Ketamine Therapy Outcomes

Ketamine therapy swiftly reduces depression and suicidal thoughts

Ketamine therapy has a swift short-term effect on reducing symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts, according to a systematic review led by the University of Exeter that analysed evidence from 83 published research papers.

The strongest evidence emerged around the use of ketamine to treat both major depression and bipolar depression. Symptoms were reduced as swiftly as one to four hours after a single treatment, and lasted up to two weeks. Similarly, single or multiple doses of ketamine resulted in moderate to large reductions in suicidal thoughts, with improvement seen as early as four hours following treatment and lasting on average three days to up to a week.

Lead author Merve Mollaahmetoglu said: “Our findings suggest that ketamine may be useful in providing rapid relief from depression and suicidal thoughts, creating a window of opportunity for further therapeutic interventions to be effective.”

For other psychiatric disorders including anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, there is early evidence to suggest potential benefit. For individuals with substance use disorders, ketamine treatment led to short-term reductions in craving, consumption and withdrawal symptoms.

Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry Open. Read the full article. Article publication date: 22-Dec-2021. Peer-Reviewed Publication: University of Exeter.

Do you want to experience Ketamine Therapy?

Emma Bragdon, PhD, the Executive Director of IMHU, has teamed with Benjamin Asher, MD to offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in the Upper Valley of Vermont. Click HERE to learn more.