Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
January 1, 2025
Kabir Nigam, Franklin King, Fernando Espi Forcen
4 citations
Ketamine is non-inferior to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression and is better tolerated than many second-line augmentation strategies. Currently viewed as a third-line agent for treatment-refractory depression, the available data suggest ketamine carries a low side-effect burden. Given the relationship between treatment outcomes and duration of untreated illness, the authors argue psychiatry should evaluate ketamine as a second-line augmentation strategy for refractory depression.
Psychiatric Annals
December 1, 2023
Fernando Espi Forcen
3 citations
Spirituality among Hispanic and Latinx people takes many forms. While Catholicism has been dominant for centuries, Native American and African spiritual traditions have experienced a revival in recent decades. At the same time, Evangelical Christianity is rapidly growing in popularity across Latin America, reflecting the influence of the United States. To properly study these spiritual practices, researchers must understand the historical changes that shaped these religions and the context in which they became established in the region.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
October 25, 2024
Kabir Nigam, Franklin King, Fernando Espi Forcen
2 citations
Ketamine appears highly effective for refractory depression, with fewer side effects and better tolerability than many other augmentation strategies. Evidence on mediators of psychiatric treatment outcomes suggests that using ketamine earlier in the course of treatment could improve patient outcomes.
Journal of immigrant and minority health
June 9, 2025
Juliana Zambrano, Fernando Espi Forcen, Jose Hidalgo et al.
Psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise for depression and PTSD, but their application has largely excluded marginalized groups such as Latinx immigrants, who face mental health challenges at rates similar to white populations yet have lower treatment engagement due to cultural stigma, language barriers, and limited access to culturally competent care. This paper argues for group-based, culturally adapted models of psychedelic-assisted therapy tailored to Latinx immigrants, emphasizing community healing, collective therapeutic processes, and the incorporation of cultural traditions. Group psychedelic therapy may enhance social connections, reduce isolation, and increase accessibility while addressing unique immigrant stressors. Rigorous research and culturally competent care models are needed to reduce mental health disparities.