is also a faculty member at the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists and Practitioners, and is the Co-founder of Chenla Children’s Healthcare, which improves pediatric care in Cambodia. 

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [2:33] Nicolas Grundmann critiques a widely cited ketamine study and explains why its conclusions were flawed
  • [3:30] How Nicolas’ background in emergency medicine and global health led him to ketamine and psychedelic medicine
  • [7:46] The three core pillars of Ember Health’s patient care model
  • [10:05] Why Ember prioritizes IV ketamine treatments while supporting the altered-state experience
  • [14:09] How mandatory care coordination with outside therapists and psychiatrists improves patient outcomes
  • [21:00] Using symptom-driven data to determine booster timing and long-term treatment plans
  • [26:51] Evidence supporting and refuting ketamine treatments for PTSD, anxiety, and depression
  • [34:02] The post-treatment “learning phase” and adjusting to life without long-term depression
  • [43:12] Safety considerations and the need for rapid medical response during IV ketamine treatments
  • [48:16] Nicolas’ outlook on clinical guidelines, insurance coverage, and the future of ketamine care

In this episode…

Mental health treatment is evolving as clinicians search for options that outperform traditional approaches. From data-driven care to treating trauma, anxiety, and depression together, how can clinicians create evidence-based ketamine treatments?

According to emergency medicine physician Nicolas Grundmann, effective ketamine treatment starts with rigorous evidence, longitudinal data, and close care coordination. He emphasizes symptom-driven dosing, regular measurement using validated tools, and proactive follow-up to catch relapses early. Clinicians should also integrate outside therapists, help patients relearn emotional regulation after depression lifts, and avoid one-size-fits-all models. 

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Nicolas Grundmann, Co-founder and CEO of Ember Health, about evidence-based ketamine treatment for depression. Nicolas talks about using real-world data to guide care, treating depression with comorbid PTSD and anxiety, and whether to include therapy during ketamine sessions.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

  • “It is not hyperbolic to state ketamine is the single most studied medication for depression in the last 30 years.”
  • “We wanted this to be an evidence-based practice that was still individualizing that evidence base to the people in front of us.”
  • “We didn’t want people to be making false choices between different treatment options that were, at the time, the only things available.”
  • “Depression is the state of reduced emotional bandwidth, where you feel less as a protective mechanism.”
  • “Our patients are not treated and released; they stay connected with us for longitudinal care.”

Action Steps:

  1. Commit to measurement-based care: Regularly tracking symptoms with validated tools helps clinicians identify real progress and early signs of a relapse. This ensures treatment decisions are driven by data rather than assumptions or convenience.
  2. Build strong care coordination with external providers: Actively communicate with therapists and psychiatrists to align treatment goals and reduce fragmented care. This collaboration improves outcomes and supports patients beyond the treatment room.
  3. Use symptom-driven treatment timing: Schedule follow-ups and boosters based on symptom recurrence rather than fixed intervals to personalize care. This approach prevents overtreatment while ensuring patients receive support when they actually need it.
  4. Prepare patients for a post-depression “learning phase”: Helping patients understand emotional changes after symptom relief normalizes anxiety, grief, and adjustment. This education supports long-term stability and reduces confusion during recovery.
  5. Prioritize evidence before scaling new practices: Requiring strong clinical data before adding complexity protects patients and preserves accessibility. It ensures innovation improves outcomes without introducing unnecessary cost or risk.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by the Living Medicine Institute.

LMI is a training, resource, and membership program educating providers about the legal and safe use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

To learn more or participate, visit https://livingmedicineinstitute.com.

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