Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy
December 1, 2024
Brandon Weiss, Lê-Anh L Dinh-Williams, Nick Beller et al.
16 citations
A mixed-methods case series of eight military veterans with moderate posttraumatic stress symptoms who participated in a three-day ayahuasca intervention in Central America found that most participants showed reliable or clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms after treatment, and most of those improvements were maintained at a three-month follow-up. Veterans also reported improvements in momentary PTSD symptoms and daily negative and positive affect. Perceived benefits included deep positive emotions, acceptance, and a sense of purpose, though adverse acute experiences were also reported. The study provides preliminary support for lasting benefits of a brief ayahuasca intervention on PTSD and mood symptoms in veterans.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
November 1, 2023
Nicolas Garel, Kyle T Greenway, Lê-Anh L Dinh-Williams et al.
10 citations
A course of six sub-anesthetic ketamine infusions over four weeks helped patients with treatment-resistant depression discontinue long-term benzodiazepine or z-drug use. Of 22 patients, 91% (20/22) successfully stopped all such medications by the end of the infusions, confirmed by urine tests. Fewer than 25% experienced significant worsening of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or suicidality during withdrawal. Over a mean follow-up of one year, 64% (14/22) remained abstinent. These preliminary results suggest ketamine infusions may facilitate benzodiazepine deprescription even in patients with active depression and significant comorbidity.
The British Journal of Psychiatry
June 18, 2025
Kyle T Greenway, Nicolas Garel, Lê-Anh L Dinh-Williams et al.
8 citations
In a clinical trial of ketamine combined with psychotherapy for severe treatment-resistant depression, 32 participants received six ketamine infusions with psychological support, either with or without music. Both groups showed large and sustained reductions in depression, anxiety, and suicidality at four weeks, fully maintained at eight-week follow-up. The ketamine experiences were highly emotional and mystical, comparable to those seen with psilocybin. Converging analyses suggested that mystical-like experiences contributed to the immediate and lasting antidepressant effects. Music did not enhance outcomes or psychedelic experiences.