Better U Review 2025: Cost, Pros & Cons, & My Experience

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.

Why You Can Trust My Review

Firsthand Experiences

Full reviews and breakdowns of services are valuable, but sometimes you just want to hear a clear recommendation from somebody who’s used the service firsthand. Here is a firsthand experience from someone who has used Better U. 

Detailed Review – What is 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 eight ketamine sessions along with two coach integration sessions.

Better U uses higher doses of ketamine to induce a psychedelic effect within 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

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 a 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 1/2 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 then laid down, put on the playlist that Better U curated for the session, and put 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. No visuals occurred during this trip, but I was still able to process the emotions of grief over the recent loss of my dog. Eventually, I fell into a nice calm state and finished 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 Better U 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 eight 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 also offers extra features in their mobile app and on their website. Users can log activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, and more. There is also a built-in note space where users can also track their mood, which is shared with the Better U provider. The app also features educational content on breathing exercises, meditations, and general lifestyle tips.

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 ($125 per session):
  • Ketamine therapy consultation
  • Virtual clinical appointment
  • One-on-one treatment preparation
  • Companion app and member portal
  • Brainbox starter kit
  • Medication delivered
  • Four ketamine treatment sessions
  • One integration coaching session
• Transformation Package – $792 ($99 per session):
  • Everything listed in the Introduction Package
  • Eight ketamine treatment sessions
  • Two integration coaching sessions

Who Does Better U Serve?

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.

Who May Want an Alternative to Better U?

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.

Better U Vs. 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.

Final Verdict

History & News About Better U