ketamine

  • The largest study to date confirms that ketamine — a “club drug” that is also legally used as an anesthetic — could be a quick and effective way to relieve depression. The results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association and represent growing excitement about ketamine’s potential. The study included 72 patients who had previously failed to respond to at least two other medications. Ketamine— and similar drugs currently being tested by pharmaceutical companies could help relieve suffering faster and potentially reduce the suicide risk associated with the mood disorder.

  • ketamineA new study sheds light on why the anesthetic and “club drug” ketamine can relieve depression rapidly — in hours, instead of weeks or months. The findings may help provide new targets for developing antidepressants and increase researchers’ understanding of the devastating disorder. The study, published in the journal Nature, offer support for wider use of ketamine in depression. A drug that could relieve depression quickly has long been sought by pharmaceutical companies and patients.

  • An increasing number of Israeli psychiatrists have started using ketamine as part of the medical treatment for depression and chronic pain. This follows a series of studies worldwide that found it to be effective and very fast at treating manic depression and suicidal tendencies without significant side effects. At present, there are several studies being conducted here to examine the use of ketamine to fight depression. (See also: Fact Sheet on the Proposal to Discuss International Scheduling of Ketamine at the 58th CND)