Ketamine taught me anything is possible | Ember Health Patient Story: Rob

In October of 2025, longtime Ember Health patient Rob Young volunteered to tell his story as a part of a storytelling project run by documentarian Chandler Kauffman. The objective of the project is to raise awareness about how IV ketamine works to treat depression, and who it may help. We are humbled to serve extraordinary people like Rob and others in our community so that they may experience the relief they deserve, realize their full potential, and make their marks in their communities.

You can read Rob's full transcript below. If you’re seeking relief from depression and curious to explore care at Ember, we invite you to schedule a consultation call with a clinician from our team to understand whether IV ketamine care may be a fit.

ROB: The ink bled through. Didn’t intend that. That’s what I love about my book. I get to like surprise myself in a way.

I was not seeking help. I was suffering in silence. No matter how hard I’m trying to swim up and I’m trying to get where I’m going, there’s that darkness and that sort of mental fog that comes with like I don’t believe there’s tomorrow. What I had found was ketamine treatments. I had heard about it through a podcast I really liked and then I was seeing a couple’s therapist who, somehow we brought up this idea, and she had done it. And she says, “I think you are a wonderful candidate.”

I was very afraid. I had heard nothing but propaganda that these things could, you know, destroy your brain for life or something. And I asked the first doctor that I worked with here and she said, “No, no, you’ll be okay. It doesn’t– it’s not going to do that”.

DR. BEN-GHALY: So, it’s been about 2 weeks since your last visit. How have you been depression-wise?

ROB: I think today’s imagery was the fog is rolling in. Um, but not quite losing the visibility in front of me. I can see my emotional bandwidth going, but I’m also like not fully anhedonic. So, I’m I’m feeling pretty good overall.

DR. BEN-GHALY: I always appreciate that you write detailed comments.

ROB: It was about 19 when I found out I was depressed. At the time, I was coping with my depression with alcohol. Got a DUI. I lost my school. Then I lost my father the day before my 21st birthday, which like crushed me. I was um, you know, assaulted. They had went in to put a plate to fix the bone. And then after that, um, I woke up without sight. My whole world was literally upside down.

My major depression, and as I’ve understood it for others categorized the same, we have anhedonia which means we do not feel our feelings all the time or they are muted or dulled. When I get these emotions turned back on… even some of the less savory ones it’s like, “oh a feeling!” Like I would much rather have that.

NURSE LIZ: How are things?

ROB: Going okay.

NURSE LIZ: Yeah, how’s the wedding planning?

ROB: Oh my gosh I’m so excited

NURSE LIZ: When is it?

ROB: Like 5 weeks.

Ketamine is not a happiness drug. It is not a wonder cure-all for anything or to be blissed out all the time. You’re going to feel all your feelings amplified.

NURSE LIZ: What are you thinking for an intention today?

ROB: I need to care fully for myself so I can effectively help others in my life.

NURSE LIZ: Take a couple deep breaths. Start to ground yourself. I will be here the whole time per usual. And if there is anything at all you need, just let me know. Okay?

ROB: Thank you.

As the months progressed, I was gaining more confidence that this could be for me, that things could actually get better, that I could actually feel better.

NURSE LIZ: Hi, Rob.

ROB: Hey.

NURSE LIZ: Welcome back.

ROB: Thank you. That was so beautiful.

NURSE LIZ: What came up for you?

ROB: I could feel my mother’s love like it was reciprocated. It was It was so beautiful. It just like washed over me.

NURSE LIZ: Sounds really beautiful.

ROB: I felt like I could feel all my mom’s effort and all my mom’s love for me and everything she’s ever tried to do for me and like all this love that I have for others and to like give and like this want to help.

Now I’m getting married to the love of my life. I show up for people with intention. I am member of several communities who all keep reminding me that I bring them a lot of joy. Ketamine has taught me anything is possible in terms of yourself. It’s the one thing where I could say this is the best thing I’ve done for myself.