Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – July 01, 2014
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful dissociative medicine, is transforming psychiatry's approach to major depression. Its unique pharmacology offers potent anxiolytic and analgesic effects by influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists are exploring its use in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, particularly Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy (KPP). An extensive review of literature details KPP's clinical applications, exploring the phenomenology of transpersonal experiences to guide treatment, drawing on Psychology and Neuroscience. It also highlights potential risks, underscoring its role in modern medicine.
Abstract
Meant to be an authoritative guide for psychiatrists and others interested in understanding and applying ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy (KPP), this paper focuses on its pharmacology, phenomenology, and clinical applications. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely used by physicians and veterinarians in the United States. In addition to its anesthetic and dissociative properties, ketamine also has a multitude of other psychological and pharmacological properties, which include analgesic, sedative, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, stimulant, euphoriant, and hallucinogenic effects. The literature on the clinical application of KPP is comprehensively reviewed, practical advice for using KPP is given, and the pharmacology and phenomenology of ketamine-induced psychedelic experiences are explored, including in relationship to transpersonal healing and possible iatrogenic consequences of misuse of KPP.