1705 results for "Ketamine"
Dysfunction in Cardiovascular Autonomic Modulation Caused by Chronic Use of Ketamine Hydrochloride Can Be Prevented by Aerobic Exercise Training in Wistar Rats.
Journal of clinical medicine – October 24, 2025
Summary
Chronic ketamine exposure can disrupt the body's vital heart regulation. Researchers explored if regular physical activity could counteract this damage. Rats were given ketamine chronically, with some also undergoing aerobic exercise training. Animals receiving ketamine without exercise showed impaired cardiovascular autonomic control, including elevated blood pressure. Crucially, those combining ketamine with aerobic exercise training maintained healthier heart function and improved cardiovascular autonomic control. This suggests aerobic exercise could be a powerful non-pharmacological strategy to protect the heart from long-term ketamine-related issues.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Ketamine, widely used for its anesthetic and analgesic properties, has been linked to cardiotoxic effects, particularly with...
Ketamine psychotherapy for heroin addiction: immediate effects and two-year follow-up.
Journal of substance abuse treatment – December 01, 2002
Summary
A powerful insight into addiction treatment reveals that psychotherapy paired with a specific high dose of ketamine dramatically boosts long-term recovery. Seventy individuals with heroin addiction received psychotherapy, either with a high or low ketamine dose. Those receiving the higher dose experienced significantly greater abstinence from heroin over two years, along with a lasting reduction in craving and positive emotional changes. This highlights the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy for lasting success.
Abstract
Seventy detoxified heroin-addicted patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups receiving ketamine psychotherapy (KPT) involving two differ...
Repeated administration of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine results in impaired motor and cognitive behavior and differential expression of hippocampal P2X1 and P2X7 receptors in adult mice.
Behavioural brain research – March 28, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's effects on the brain vary dramatically with age, revealing surprising differences in how young and adult mice respond to repeated exposure. Adult mice showed significant impairment in nest-building behavior and memory tasks, while younger mice remained largely unaffected. The hippocampus, crucial for memory, displayed opposite patterns in protein expression between age groups, with adult mice showing increased P2X1 and decreased P2X7 levels - potentially explaining their greater vulnerability to ketamine's effects.
Abstract
Ketamine hydrochloride serves multiple purposes, including its use as a general anesthetic, treatment for depression, and recreational drug. In stu...
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The effect of low dose intra-articular S(+) ketamine on osteoarthritis in rats: an experimental study.
Brazilian journal of anesthesiology (Elsevier) – January 01, 2024
Summary
A promising breakthrough in pain management shows that targeted ketamine treatment can significantly reduce joint pain without systemic effects. Using animal models, researchers found that small doses of S(+)-Ketamine directly injected into joints affected by osteoarthritis improved mobility and reduced pain sensitivity. While the treatment didn't reduce synovial membrane inflammation, it helped restore normal walking patterns and grip strength in treated subjects.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the analgesic impact of S(+)-ketamine on pain behavior and synovial inflammation in an osteoarthritis (OA) model. A...
Features of biliary tract diseases in ketamine abusers: a systematic review of case reports.
Journal of medical case reports – March 03, 2024
Summary
Long-term ketamine abuse can severely impact the body's bile duct system, with most cases occurring in young adults. A review of medical records reveals that ketamine-related biliary tract disease typically presents with severe abdominal pain and nausea. Two-thirds of affected patients were male, averaging 26 years old. While substance abuse patterns varied, most patients showed significant improvement after stopping ketamine use and receiving proper medical care.
Abstract
Anesthesiologists prefer ketamine for certain surgeries due to its effectiveness as a non-competitive inhibitor of the N-methyl-D-aspartate recepto...
Rising incidence of recreational ketamine use: Clinical cases and management in emergency settings.
Toxicology reports – June 01, 2025
Summary
Emergency medicine data reveals a surge in ketamine-related incidents, particularly among young clubgoers. When mixed with alcohol or other drugs, this party drug can cause dangerous intoxication symptoms including hallucinations and heart problems. Regular use risks serious bladder damage. While current toxicological screening often misses ketamine, adding it to standard tests would help doctors better treat affected patients.
Abstract
The recreational use of ketamine has risen significantly in the Netherlands, particularly among young adults in nightlife settings. This trend has ...
Increased recreational ketamine use and subsequent outbreak of urological complications in The Netherlands.
Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) – June 17, 2025
Summary
The number of patients with severe urological disease linked to recreational ketamine use in the Netherlands jumped from zero to 137 in just six years, according to data from poison centers and clinics. This alarming rise in complications from the arylcyclohexylamine class of designer drugs, including ketamine, stems from extensive use, often by young males. It underscores a critical public health issue, highlighting the urgent need for awareness regarding these recreational drugs to mitigate such severe outcomes.
Abstract
Recreational ketamine use has increased in the last decades with incidental reports of urological complications. This study aimed to explore trends...
A single psychotomimetic dose of ketamine decreases thalamocortical spindles and delta oscillations in the sedated rat
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 04, 2020
Summary
Ketamine, a drug known for its psychedelic effects, dramatically alters brain wave patterns by disrupting communication between the thalamus and cortex. Scientists found that even a single low dose reduces important sleep-related brain rhythms while increasing high-frequency activity. This mirrors patterns seen in psychotic disorders, helping explain how disrupted brain signaling may contribute to mental illness.
Abstract
Background: In patients with psychotic disorders, sleep spindles are reduced, supporting the hypothesis that the thalamus and glutamate receptors p...
Opioids Diminish the Placebo Antidepressant Response: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Ketamine Trial.
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences – November 02, 2024
Summary
Regular opioid use may block the power of placebo effects in treating depression, according to fascinating new findings. While non-opioid users showed significant improvement from placebo treatments, those taking opioids experienced less benefit. However, ketamine's antidepressant effects remained strong regardless of opioid use, suggesting it works through different pathways than traditional antidepressants and placebos.
Abstract
The endogenous opioid system is thought to play a role in the placebo antidepressant response. A recent trial comparing the rapid antidepressant ef...
Divergent Effects of Ketamine and the Serotoninergic Psychedelic 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Iodoamphetamine on Hippocampal Plasticity and Metaplasticity.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – September 01, 2024
Summary
While ketamine and psychedelics both help treat mental health conditions, their effects on brain plasticity differ significantly. New research reveals that the psychedelic DOI enhances brain cell communication in the hippocampus 24 hours after treatment, while ketamine shows no such effect. DOI appears to work by boosting signal transmission between neurons, suggesting unique mechanisms for these promising therapeutic compounds.
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics and ketamine produce rapid and long-lasting symptomatic relief in multiple psychiatric disorders. Evidence suggests that ...
Neuron-Derived Extracellular Vesicles miRNA Profiles Identify Children Who Experience Adverse Events after Ketamine Administration for Procedural Sedation.
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have discovered specific molecular markers that can predict which children may experience side effects from ketamine sedation. By analyzing tiny genetic molecules in blood samples from 50 children, researchers identified three key markers that accurately predict adverse reactions like vomiting and agitation. These findings could help doctors better prepare for and potentially prevent uncomfortable side effects, making medical procedures safer and more comfortable for young patients.
Abstract
Ketamine provides the highest safety profile among sedatives for procedural sedation and analgesia in the pediatric emergency setting. However, it ...
Butorphanol or a Combination of Ketamine and Xylazine Do Not Interfere With Arrhythmogenic Parameters in Agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) Obtained Through High-Resolution Electrocardiogram.
Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology – July 01, 2025
Summary
Wild animals like agoutis are helping advance cardiac medicine! New findings show these medium-sized rodents maintain stable heart rhythms under common veterinary sedatives. Researchers monitored detailed cardiac physiology in eight agoutis using high-resolution heart monitoring, comparing their responses when awake versus sedated. The results confirm these sedatives are safe, causing only minimal changes to heart patterns and blood pressure.
Abstract
Agoutis is a medium-sized wild rodent with potential for use as an experimental model. This study aimed to evaluate physiological parameters of arr...
Improvement in depressive symptoms in a patient with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa and comorbid major depressive disorder using psychotherapy-assisted IV ketamine : a case report.
Journal of eating disorders – June 12, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment combining ketamine and psychotherapy showed remarkable success in helping a patient with severe anorexia nervosa and treatment-resistant depression. The 33-year-old woman, who hadn't responded to conventional treatments, received seven sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. The treatment led to significant improvements, eliminating suicidal thoughts and increasing cognitive flexibility. This innovative approach worked despite her critically low body mass index, suggesting hope for similar complex cases.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening psychiatric illness with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. This illness is frequently com...
Ketamine Cystitis in a Female Patient Ketamine Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression – Case Report
CrossRef
Summary
A significant safety concern has emerged for therapeutic ketamine, a promising antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression. While ulcerative cystitis, causing painful urinary symptoms and kidney damage, affects over 25% of recreational users, it was previously unreported in medical settings. The first documented case now links therapeutic ketamine use to this severe condition. A 28-year-old woman developed confirmed cystitis symptoms after starting ketamine for depression. This highlights a crucial safety consideration, emphasizing that early detection and stopping treatment are vital to prevent further harm.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine has been shown to be a novel and exciting antidepressant medication in patients with treatment-resistant depression. A complicati...
Ketamine cystitis following ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression – case report
BMC Psychiatry – January 02, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, used therapeutically for depression, can cause ulcerative cystitis (KIC), a condition previously linked only to recreational use. A 28-year-old woman developed KIC symptoms after starting ketamine treatment, confirmed by urine analysis. This marks the first documented instance of KIC in a patient receiving therapeutic-dose ketamine, a complication seen in over 25% of recreational users. This discovery highlights a crucial consideration for patients and clinicians using this emerging antidepressant.
Abstract
Abstract Background Ketamine is a novel and exciting putative antidepressant medication for patients with treatment-resistant depression. A complic...
Analgesic and Hemodynamic Effects of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine vs Fentanyl-Ketamine in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Trial.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Pain management breakthrough: Combining ketamine with either dexmedetomidine or fentanyl provides effective pain relief. Both combinations increased pain tolerance by 30-50%, but showed different side effects. While dexmedetomidine caused more pronounced sedation and blood pressure drops, fentanyl led to mild nausea. Neither caused dangerous breathing problems, offering promising options for customized pain control.
Abstract
Dexmedetomidine is an α2-agonist sedative with opioid-sparing properties, is limited by dose-dependent hypotension and bradycardia. Ketamine, an NM...
Personalized use of ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression.
Translational psychiatry – November 29, 2024
Summary
Depression treatment breakthroughs now include ketamine and its variant esketamine, offering hope for patients who don't respond to standard treatments. These medications work rapidly, with some patients showing improvement within hours. Family history of alcohol use and childhood trauma may predict better responses. Brain activity changes, particularly in frontoparietal regions, can indicate treatment success.
Abstract
A large and disproportionate portion of the burden associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) is due to treatment-resistant depression (TRD). ...
Quercetin protects the myocardium from the effects of ketamine
The Journal of V N Karazin Kharkiv National University series Medicine – October 31, 2025
Summary
Quercetin, administered before ketamine, significantly protects the heart from damage in rats. In a study involving 24 male rats, quercetin reduced harmful substances like peroxynitrite by 44% and superoxide production by 53%. It also decreased nitric oxide synthase activity by 48% and increased antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activity by 13%. These findings suggest that quercetin enhances the heart's defense against oxidative stress during ketamine treatment, potentially preventing cardiotoxic effects associated with this common anesthetic used in both human and veterinary medicine.
Abstract
Background. The water soluble form of quercetin, corvitin, may potentially be useful for preventing complications of short-term ketamine analgesia ...
Abdominal Pain and Dysuria Secondary to Chronic Recreational Ketamine Use: A Case Report on K-cramps.
Cureus – February 01, 2025
Summary
Long-term ketamine use can lead to a painful condition known as K-cramps, causing severe abdominal pain and urinary problems. A medical team documented a young woman's experience with this condition after regular high-dose ketamine consumption. Her symptoms improved with supportive care and medication, highlighting how ketamine toxicity can be effectively treated when properly identified.
Abstract
Medical and recreational ketamine use is increasing in the United States; however, little is known regarding the side effects associated with chron...
Ketamine Induced Acute Systolic Heart Failure.
European journal of case reports in internal medicine – January 01, 2024
Summary
Long-term ketamine misuse can trigger severe heart complications, as revealed in a striking case of a 28-year-old woman. After 14 years of regular ketamine use, she developed systolic heart failure with severe symptoms. Following proper medical treatment and cessation of ketamine use, her heart function improved dramatically - from 15% to 54% efficiency within four months. This highlights how ketamine-induced heart problems can be reversed with timely intervention.
Abstract
Studies have shown major cardiovascular effects associated with ketamine use disorder including dose-dependent negative inotropic effects. Preopera...
Ketamine/Midazolam versus Fentanyl/Midazolam Sedation for Interventional Radiology Procedures: A Prospective Registry.
Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR – June 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough in pain management: A new sedation combination using ketamine with midazolam proves more effective than traditional fentanyl-based approaches for medical procedures. The alternative method showed significantly lower pain levels during and after interventions, without increasing procedure time or side effects. Healthcare staff strongly endorsed the new approach, with 82% saying they'd choose it for themselves.
Abstract
To assess whether sedation with ketamine/midazolam was more effective than fentanyl/midazolam at reducing periprocedural pain scores for interventi...
To use or not to use: an update on licit and illicit ketamine use
Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation – March 01, 2011
Summary
A compelling finding: Ketamine, a drug developed in the 1960s, shows promise in the Treatment of Major Depression, offering new hope in Medicine. Its pharmacology, however, also presents significant risks. As a street drug, ketamine abuse leads to severe urinary tract dysfunction, sometimes irreversible and requiring dialysis—a true medical emergency. Hallucinogenic effects and mind-body dissociation are also notable. Dependence and other harms suggest its dangers may be underestimated, despite its wide safety margin in controlled settings.
Abstract
Ketamine, a derivative of phencyclidine that was developed in the 1960s, is an anesthetic and analgesic with hallucinogenic effects. In this paper,...
Repeated 7-day exposure to ketamine induces anxiety-like behaviors and neuronal apoptosis in mice via DRD1-medicated inhibition of Akt/Gsk-3β phosphorylation.
Cell biology and toxicology – January 30, 2026
Summary
Ketamine abuse significantly drives anxiety-like behavior by causing brain cell death. Seven days of exposure to ketamine in mice induced marked anxiety-like behavior and cognitive dysfunction. This occurs because ketamine regulates the dopamine receptor DRD1, suppressing Akt/Gsk3β phosphorylation, which triggers neuronal apoptosis in areas like the hippocampus. Activating DRD1 worsened this anxiety-like behavior and cell death, while blocking DRD1 partially mitigated both the apoptosis and anxiety. Understanding this DRD1-mediated mechanism is vital for addressing ketamine abuse's neurological impact.
Abstract
Repeated exposure to ketamine leads to mental behavioral disorders and cognitive deficits in mice. As a neurotransmitter receptor, dopamine recepto...
Cortical high-frequency oscillations (≈ 110 Hz) in cats are state-dependent and enhanced by a subanesthetic dose of ketamine.
Behavioural brain research – January 05, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful psychedelic and anesthetic drug, dramatically affects brain wave patterns in unexpected ways. Scientists found that low doses boost ultra-fast brain oscillations (HFO) during wakefulness, particularly when breathing in. These enhanced brain waves flow from smell-processing regions to decision-making areas, suggesting how ketamine might influence cognition and consciousness.
Abstract
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist that has antidepressant and anesthetic properties. At subanesthetic doses, ketamine induces transient psych...
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Hippocampal subfield differences in people with and without recreational ketamine use: Insights from multi-modal neuroimaging.
Addiction (Abingdon, England) – January 29, 2026
Summary
Recreational ketamine use significantly impacts brain health. Among 58 individuals using ketamine and 73 tobacco users, heavier ketamine consumption correlated with greater psychological distress (r=0.343), anxiety (r=0.457), and hostility (r=0.442). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed reduced left hippocampus volume (η2=0.03), particularly in a specific hippocampal region (η2=0.08). Functional neuroimaging also showed altered connectivity, correlating with N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor distributions (z=0.30). These changes accompany working memory impairments (η2=0.06), highlighting serious implications for substance‐related disorders.
Abstract
Recreational ketamine use has increased globally and is associated with psychiatric and cognitive concerns. The hippocampus in preclinical models s...
Entactogen Effects of Ketamine: A Reverse-Translational Study.
The American journal of psychiatry – September 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a breakthrough antidepressant, shows remarkable potential in enhancing social connection and empathy. Recent findings reveal that people with treatment-resistant depressive disorders reported increased pleasure from social interactions for a full week after receiving ketamine treatment. Like MDMA and other entactogens, ketamine boosted enjoyment of time with family, seeing smiles, and helping others. Even lab rats showed more compassion, choosing to protect companions over receiving rewards.
Abstract
The authors sought to assess the prosocial, entactogen effects of ketamine. Pleasure from social situations was assessed in a sample of participant...
Ketamine modulates disrupted in schizophrenia-1/glycogen synthase kinase-3β interaction.
Frontiers in molecular neuroscience – January 01, 2024
Summary
The anesthetic ketamine can disrupt crucial brain proteins, but lithium may help protect against its effects. New research reveals how ketamine reduces levels of DISC1, a key protein for brain development and mental health. When DISC1 decreases, it impairs its partnership with GSK-3β, leading to shorter nerve cell connections. Importantly, lithium treatment prevented these negative effects, suggesting a potential protective approach.
Abstract
Disrupted in schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) is a scaffolding protein whose mutated form has been linked to schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorders, and...
Ketamine reduces the neural distinction between self- and other-produced affective touch: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – October 01, 2024
Summary
Our ability to distinguish self-touch from others' touch is key to our sense of self. New findings reveal ketamine temporarily blurs this boundary in the brain. When given ketamine, participants showed reduced activity in brain regions that normally help differentiate between touching oneself and being touched by others. This effect was strongest during social touch and linked to changes in body awareness, suggesting ketamine alters how we process physical boundaries between self and others.
Abstract
A coherent sense of self is crucial for social functioning and mental health. The N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist ketamine induces short-term disso...
Network localization of functional brain changes associated with ketamine's therapeutic effects in depression.
Biological psychiatry – June 13, 2025
Summary
How does ketamine rapidly lift depression? A key insight reveals its therapeutic effects stem from changes within a specific brain network. By analyzing numerous brain imaging studies, researchers mapped how ketamine alters functional connectivity. This robust brain network, crucial for mood, consistently involves regions like the subgenual cingulate cortex. These findings offer a clearer understanding of ketamine's unique power in treating depression.
Abstract
Although numerous studies have attempted to identify the functional pathways underlying the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine, their finding...
Ketamine evoked disruption of entorhinal and hippocampal spatial maps
bioRxiv Preprint Server – February 05, 2023
Summary
Ever wonder why ketamine can cause out-of-body sensations? New research sheds light on how this antidepressant impacts the brain's internal GPS. Using advanced imaging in mice, scientists found ketamine acutely disrupted spatial maps in the entorhinal cortex, boosting neuron activity. Concurrently, activity in the hippocampus, vital for position sense, was suppressed. These precise findings pinpoint a neural circuit disruption as the basis for ketamine's spatial effects.
Abstract
Ketamine, a rapid-acting anesthetic and acute antidepressant, carries undesirable spatial cognition side effects including out-of-body experiences ...
N-Acetylcysteine Mitigates Ketamine Neurotoxicity in Young Rats by Modulating ROS-Mediated Pyroptosis and Ferroptosis.
Molecular neurobiology – March 20, 2025
Summary
A common anesthetic used in pediatric surgery, ketamine, can potentially harm developing brains. However, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a powerful antioxidant, shows promise in preventing this damage. NAC works by blocking harmful cellular processes called ferroptosis and pyroptosis, which are triggered by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). This protection helps preserve brain function and prevents cognitive impairment in young patients.
Abstract
Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist with anesthetic and analgesic properties, is extensively utilized for the induction and maint...
Interleaved Propofol-Ketamine Maintains DBS Physiology and Hemodynamic Stability: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society – April 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in brain surgery comfort: Patients with Parkinson's disease can now undergo deep brain stimulation while comfortably sedated, rather than fully awake. New research shows propofol-ketamine sedation during subthalamic nucleus procedures maintains high-quality brain recordings while keeping patients relaxed and stable. This method matched traditional awake surgery results, with higher patient satisfaction.
Abstract
The gold standard anesthesia for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is the "awake" approach, using local anesthesia alone. Although it offers hig...
Efficacy and Safety of Ketamine/Esketamine in Bipolar Depression in a Clinical Setting.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – October 02, 2024
Summary
New findings show promising results for ketamine treatments in bipolar depression, with 39% of patients experiencing significant mood improvement. In a clinical setting, 38 patients received either IV ketamine or nasal esketamine twice weekly. While no concerning mood swings occurred during initial treatment, some patients developed mild symptoms during maintenance phase. Overall, depression scores improved by 38%.
Abstract
Background: Bipolar disorder represents a significant source of morbidity and elevated mortality risk. Ketamine has emerged as a powerful antidepre...
Biotransformation of ketamine in terminal in vivo experiments under chronic intermittent hypoxia conditions and the role of AhR.
Archives of toxicology – April 19, 2025
Summary
New insights into how sleep apnea affects drug metabolism reveal that oxygen fluctuations can alter how anesthesia medications break down in the body. Scientists found that low oxygen conditions change how ketamine is processed, particularly through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway. This discovery has implications for improving anesthesia safety in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders.
Abstract
We were pioneers in describing aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) in a rat pre-clinical model. This m...
Ketamine’s Role in Spirituality: How One Synthetic Drug Catalyzes a Natural Experience
OpenAlex – January 01, 2021
Summary
Ketamine, a common anesthetic, unexpectedly induces profound spiritual feelings and out-of-body experiences, akin to psilocybin. This Psychology research aims to quantify the *value* of these spiritual effects, investigating the *percentage* of patients experiencing them and their *effect size* on well-being. Psychotherapists often avoid discussing such experiences. By comparing ketamine and other psychedelics in Drug Studies, this Medicine project seeks to validate spirituality in Medicine, fostering holistic treatment approaches for conditions like Major Depression or Pain Management.
Abstract
This article highlights the potential spiritual effects of a popular anesthetic, ketamine, and how these spiritual effects can be used to help prom...
Enhanced ERK activity extends ketamine's antidepressant effects by augmenting synaptic plasticity.
Science (New York, N.Y.) – May 08, 2025
Summary
A single dose of ketamine can rapidly lift depression, but its effects fade quickly. Scientists discovered that boosting a specific brain protein (ERK) helps ketamine work longer by strengthening connections between brain cells. By blocking a natural brake on ERK activity, researchers extended ketamine's antidepressant effects for up to two months, potentially offering a safer way to maintain its benefits without repeated doses.
Abstract
Repeated ketamine treatment to maintain a rapid antidepressant effect can lead to side effects over time, highlighting an unmet clinical need for s...
The Effects of Ketamine and Esketamine on Measures of Quality of Life in Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Systematic Review.
Journal of affective disorders – August 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough treatments ketamine and esketamine show promising results in improving quality of life for people with severe depression. Analysis of multiple studies reveals these medications not only reduce depressive symptoms but significantly enhance patients' overall wellbeing. Patient-reported outcomes indicate meaningful improvements across various life domains, offering hope for those who haven't responded to traditional treatments.
Abstract
The rapid and clinically meaningful antidepressant effects of ketamine and esketamine are well-established in major depressive disorder (MDD) and t...
Using cluster analysis to investigate consumption patterns in cases positive to ketamine: a national 7-year study.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology – March 14, 2025
Summary
Nearly half of ketamine-related deaths involved alcohol consumption, revealing dangerous consumption patterns among users. Analysis of 414 cases showed distinct groups of polydrug use, with most people combining ketamine with alcohol, new psychoactive substances, or methamphetamine. Those with moderate ketamine levels showed higher suicide risk, while lower doses were linked to accidental deaths. Self-administered ketamine proved most lethal when mixed with other substances.
Abstract
The use of ketamine has increased; however, actual consumption patterns and ketamine-related deaths remain poorly understood. This study aimed to (...
Perioperative administration of sub-anesthetic ketamine/esketamine for preventing postpartum depression symptoms: A trial sequential meta-analysis.
PloS one – January 01, 2024
Summary
A single dose of ketamine during childbirth could cut postpartum depression risk by more than half. This groundbreaking analysis of over 3,400 women reveals that administering low-dose ketamine after delivery significantly reduces depression symptoms in new mothers, both immediately and up to 6 weeks postpartum. While some patients experienced mild side effects like dizziness, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks, especially when given after delivery.
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major mental health issue affecting 10%-15% of women globally. This meta-analysis synthesized updated evidence on ...
Detection of ketamine in the oral fluid of drivers in northeastern France during the years 2020-2023.
Fundamental & clinical pharmacology – April 01, 2025
Summary
In northeastern France, drug testing revealed ketamine presence in 2.6% of drivers who tested positive for narcotics. Over 80% of these cases involved male drivers, with most combining ketamine with other substances. Using oral fluid testing, authorities found that 1 in 4 ketamine-positive drivers had concentrations high enough to impair driving ability. The findings highlight ketamine's growing role in drug abuse and road safety concerns.
Abstract
Ketamine is a psychoactive substance used for its stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. As the use of ketamine may lead to impaired driving, we ...
Comparison of anesthetic effects of xylazine combined with alfaxalone or ketamine and maintained with isoflurane in captive Formosan Reeve's Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi micrurus).
Irish veterinary journal – February 08, 2025
Summary
Veterinarians have discovered a safer way to anesthetize Formosan Reeve's muntjac, a rare deer species from Southeast Asia. When comparing two anesthetic combinations, alfaxalone with xylazine proved gentler than traditional ketamine with xylazine. The newer method resulted in faster recovery times and better oxygen levels, while maintaining stable heart rates - crucial findings for wildlife veterinarians working with these sensitive animals.
Abstract
Formosan Reeve's muntjac is a Cervidae species endemic to Southeast China and Taiwan. However, research on different anesthetic protocols, their ef...
Chronic Ketamine Toxicity Involving both Urinary and Hepatobiliary Systems.
Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology – January 01, 2026
Summary
The less-recognized dangers of ketamine abuse extend to the liver and bile ducts, not just the urinary system. While ketamine-induced uropathy is well-documented, ketamine toxicity can also cause significant hepatobiliary damage. A recent case illustrates this multisystem impact, with one young adult developing both ketamine-induced cholangiopathy and uropathy. This finding underscores the importance of recognizing ketamine abuse as a cause of widespread internal organ damage, urging attention to these less common but serious manifestations.
Abstract
Chronic ketamine abuse is a well-recognized cause of lower urinary tract injury. Hepatobiliary manifestations are less frequently reported. A case ...
Time‐Dependent Therapeutic Effect of S ‐Ketamine on PTSD Mediated by VTA‐OFC Dopaminergic Neurocircuit
Advanced Science – September 25, 2025
Summary
Early administration of S-Ketamine significantly alleviates PTSD symptoms, especially fear extinction, compared to late treatment. In rodent models, early intervention restored the firing rates of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which were impaired after PTSD modeling. A novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique targeting the orbitofrontal cortex enhanced dopaminergic transmission and extended ketamine's therapeutic window. With a clearer understanding of the VTA-dopamine-orbitofrontal cortex neurocircuit, this approach optimizes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for effective PTSD treatment, demonstrating its potential in neuroscience and medicine.
Abstract
Current pharmacotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are limited by delayed onset and side effects. Despite ketamine exhibiting rapi...
α-tocopherol alleviates ketamine toxicity in rat brain neurons.
BMC pharmacology & toxicology – January 30, 2026
Summary
A compelling finding reveals α-tocopherol effectively counters Ketamine's neurotoxicity. Ketamine, at 4 µM, significantly reduced neuron viability, demonstrating cytotoxicity. Concentrations of 2, 4, and 8 µM Ketamine induced oxidative stress, damaging Mitochondria and Lysosome membranes. Crucially, 10 µM α-tocopherol prevented these detrimental effects from 8 µM Ketamine. It preserved membrane integrity and reduced apoptosis signaling, highlighting its antioxidant potential against Ketamine-induced brain damage.
Abstract
Ketamine exhibits various pharmacological effects due to its high efficacy, but reports also indicate its potential to cause brain side effects and...
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature
Journal of Pain Research – June 01, 2022
Summary
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers rapid, sustained relief for mental health conditions. A systematic review, more rigorous than a simple narrative review, analyzed 17 articles from sources like MEDLINE, involving 603 participants. This medicine, combined with a psychotherapist's guidance, significantly reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms, aiding the treatment of Major Depression. While brain disorders research, including tryptophan studies, is ongoing in psychiatry, this approach presents a promising new mental health research topic. Further randomized controlled trials are crucial.
Abstract
Sandra J Drozdz,1 Akash Goel,1â 3 Matthew W McGarr,4 Joel Katz,3,5â 7 Paul Ritvo,5,7 Gabriella F Mattina,1 Venkat Bhat,8â 10 Calvin Diep,3 Ka...
The collective lie in ketamine therapy: a call to realign clinical practice with neurobiology
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 22, 2025
Summary
Ketamine therapy is often misinterpreted as a consciousness-expanding treatment, but its true function lies in promoting neuroplasticity as an NMDA receptor antagonist. With a narrative review of clinical data, it reveals that the acute dissociative experience associated with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is not essential for effective treatment. Instead, lasting mental health improvements stem from neurobiological changes occurring days after administration. Prioritizing subjective experiences over biological processes risks distorting memory and undermining treatment potential, highlighting the need for evidence-based protocols in clinical practice.
Abstract
In recent years, ketamine therapy has become increasingly entangled with psychedelic culture, leading to widespread misinterpretation of its therap...
Age-related moderation of adjunctive psychotherapy and early life stress effects on depression symptom reductions following ketamine treatment: Initial insights from a large, naturalistic sample.
Journal of affective disorders – February 04, 2026
Summary
Higher Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores predict a stronger antidepressant response to ketamine for Major Depressive Disorder. Among 224 patients, each unit increase in ACE score correlated with a -0.6 greater reduction in Depression symptoms over time. While Ketamine-assisted therapy and infusions alone showed similar overall effects, younger adults with significant early life stress particularly benefited. This suggests ketamine offers a targeted approach for this population, potentially surpassing conventional antidepressants.
Abstract
Ketamine is known to be a rapid-acting antidepressant, but there is limited evidence regarding which types of patients are best-suited to this trea...
Barriers and Access to Care for Firefighters with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Seeking Ketamine Assisted Therapy: a qualitative study.
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine – February 02, 2026
Summary
Firefighters face alarming PTSD rates, 7.3% compared to 1.3-3.5% in the general population, often with treatment-resistant PTSD. Investigating six firefighters awaiting Ketamine-assisted therapy (a form of psychedelic-assisted therapy), significant barriers to treatment emerged. Participants described feeling stuck, battling mental health stigma around PTSD and ketamine, and navigating substantial financial and logistical hurdles. Their experiences highlight the critical need for systemic changes to support firefighter mental health and improve access to promising new treatments like Ketamine-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Firefighters are exposed to a disproportionately high number of traumatic incidents and, thus, display elevated rates of trauma-related mental heal...
Exploring Cultural Competence, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Phenomenological Study.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – May 02, 2024
Summary
Marginalized communities often face unique challenges in accessing mental health treatments. New research reveals how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be effectively tailored for diverse populations. Following 15 participants from various racial, ethnic, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds, the study found that cultural sensitivity and inclusivity significantly impact treatment outcomes. Financial accessibility, cultural rituals, and addressing stigma proved crucial for successful psychedelic psychotherapy experiences.
Abstract
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and other minoritized populations are insufficiently represented in research on therapeutic psyched...
Ketamine intolerance in patients on enhanced recovery after surgery protocols undergoing colorectal operations.
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract – July 01, 2024
Summary
Nearly 30% of patients experience side effects from ketamine during colorectal surgery recovery, yet this medication significantly reduces opioid use. Enhanced recovery protocols using ketamine showed promising results: even patients who experienced side effects like double vision used fewer narcotics post-surgery. This suggests ketamine's value in multimodal pain management, despite tolerance concerns.
Abstract
Ketamine is used in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols because of its beneficial antihyperalgesic and antitolerance effects. However,...
Ketamine/esketamine in the treatment of depression with comorbid borderline personality disorder or traits: A systematic review of effectiveness
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – September 20, 2025
Summary
Ketamine and esketamine show promise in alleviating depression symptoms for individuals with borderline personality disorder, potentially benefiting a population often grappling with severe mental health challenges. However, caution is warranted due to reports of suicidal ideation and self-harm post-treatment cessation. Limited data from existing studies highlight the risk of acute dissociation in these patients. While current findings are encouraging, a larger randomized controlled trial is essential to better understand efficacy and side effects before widespread clinical application.
Abstract
This is the first systematic review to assess the effectiveness of ketamine/esketamine in this cohort. Our findings suggest that ketamine/esketamin...
Ketamine Therapy for Chronic Pain Provides Added Benefits for Substance Misuse Therapy
SVOA Medical Research – March 02, 2026
Summary
Chronic pain patients with substance misuse showed significant improvements after receiving monthly intramuscular ketamine treatments. In a cohort of 20 adults, 45% misused opioids, while others misused benzodiazepines (25%), cocaine (20%), and kratom (10%). Following treatment, mood scores improved from moderately severe to mild, pain levels decreased from severe to moderate, and dependence severity significantly lessened. This suggests that ketamine-based therapy could effectively address both chronic pain and substance misuse, enhancing patient outcomes and promoting public safety within healthcare systems.
Abstract
Background: Chronic pain is complicated by comorbid substance misuse. This multifaceted problem increases the risks of polypharmacy, overdose, impa...
Ketamine evokes acute behavioral effects via μ-opioid receptor expressing neurons of the central amygdala.
Biological psychiatry – May 05, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects may work through an unexpected pathway in the brain's emotional center. Scientists discovered that ketamine activates specific neurons in the central amygdala that contain mu opioid receptors. When these receptors were blocked with naltrexone, ketamine's effects diminished significantly. This finding explains why ketamine's antidepressant properties differ from similar medications and offers new insights into treating depression.
Abstract
Ketamine has anesthetic, analgesic, and antidepressant properties which may involve multiple neuromodulatory systems. In humans, the opioid recepto...
Negative emotionality shapes the modulatory effects of ketamine and lamotrigine in subregions of the anterior cingulate cortex.
Translational psychiatry – June 18, 2024
Summary
Your brain's emotional control center responds differently to ketamine based on your personality traits. Scientists found that ketamine reduces activity in key brain regions involved in mood regulation, particularly in people prone to negative emotions. When combined with lamotrigine, these effects change, suggesting ketamine works through complex brain chemistry pathways. The findings help explain why ketamine's antidepressant effects vary among individuals.
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have identified the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as one of the major targets of ketamine in the human brain, which may be r...
Functional activity and connectivity signatures of ketamine and lamotrigine during negative emotional processing: a double-blind randomized controlled fMRI study.
Translational psychiatry – October 14, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects may work by changing how our brain processes negative emotions. Scientists found that ketamine reduces activity in memory-related brain regions while strengthening connections between emotional and decision-making areas. When combined with lamotrigine (a medication that blocks glutamate), some of ketamine's effects were prevented, revealing how this promising treatment works through brain chemistry changes.
Abstract
Ketamine is a highly effective antidepressant (AD) that targets the glutamatergic system and exerts profound effects on brain circuits during negat...
Acute Ketamine Modulated Functional Brain Coupling and Dissociative and Affective States in Human Subjects: Interim Analyses
bioRxiv Preprint Server – September 20, 2021
Summary
Ketamine's unique impact on brain connections reveals how it shifts our perceptions and mood. Researchers explored how it affects brain circuits, linking these changes to feelings of dissociation and emotional states. Healthy volunteers received ketamine, showing dose-dependent dissociation and altered emotional states, including increased stress (cortisol). Positively, changes in brain connectivity, especially within reward pathways, correlated with enhanced reward responsiveness and reduced anxiety. Understanding these brain-state shifts is crucial for maximizing ketamine's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Ketamine is a non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor that is both a drug of abuse and an FDA-approved ane...
Grayken lessons: a multidisciplinary approach to care for a patient with severe ketamine use disorder.
Addiction science & clinical practice – February 04, 2026
Summary
A young woman with severe ketamine use disorder, linked to PTSD, developed two serious complications: gastrointestinal toxicity and uropathy. Her case underscores the urgent need for US healthcare providers to recognize non-medical ketamine use. Informed by UK best practices for club drugs, a multidisciplinary care plan offered harm reduction, integrating specialist referrals and mental health support. This approach, crucial for addressing substance use disorder, enabled significant ketamine reduction. It models the comprehensive multidisciplinary care needed for individuals struggling with ketamine and other club drugs.
Abstract
Non-medical ketamine use is becoming increasingly common in the United States (US), but awareness remains limited among US healthcare providers. He...
Impact of Medical Comorbidities on Ketamine and Esketamine Treatment Effectiveness for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression: A Clinical Outcomes Analysis from the VA San Diego Healthcare System.
CNS drugs – June 01, 2025
Summary
Veterans receiving ketamine treatments showed significant improvements in both depression and PTSD symptoms, but medical history matters. This analysis of 119 veterans revealed that while ketamine therapy effectively reduced mental health symptoms overall, those with traumatic brain injuries or severe sleep apnea showed less improvement in depression. These findings highlight the importance of considering existing health conditions when planning mental health treatments.
Abstract
Ketamine and esketamine are increasingly used to manage treatment-resistant depression and have also been shown to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic...
N1 cassette-lacking NMDA receptors mediate the antidepressant activity of ketamine
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 12, 2025
Summary
A key to ketamine's rapid antidepressant effect lies in specific brain receptors. Research shows that a particular variant of NMDA receptors, called GluN1a, is crucial. When these GluN1a receptors are present, ketamine effectively blocks their activity, especially during intense brain signals. This blockade leads to a positive antidepressant outcome. Conversely, when a different receptor variant is present, ketamine has no such effect. This pinpoints GluN1a receptors as essential targets for ketamine's powerful mood-lifting properties.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as a rapid-acting and robust antidepressant1,2. However, the mechanism of its antidepressant action remains enigmatic. The cor...
Ketamine as a Mental Health Treatment
AJN American Journal of Nursing – February 19, 2026
Summary
Ketamine shows remarkable promise for treating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with a clinical trial involving over 1,500 participants demonstrating significant improvements in symptoms. Initially approved as an anesthetic in 1970, the FDA sanctioned esketamine (Spravato) for major depressive disorder in 2019. Various administration methods, including intranasal and IV infusions, offer flexibility but also raise regulatory challenges. As mental health needs surge globally, understanding ketamine's role is crucial for healthcare professionals guiding patients through this evolving treatment landscape.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as a promising intervention for treatment-resistant mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic st...