After years of battling depression and anxiety, Better U has been a transformative step in my mental health journey. Offering affordable, at-home ketamine therapy, it makes cutting-edge treatment accessible and convenient. Designed for those interested in exploring the benefits of psychedelic therapy, Better U combines flexibility with the need for self-guided therapeutic work, providing a powerful alternative when traditional treatments haven’t worked.
Important Safety Warning for At-Home Ketamine Use
Ketamine is a controlled substance with potential for abuse and misuse, particularly when self-administered. It should only be used under the supervision of a licensed medical professional and with a valid prescription. At-home ketamine treatments must be administered exactly as directed by your prescribing clinician. Misuse can lead to serious physical and psychological risks.
Better U At a Glance
Cost: $500 (5 sessions) or $792 (9 sessions)
Insurance Accepted: No
Free Consultation: Yes
Payment Plans: Yes, through Affirm
Ages Served: 18+
Pros & Cons:
Pros - Free consultation
- Cheaper than other at-home ketamine treatments
- Pay-as-you-go option through Affirm
- At-home treatment
- Excellent customer support
Cons - Does not accept insurance
- Must have Spotify Premium or Apple Music to access session playlists
Preview Better U:
Better U is an online ketamine treatment program that gives users an at-home treatment option for depression, PTSD, anxiety, sexual trauma, chronic stress, and more. The price for Better U treatment is a one-time fee ranging from $500 for five ketamine sessions to $792 for nine ketamine sessions. Payment plans are available through Affirm, which are advertised as starting at $54 monthly. Better U serves those in 31 US States, ages 18 and up, and earned a 4.5 out of 5 stars in our independent review.
In my time using Better U, I experienced profound changes in my thinking and emotional responses. The sessions I underwent helped me identify areas of life that were out of focus and unbalanced. One critique that I had was that Better U did not offer many coaching integration sessions; ideally, I would have liked a call either before or after each ketamine session. However, I supplemented this with weekly therapy on my own through Talkspace.
Better U services are best for those who have experience with other forms of mental health care, such as therapy or medication management. Likewise, since Better U only offers a few coaching integration sessions, users must be ready to put in extra therapeutic work on their own. If you are seeking talk therapy or are just starting on your wellness journey, BetterHelp and Talkspace are two great options. For more options, read our guide on the best online therapy platforms.
Experience the Proven Power of Psychedelic Therapy
Better U’s psychedelic-assisted therapy paves the way for profound healing and significant breakthroughs in well-being. Complete a free assessment so Better U can better understand your needs and ensure you receive a personalized treatment plan.
Detailed Review of Better U?
Better U is an online mental health company that offers at-home ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. The cost of services ranges from $500 – $792, based on the package selected and how many ketamine sessions you sign up for. I signed up for nine ketamine sessions along with two coach integration sessions.
Better U uses higher doses of ketamine to induce a psychedelic effect in users. This increases neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt and change. It is this, along with integration work tailored to your problem areas, that helps users overcome barriers to depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles.1
Review our scoring criteria for at-home ketamine treatment platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Signing Up
Signing up for Better U services was very quick and simple. I completed the signup process on my smartphone, which took only about 15 minutes, from completing the initial assessment to paying for the package. The questionnaires at intake helped to determine if I was a good fit for ketamine therapy, and started by asking about mental health symptoms and health history. The assessment came back that I was a good candidate, and I was then able to purchase a package and set up an appointment with a psychiatrist for an initial consultation.
Initial Psychiatric Consultation
After signing up and purchasing my package, I was able to meet with a psychiatrist to go over treatment planning. This appointment included the psychiatrist gathering detailed information about my health history, mental health symptoms, and lifestyle habits to assess if I was a good candidate for the program. This was also the call where I could ask questions or raise concerns.
We agreed in the session on the starting dose of ½ troche, a dissolvable lozenge, intending to increase to two troches for later sessions. One thing that impressed me was the ability to pick the flavor of the ketamine tablets, and I opted for a pleasant root beer flavor.
I left the initial session with very few questions, as the psychiatrist I met with was very thorough and detailed. However, the 25-minute call felt very rushed and could have been extended to make the process feel more relaxed.
Group Treatment Preparation Session
My next live session was a 30-minute group call with around ten other Better U participants who were also just starting their ketamine treatment. An integration guide went over dosing procedures, preparation for the sessions, how to use the online portal, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of treatment. At the end of the call, participants could ask any questions, but I walked away feeling more confident about managing my own treatment when the first ketamine session came around.
Session One: Dose Acclimation
It was finally time to start treatment, and I was admittedly a bit nervous. It was my first experience with psychedelics, so I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of experience and sensations, but I was excited to see how the medication could aid me. The first session was just for dose acclimation, starting with half of a troche to test the effects. To prepare for this session, and all others to follow, I stopped all food three hours before and stopped all liquids two hours before.
To prepare even further, I meditated and journaled, setting my intentions for the session. Better U’s app integrates well into treatment, as it offers journal prompts for each session along with relaxation techniques. It is also important for users to take their blood pressure before starting the session and log it in the metrics section of the app.
I settled into the guest bedroom, where I had prepared the space with incense and soft lighting. I started with the ½ troche (which was 150 mg of ketamine) as recommended by my psychiatrist, leaving the tablet under my tongue for 12 minutes and then spitting out any remaining troche and saliva.
I started to feel the effects of the ketamine after about 10 minutes of holding it in my cheek, which very much surprised me. I laid down, put on the Spotify playlist curated by Better U for the session, and slipped on my eye mask. The first few minutes were the most intense, as I felt a wave of emotion take over. The music was instrumental and helped me get into a deep meditative state, with a bell ringing every 20-30 seconds to help ground me.
There weren’t any vivid visuals during this session, but I was still able to process the grief of recently losing my dog. The most powerful moment came when I sensed my younger self with me. I could feel her presence in front of me, and instinctively reached out to embrace her, as if offering comfort to old childhood wounds. I realized I was physically wrapping my arms around myself, a gesture that felt deeply symbolic. Eventually, I settled into a calm, grounded state and ended the session with a renewed sense of peace.
The comedown was a bit harder; I had a fairly intense headache after the experience that only went away with sleep. I also experienced nausea and vomiting later that evening. Overall, though, I was pleased with the dose acclimation session and planned to up the ketamine dosage at the next session.
Future Sessions
At the time of publication, I had not completed any other ketamine sessions with Better U. I will, however, finish the program in its entirety and take advantage of all nine ketamine sessions. Keep an eye out for updates and revisions, as I will be adding content with my most recent sessions and experiences.
Extra Features
Better U has expanded its offerings to include holistic psychiatry, weight loss, “longevity” (anti-aging), sexual health, and talk therapy, meaning it could become a one-stop shop for some. Each service has its own plan information and cost.
Better U also has its own app, which offers mood tracking, structured therapy modules to go along with your ketamine therapy goals, intention-based playlists, guided meditations and breathwork exercises, journaling prompts, and more.
Cost
Better U costs a one-time fee of $500 – $792, depending on the package bought. The service offers two separate packages, which differ in the number of ketamine sessions and guide sessions. Currently, Better U does not accept insurance but does accept HSA/FSA payments along with payment plan options through Affirm. Better U does not issue refunds if you’ve already started treatment, but you can receive a refund if you pay for services and are determined not to be a good fit for the program.
Pricing and information for the two plans at Better U include:
- Introduction Package – $500 ($100 per session):
- Ketamine therapy consultation
- Virtual clinical appointment
- One-on-one treatment preparation
- Companion app and member portal
- Brainbox starter kit
- Medication is delivered directly to the patient
- Five ketamine treatment sessions
- One integration coaching session
- Transformation Package – $792 ($88 per session):
- Everything listed in the Introduction Package
- Nine ketamine treatment sessions
- Two integration coaching sessions
Who Does Better U Serve?
Better U is available in 31 U.S. states for adults 18 and older, however, service availability may vary by state based on provider capacity. The states Better U is available in include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Better U is a great option for those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain who have found no relief in traditional treatments such as medication management and therapy. Better U is not suitable for those with uncontrolled high blood pressure or those pregnant or breastfeeding.
User Reviews of Better U
Reviews for Better U are generally positive, though there are few reviews on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Overall, users found that Better U helped them with their mental health and found the coaching sessions to be very beneficial.
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 74 reviews
Positive reviews from the Apple App Store include users feeling that the onboarding process was easy and that the care staff was extremely helpful and empathic. Many users felt that the treatment itself was very helpful for their mental health symptoms.
Negative reviews from the Apple App Store include complaints about the app, citing that the payment process would freeze, and users were unable to complete the purchase.
Reviews from Google Play Store | 3.8 out of 5 stars | 20 reviews
Positive reviews from the Google Play Store include the feeling that the overall program was life-changing and effective in managing depression.
Negative reviews from the Google Play Store include mostly issues with the app itself, such as not saving progress on forms and taking a lot of phone storage.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 267 reviews
Positive reviews from Trustpilot include users stating that the ketamine therapy was incredibly effective and helpful in managing their mental health symptoms. Many users stated that it was life-changing for them.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot include the feeling that the amount of texts and emails they received when entering their information was excessive.
Reviews from Reddit | r/KetamineTherapy, r/TherapeuticKetamine
Positive reviews from Reddit include users stating that customer service was incredibly helpful and responsive. Other users felt that the service was helpful for their depression and anxiety symptoms.
Negative reviews from Reddit include feeling that the service was expensive, with many users stating that the price was raised after treatment started.
Alternatives & Competitors
Better U is just one of a few at-home ketamine therapy programs on the market. Companies like Mindbloom offer similar experiences, whereas Joyous focuses on microdosing instead of a full psychedelic experience. Since it’s a newer approach to mental health care, at-home ketamine treatments can be expensive, are often not covered by insurance, and are available in only select states.
While Better U serves many adults, there are certain populations that would best be served by other services. Those who need in-person services or have not already tried more traditional mental health services should also seek care elsewhere.
Mindbloom
- Price: $1,176 for 6 sessions
- Insurance Accepted: No
- Platforms: iOS & Android
Better U and Mindbloom are very similar in their approach to ketamine therapy, with both using high doses to produce a psychedelic effect in users. Better U offers packages for four or eight ketamine sessions, whereas Mindbloom offers six sessions.
Key differences between Better U and Mindbloom include:
- Mindbloom costs $1,176 for 6 sessions, whereas Better U costs either $500 for 4 sessions or $792 for 8 sessions.
- Better U has pay-as-you-go financing options as opposed to Mindbloom’s 3-month payment system.
- Better U doesn’t offer as many integration coaching sessions in their base plan as Mindbloom.
- Mindbloom has in-app music and guided meditations, whereas Better U requires users to have a subscription to Spotify Premium.
To learn more, read our full Mindbloom review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Extra resources are available in the app and website
- Sessions are self-guided
- Playlists integrated into the app
Cons - Few journaling prompts are available
- No integrated therapy session - only calls with a coach
Nue Life
- Price: $1,399 for 6 sessions
- Insurance Accepted: No
- Platforms: iOS & Android
Better U and Nue Life both offer a full psychedelic macrodose experience with ketamine. Both services offer pay-as-you-go options, with Nue Life offering six sessions for $1,399. In contrast, Better U offers two different plans: either four sessions for $500 or eight sessions for $792.
Key differences between Better U and Nue Life include:
- Nue Life is more expensive than Better U, though both offer flexible financing. Nue Life costs $1,399 for 6 sessions, whereas Better U costs either $500 for 4 sessions or $792 for 8 sessions.
- Nue Life offers more support in coaching sessions and aftercare with their program Nue Care.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Pay-as-you-go option
- More integration coaching sessions
Cons - Does not accept insurance
- Only in 19 states
Joyous
- Price: $129 per month
- Insurance Accepted: No
Better U and Joyous take two different approaches to ketamine therapy. Better U uses macrodosing for a full psychedelic effect, whereas Joyous uses microdoses taken more frequently, designed to influence the mind more subtly. With Joyous, insurance is not accepted, and while HSA/FSA funds can be used, patients must handle reimbursement processes themselves
Key differences between Better U and Joyous include:
- Better U is more expensive than Joyous, at $500 for four sessions or $792 for eight sessions. Joyous, conversely, costs $129 monthly for every month you are in treatment.
- Joyous uses lower daily doses of ketamine, whereas Better U uses macrodosing less frequently.
- Since Joyous uses a microdosing approach, the effects are not psychedelic like Better U.
- Joyous offers less oversight and therapeutic support than Better U, and offers only text-based coaching whereas Better U offers live video sessions.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Affordable and accessible
- Employs a psycholytic (very low) dose of ketamine
- Daily guidance and support are provided through text messages and an online portal
Cons - Does not accept insurance
- No mobile app
- Only available in select states
Innerwell
- Price: $924 for 8 sessions; $1,848 for 24 sessions
- Insurance Accepted: No
Like many other at-home ketamine therapies on the market, Innerwell also uses a psychedelic macrodose for treatment. Innerwell offers more sessions than Better U, however, offering either eight or 24 sessions, whereas Better U only offers four or eight.
Key differences between Better U and Innerwell include:
- Innerwell is more expensive at $924 for eight sessions or $1,848 for 24 sessions, whereas Better U costs $500 for four sessions or $792 for eight sessions.
- Innerwell also offers therapy, psychiatry, and EMDR from licensed therapists, whereas Better U only offers integration coaching sessions.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Therapy, psychiatry, and EMDR are available
- More sessions available
Cons - Only available in 19 states
- Pricing can be confusing
Why You Can Trust My Review
“As someone with nearly a decade of experience working in mental health, including crisis intervention and client advocacy, I understand how important it is to find treatment that feels both accessible and effective. I’ve helped connect clients to emerging therapeutic options like ketamine, and I’ve seen firsthand how these treatments can provide hope when traditional methods fall short.
My review of Better U is informed not only by my professional knowledge but also by personal experience. I completed the at-home ketamine program myself and found it to be a powerful tool for gaining insight into my depression and anxiety. While the journey required personal effort outside of the sessions, the support offered by Better U was consistent, compassionate, and thoughtfully designed. Readers can trust that my perspective reflects both the clinical value and the lived impact of this kind of care.”
History & News About Better U
Year Founded: 2021
Founders: Derek Du Chesne and Dr. Sam Zand
Headquarters: West Hollywood, CA
Publicly Traded? No
Better U was co-founded by Derek Du Chesne and psychiatrist Dr. Sam Zand with the mission of providing safe, affordable, and clinically guided at-home ketamine treatments.3 Derek Du Chesne was driven to start Better U after struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts and personally experiencing the transformative effects of ketamine therapy. Dr. Zand, who served as Chief Medical Officer, has since moved on from the company.4 Better U’s current Medical Director is Zaid Fadul, MD, FS, FAAFP
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Better U Safe?
While Better U screens for important safety factors, it is important to remember that ketamine is a controlled substance with potential for abuse and misuse, particularly when self-administered. It should only be used under the supervision of a licensed medical professional and with a valid prescription. At-home ketamine treatments must be administered exactly as directed by your prescribing clinician. Misuse can lead to serious physical and psychological risks.
Is Better U Legit?
Yes, Better U is a legitimate treatment provider for at-home ketamine therapy.
What Ages Does Better U Serve?
Better U serves adults ages 18 and older.
Does Better U Offer Psychiatry Medication?
No, Better U does not offer any other psychiatric medication besides ketamine.
What States is Better U in?
Currently, Better U is available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
How Much Does Better U Cost?
Better U costs $500 for four at-home ketamine sessions or $792 for eight at-home ketamine sessions. For a limited time, ChoosingTherapy.com readers can get $200 off Better U’s Transformation Package (8 Sessions) with code “NEWYOU”. Visit Better U
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for Better U?
Yes, you can use your HSA/FSA to pay for Better U services.
Does Better U Issue Refunds?
No, Better U does not offer refunds or guarantees. You will receive a refund if you pay for services and are determined not to be a good fit for the program.
Is Better U HIPAA-Compliant?
Yes, any Personal Health Information (PHI) collected by Better U is HIPAA-compliant and secured.
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Puderbaugh, M., & Emmady, P. D. (2023, May 1). Neuroplasticity. StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811/
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Better U. (2022, November 3). Better U expanding psychedelic-assisted therapies to 9 states with immersive healing centers. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/better-u-expanding-psychedelic-assisted-therapies-to-9-states-with-immersive-healing-centers-301663315.html
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Better U. (n.d.). Better U: Company profile. Crunchbase. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/better-u#people
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Better U. (2022, November 3). Better U expanding psychedelic-assisted therapies to 9 states with immersive healing centers. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/better-u-expanding-psychedelic-assisted-therapies-to-9-states-with-immersive-healing-centers-301663315.html
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We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Chelsey Church, M.S. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked and edited the entire article for improved readability and clarity, and reviewed recent Apple and Google reviews to update user ratings.
Author: Chelsey Church, M.S. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated state offerings to include the following: Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Oklahoma; Updated History and News Section to reflect correct co-founders.
Author: Chelsey Church, M.S.
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, M.D.
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