Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with ketamine produces substantial and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms for people with treatment-resistant depression, with higher efficacy than either therapy alone. A review of six studies—three case reports, a retrospective study, a pilot study, and a review—found significant reductions in depression severity and gains in psychosocial functioning. Adverse effects were generally mild and transient, with no severe events reported in most studies. The heterogeneity of study designs and small sample sizes highlight the need for larger randomized controlled trials to standardize protocols and confirm these findings.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition affecting individuals and society. This review highlights psilocybin's potential as a treatment, noting that after metabolism to psilocin it binds to serotonergic receptors, reducing negative mood, increasing optimism, enhancing introspection, and lowering amygdala reactivity. Animal studies show fear extinction and increased hippocampal neurogenesis. Side effects include nausea and physical discomfort. The review indicates an urgent need for innovative therapies and suggests psilocybin and other psychedelics offer prospects for treating PTSD symptoms directly or as an adjunct to psychotherapy.