Innovative Nasal Spray Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression
At Monarch Mental Health Group, we’re committed to offering cutting-edge mental health treatments for individuals who have not found relief through conventional therapies. Our newest offering is an advanced nasal spray therapy that is transforming how we treat treatment-resistant depression, providing hope for those who’ve struggled for years with little or no progress using standard medications.
This therapy represents a major shift in psychiatric care. Unlike traditional antidepressants that primarily target serotonin or norepinephrine and often take several weeks to show effectiveness, this treatment works through an entirely different mechanism, producing rapid and measurable improvement in many patients — often within hours or days.
A New Treatment For Depression
For decades, patients with a depressive disorder who failed to respond to first- and second-line treatments had few other options beyond medication combinations, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or long-term psychotherapy. This nasal spray therapy offers a groundbreaking alternative — one backed by modern neuroscience and clinical research.
It acts on the brain’s glutamatergic system — particularly the NMDA receptor — which plays a central role in synaptic plasticity, emotional regulation, and the formation of new neural connections. By stimulating these pathways, the therapy helps to "reset" or "reboot" neural circuits involved in mood regulation.
Studies have shown that this type of treatment can lead to significant reductions in depressive symptoms in individuals who have not benefited from other treatments. In some cases, it can also help reduce suicidal ideation — making it a potentially life-saving intervention.
What Is Nasal Spray Therapy?
This treatment involves a fast-acting nasal spray administered under clinical supervision in a calm, controlled environment. It is not dispensed for at-home use and must be delivered within a structured medical setting due to its rapid onset and dissociative properties.
Each treatment session includes:
- Comprehensive pre-treatment psychiatric and medical assessment to ensure safety and suitability
- Supervised in-clinic administration of the nasal spray
- Observation and monitoring by trained psychiatric nurses and clinicians for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours
- Post-treatment debrief and ongoing review, including psychological support if needed
Patients typically recline in a quiet room during the session. Many describe feeling a sense of detachment, altered perception, or introspective clarity during the treatment — sensations that usually subside by the end of the session.
The therapy is usually offered as a course of treatments, gradually tapering down to maintenance doses depending on the individual response and clinical judgment.
Who Is This Therapy Designed For?
This nasal spray treatment is specifically intended for adults diagnosed with a depressive disorder who have not responded to at least two different antidepressant medications at adequate doses and duration.
This therapy may be appropriate if you:
- Experience ongoing depressive symptoms despite trying multiple medications
- Have found traditional antidepressants to be ineffective or poorly tolerated
- Are looking for alternatives to more invasive treatments
- Are under the care of a psychiatrist and seeking further options
It is not suitable as a first-line therapy for depression and is not prescribed for use outside of supervised environments. A thorough screening and consultation process ensures that only those who are likely to benefit — and for whom the treatment is safe — are eligible.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with one of our psychiatrists, who will assess your history, current symptoms, treatment experiences, and overall health to determine suitability.
If you're a candidate for nasal spray therapy, we’ll design a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs. You’ll attend scheduled sessions at our clinic, where each visit includes:
- Preparation – A calm and comfortable setting is prepared to help reduce anxiety. You may be asked to avoid eating beforehand and arrange for someone to accompany you home.
- Administration – The nasal spray is self-administered under supervision.
- Monitoring – You'll be closely observed throughout the session. Most patients remain awake but experience temporary altered states of awareness.
- Recovery – You’ll rest post-treatment until you’re ready to safely leave the clinic. Most patients return to baseline within a couple of hours.
Many patients notice positive mood shifts, reduced emotional numbness, and improved outlook within the first few sessions. However, like any treatment, individual responses vary.
Safety, Side Effects & Monitoring
This therapy is considered safe when administered in a clinical setting by trained professionals. However, it is a powerful intervention and can produce short-term side effects such as:
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Nausea
- Temporary increase in blood pressure
- Dissociation or perceptual changes
These effects are closely monitored, and most resolve within a short period. You will not be permitted to drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day following treatment.
Our team provides thorough pre-treatment education and is always available to discuss any concerns or questions before and during your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike standard antidepressants that target serotonin or norepinephrine pathways and may take weeks to take effect, this nasal spray therapy works through a different mechanism involving the brain’s glutamatergic system. This allows for faster symptom relief in many patients, often within hours to days.
This therapy is intended for adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder who have not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressant medications. A full psychiatric assessment is required to determine eligibility and rule out any medical conditions or medications that may make the treatment unsuitable.
Yes — when administered in a clinical setting under medical supervision, this treatment is considered safe. Side effects are typically mild and short-lived, and patients are monitored closely throughout each session. Our team follows strict safety protocols to ensure your wellbeing before, during, and after treatment.
- Self-administration of the nasal spray under supervision
- Monitoring by trained staff for 1.5 to 2 hours
- Recovery time in a quiet, comfortable space
- Follow-up support and review
Why Choose Monarch Mental Health Group?
At Monarch, we understand that depression can affect every aspect of your life — and that finding the right treatment isn’t always straightforward. We are a specialist team of psychiatrists and mental health nurses, trained in advanced treatment modalities.
We focus on long-term wellbeing, not just symptom relief, offering genuine, compassionate care at every step of the journey. We use evidence-based protocols backed by clinical research in private, calm, and modern treatment rooms to ensure your comfort.
Ready to Explore a New Path Forward?
If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck, you’re not alone — and there is hope. Our next step treatment option could be the option for you.
This innovative new nasal spray therapy offers a new avenue for healing, backed by science and delivered with care.
Book a confidential consultation with one of our psychiatrists to find out if this treatment is right for you. Let’s work together to rediscover clarity, energy, and emotional balance.
Transcranial: Passing through the skull
Direct Current Stimulation: Directing an electrical current to stimulate specific parts of the brain
Neuromodulation: Altering nerve activity in the brain by delivering treatment to a specific area.
