No time to lose: the current state of research in rapid-acting psychotherapeutics
Joshua A. Gordon, Nora D. Volkow, George F. Koob
Neuropsychopharmacology January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01627-y via Springer Nature
Summary
Most treatments for psychiatric and substance use disorders require weeks to become effective, but some, like intravenous ketamine, can relieve symptoms within minutes to hours. Current research aims to discover new rapid-acting psychotherapeutics, including novel drug classes and innovative brain stimulation therapies, which are being studied in clinical and pre-clinical settings. Further investigation into the neurobiological mechanisms, effective therapeutic contexts, and implementation strategies is needed to fully realize the potential of these treatments.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Intravenous ketamine is one of the few treatments that can resolve psychiatric and substance use disorder symptoms in minutes to hours, unlike most therapies that take weeks to work. |
Abstract
The vast majority of treatments for psychiatric and substance use disorders take weeks to work. Notable exceptions to this rule exist, with some treatments such as intravenous ketamine resolving symptoms in minutes to hours. Current research is focused on identifying novel approaches to rapid-acting psychotherapeutics. Promising results from studies of novel classes of drugs and innovative brain stimulation therapies are currently being studied through both clinical and pre-clinical research, as described here. Research focused on understanding neurobiological mechanisms, effective therapeutic context, and implementation approaches are needed to maximize the potential reach of these therapies.