Learning how to make use of dissociative therapies.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – December 01, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Breakthrough treatments like ketamine and esketamine are transforming mental health care through their rapid-acting effects. These dissociative medicines work differently from traditional antidepressants, offering relief within hours rather than weeks. While related to psychedelic therapy, they have unique properties. Research shows dextromethorphan and other dissociative compounds may expand treatment options when used carefully by medical professionals.
Abstract
Dissociative therapies are being increasingly explored for their psychiatric applications, although questions remain about how they work and how best to use them. In exploring these questions, this review highlights six key areas of clinical relevance: (1) The possible contributions of functional unblinding when interpreting efficacy data; (2) The degree to which the therapeutic effects of dissociative therapies can be distinguished from the transient forms of relief seen with recreational drug use; (3) Understanding the construct of dissociation as it is tasked with describing the function of dissociative drugs; (4) The investigation of subjective drug effects as predictors of therapeutic outcome; (5) Similarities and differences in the effects of dissociative and classic psychedelics; and (6) The anticipated need for judicious prescribing/deprescribing resources as dissociative therapies proliferate.