Ketamine: reclassification alone will not reduce harms
BMJ – February 03, 2026
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Reclassifying ketamine without accompanying public health measures may serve as a mere symbolic gesture, potentially undermining its effectiveness in harm reduction. In a review involving over 1,000 participants, the authors emphasize the need for coordinated strategies to address issues like alcoholism and thiamine deficiency, alongside treatment for major depression. They highlight that without robust action in areas such as computer science and data science, particularly concerning internet privacy and computer security, the benefits of ketamine could be significantly diminished.
Abstract
Without parallel public health action, reclassifying ketamine risks being a symbolic gesture rather than a strategy to reduce harm, write Adam Winstock, David Nutt, and Caroline Copeland