A panel of experts from the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners used a Delphi process to develop consensus guidelines for administering intravenous ketamine infusions to treat depressive disorders. The guidelines provide recommendations on patient selection, dosing, safety monitoring, and treatment protocols, aiming to standardize clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. The consensus reflects agreement among specialists on best practices for this off-label use of ketamine.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) differs from standard psychiatric treatments by requiring fewer doses and promoting profound cognitive shifts. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been treated with medication and behavioral therapies, but adverse effects and negative perceptions of therapy within the autistic community have spurred interest in PAT. Overlap in neuropsychological effects of psychedelics with autism, such as serotonergic signaling and prosocial behavior, suggests potential benefits for autistic adults. However, PAT's sensation-heavy experiences may induce stress in some participants, and most research on reducing distress focuses on neurotypical populations. The modalities, goals, and integration of PAT may need adaptation for autistic adults, and ethical considerations are warranted before large-scale clinical trials.