When depression lingers despite trying more than one medication, it is normal to wonder what else might help. SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray that is used to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression. It is administered in a certified medical setting, where a provider can monitor your response and check for any adverse symptoms. Understanding how SPRAVATO® works can help you make informed decisions about your mental health care. To learn more about esketamine therapy, contact Precise Mind.
SPRAVATO® (esketamine) targets an important brain messenger system called glutamate. Instead of working on serotonin or norepinephrine the way many antidepressants do, esketamine briefly blocks NMDA receptors. That shift can spark a rapid “reset” in glutamate signaling, helping nerve cells talk to each other more efficiently. Over time, those signals can strengthen connections (synapses) in mood-related circuits. Think of it like improving the “wiring” your brain uses for motivation, focus, and emotional balance.
Because SPRAVATO® therapy acts on a different pathway, it may support people who have not responded to standard antidepressants. Many patients describe a sense of mental “flexibility,” which can make it easier to practice healthy routines, benefit from talk therapy, and feel more present with the people and activities they care about. Our role is to translate those brain changes into real-life progress you can notice.
Here are some key reasons people consider SPRAVATO®:
You and your provider will track mood, energy, sleep, and daily functioning so your plan reflects changes you actually feel.
SPRAVATO® nasal spray is taken in person at a certified clinic; it is not dispensed for home use. At Precise Mind, visits are paced and predictable so you can relax and focus on how you feel.
A typical appointment looks like the following:
This structure helps manage short-term effects like sleepiness, lightheadedness, or feeling detached, which usually fade the same day.
Care generally starts with twice-weekly visits for four weeks. Weeks five through eight are usually once-weekly. After that, esketamine dosing becomes maintenance (weekly or every two weeks) based on your response. The goal is to keep you on the least frequent schedule that still supports stability. Your provider will adjust timing and dose using clear metrics, so progress stays measurable and meaningful.
At Precise Mind, with offices in Flowood, Vicksburg, and Ridgeland, we treat a wide range of behavioral health conditions for adolescents and adults. Telemedicine is available for many services across all locations.
SPRAVATO® is an in-office treatment currently offered at our Flowood and Ridgeland locations and coming soon to Vicksburg. It is intended for adults with treatment-resistant depression, and in some cases for adults with major depressive disorder and acute suicidal ideation or behavior (given alongside an oral antidepressant).
Your provider will review your health history, current medications, and goals to confirm eligibility and fit.
If learning how SPRAVATO® works makes you feel ready to explore this option, we are here to help. Schedule an appointment with Precise Mind to talk through timing, safety, and how supervised care can fit your routine.