Lancet Psychiatry
April 5, 2017
Ilina Singh, Celia Morgan, Valerie Curran et al.
158 citations
Based on current evidence, off-label ketamine use for severe, treatment-resistant depression does not violate ethical principles, but clinicians and professional bodies must establish guidelines for good practice, register all trial data, and continuously monitor risks. The analysis reviews evidence for ketamine's antidepressant effects and safety profile, concluding with recommendations for oversight bodies to support safe, effective, and ethical treatment.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
July 1, 2026
Marcus J Glennon, Catherine I V Bird, Prateek Yadav et al.
2 citations
Setting up a psychedelic research study involves a long, arduous, and Kafkaesque process with many unstandardised challenges. These complexities challenge existing assumptions about psychiatric prescribing, the placebo effect, and definitions of selfhood. This review brings together major UK psychedelic research teams to formalise these unique considerations, addressing sociocultural, political, legal, pharmacological, safety, study design, and experiential facets. It identifies continuing areas of debate and provides a practical, experience-based guide with recommendations for policymakers and future researchers intending to set up a psychedelic study or clinical trial.
J Psychopharmacol
October 27, 2025
David J. Nutt, Celia Morgan, David Erritzøe et al.
2 citations
Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has emerged as a promising treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric conditions, particularly in patients who have not responded to traditional therapies. The compound can provide rapid relief from depressive symptoms, often within hours, which contrasts with conventional antidepressants that may take weeks to work. This surprising discovery has opened a new frontier in mental health treatment, offering hope for those with challenging mood disorders. However, the use of ketamine in psychiatry also raises concerns about its potential for abuse and long-term side effects, necessitating careful clinical oversight.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
June 1, 2026
Gabrielle Smith, Timothy Piatkowski, Jason Ferris et al.
1 citation
People who self-treat psychiatric conditions with unregulated drugs often use ketamine alongside other psychedelics. Among 5831 respondents to the 2020 Global Drug Survey who self-treated diagnosed psychiatric conditions, over 60% had prior psychiatric diagnoses, most commonly depression and anxiety. Those using both ketamine and other psychedelics attended festivals and clubs more often and used ketamine more frequently. Those using only non-ketamine psychedelics showed a significant reduction in ketamine use. Nearly half sought online advice before starting ketamine self-treatment, suggesting online platforms are key for harm reduction resources.
BMJ open
February 10, 2025
Kathryn Fletcher, Nadine Ezard, Krista J Siefried et al.
1 citation
A pilot study will test the safety and feasibility of combining subanaesthetic ketamine with cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with methamphetamine use disorder. Twenty participants seeking to reduce or stop methamphetamine use will receive three subcutaneous ketamine doses (0.75 to 0.9 mg/kg) at weekly intervals and four therapy sessions over four weeks. The study will measure recruitment time, eligibility rates, treatment completion, retention, and acceptability over eight weeks, and explore changes in methamphetamine use, cravings, withdrawal, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction over 24 weeks. No pharmacological treatments currently exist for this condition, and psychotherapy alone is only moderately effective.
JME Practical Bioethics
July 1, 2026
Edward Jacobs, Edward Palmer, Celia Morgan
Some investigational drugs, such as ketamine, psychedelics, and cannabis, exist simultaneously in regulated clinical trials and unregulated street or online markets, where they are accessible without clinician oversight. The authors propose the term "parallel-access compounds" for this category and argue that research ethics should formally recognize these substances. Non-psychoactive examples also exist, like retatrutide, an investigational weight-loss drug that has been illicitly manufactured and sold despite being intended only for trial participants.
J Stud Alcohol Drugs
March 22, 2024
David J. Nutt, Celia Morgan, Sukhpreet Klaire
Over the past 70 years, psychedelic research for treating mental illness, particularly addictions, has evolved from early work with LSD in the 1950s and 1960s to recent neuroscience-driven studies. Recent developments include the use of MDMA in psychotherapy and ketamine as a treatment for mental illnesses. New research explores brain mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects. The field faces challenges in advancing research and clinical application.
arXiv Preprint Archive
March 28, 2025
Marcus J. Glennon, Catherine I. V. Bird, Prateek Yadav et al.
Setting up a psychedelic study is a long and complex process that presents unique challenges not yet standardized. This review brings together major UK research teams to formalize these considerations, identify ongoing debates, and provide a practical guide for researchers and policymakers. It addresses challenges to existing assumptions about psychiatric prescribing, the placebo effect, and definitions of selfhood. The paper can be read end-to-end or used as a manual with sections for specific needs.