Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 15, 2019
Jennifer Dore, Brent Turnipseed, Shannon Dwyer et al.
207 citations
Ketamine, the only legal psychedelic medicine for mental health, is typically given intravenously for treatment-resistant depression without psychotherapy, viewing its psychedelic effects as side effects. The authors argue it can benefit a wider range of patients when combined with psychotherapy, using its psychedelic properties without IV access, and its safety supports office or supervised at-home use. They describe Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as a tailored method and present demographic and outcome data from 235 patients. Findings suggest KAP effectively decreases depression and anxiety in private practice, especially for older patients and those with severe symptoms.
Scientific Reports
November 24, 2020
Julane Andries, Lisa Jerome, Evan Sola et al.
170 citations
A randomized controlled trial tested MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in people with life-threatening illnesses. Participants received either MDMA (125 mg) or placebo during two 8-hour psychotherapy sessions. At one month after the second session, the MDMA group showed a greater average reduction in anxiety scores (23.5 points) compared to the placebo group (8.8 points), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The treatment was well tolerated. After the trial, all participants received open-label MDMA sessions. These preliminary results suggest MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be a promising approach, but larger trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2023
Philip E Wolfson, Julane Andries, Daniel Ahlers et al.
27 citations
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) shows promise for treating adolescent mental disorders, though research is early. Four adolescents aged 14–19 with treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, panic, and trauma-related symptoms received sublingual ketamine followed by intramuscular ketamine. Each had symptomatic and functional improvements, and the treatment was well-tolerated. Rapid resolution of symptoms often occurs within months but is not inevitable. Family involvement appears essential to success. This modality may expand psychiatric treatment options.