Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
2 papers in the library · 6 citations · publishing 2025-2026
Ketamine, a rapid-acting treatment for depression and other psychiatric conditions, has raised safety concerns because chronic recreational use can damage the bladder and urinary tract. This systematic review of 27 clinical studies, mostly in people with depression, found that 0% to 24.5% of patients receiving ketamine reported urological symptoms, which were usually mild or moderate. Objective measures of bladder and kidney function showed no significant changes from before to after treatment. The evidence suggests that therapeutic ketamine does not appear to increase the risk of urological problems, but most studies were short-term and did not systematically monitor symptoms, so more long-term research is needed.
Psychedelics show promise for treating neuropsychiatric conditions, but their Schedule 1 status creates regulatory and economic hurdles for research. Rigorous human mechanistic studies are needed to understand how psychedelics produce therapeutic effects. This article offers practical guidance on study design, legislation, and drug sourcing, based on the authors' experience setting up non-clinical studies in the UK. The guidance aims to help researchers navigate the complex process of establishing human psychedelic studies, with some content applicable to investigator-initiated studies more broadly.