A Brief History Of Ketamine

Ketamine: A New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression

A Brief History of Ketamine

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that was first developed in the 1960s. It is commonly used in veterinary medicine, but it has also been used off-label for the treatment of depression in humans. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a nasal spray form of ketamine, called esketamine, for the treatment of depression in adults who have not responded to other treatments.

How Ketamine Works

Ketamine is thought to work by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain. The NMDA receptor is involved in the regulation of mood and cognition. By blocking this receptor, ketamine is thought to increase levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that is important for learning and memory.

Ketamine's Benefits and Risks

Ketamine has been shown to be effective in treating depression in people who have not responded to other treatments. It is typically administered as an intravenous infusion or as a nasal spray. Ketamine can have side effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion. It can also cause hallucinations and other psychological effects. However, these side effects typically go away within a few hours.

Ketamine's Potential

Ketamine is a promising new treatment for depression. It is effective in people who have not responded to other treatments, and it has a relatively low risk of side effects. Further research is needed to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of ketamine, but it has the potential to be a valuable tool in the treatment of depression.