Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2021
O Merve Mollaahmetoglu, Johanna Keeler, Katherine J Ashbullby et al.
62 citations
Ketamine treatment, provided in a supportive clinical setting, led to a significant change in participants' relationship with alcohol. Interviews with 12 people who received up to three ketamine infusions (0.8 mg/kg) as part of a Phase II randomized controlled trial revealed six key themes: multifaceted motivations for joining the trial; the influence of set and setting on the acute experience; inherent contradictions such as dissociation versus feelings of connection; rapidly fluctuating experiences; meaningful, mystical, and spiritual experiences; and transformational effects of the infusions. Participants reported that ego dissolution and dissociation were linked to these transformative changes. The authors suggest that the acute psychoactive effects of ketamine transcend its traditional label as a dissociative anesthetic and recommend developing new measures to capture the full spectrum of these effects.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
April 28, 2025
Rebecca E Harding, Tamsin Barton, Maeve Niepceron et al.
14 citations
Ketamine use disorder (KUD) is linked to frequent physical and psychological symptoms, including bladder problems (60%), nasal problems (60%), 'K-cramps' (56%), and abstinence-related cravings (71%), low mood (62%), and anxiety (59%). A survey of 274 current or former users, 40% treatment-seeking and 60% not, found that treatment-seeking individuals consumed more ketamine daily (2.67 g vs. 1.68 g). Despite these symptoms, 56% did not seek treatment; among those who did, only 36% were satisfied with care. Services were often seen as not tailored to ketamine (43%) and only somewhat effective (43%). Cost and affordability were the top factors for choosing treatment.
Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)
May 14, 2025
Hannah Thurgur, Ben Sessa, Laurie Higbed et al.
3 citations
In an open-label feasibility study, 14 adults with alcohol use disorder who had recently completed detoxification underwent an eight-week course of ten psychotherapy sessions, including two sessions with MDMA. Bayesian analysis estimated a 55%–63% probability of a two-level reduction in World Health Organization drinking risk three months after treatment. Preliminary findings also indicated reductions in alcohol craving and improvements in sleep and aspects of psychosocial functioning at the three-month follow-up compared to baseline. The results provide initial insights into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy's potential to improve quality of life and well-being beyond reducing drinking.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2023
Simon G D Ruffell, Nige Netzband, WaiFung Tsang et al.
1 citation
correction
This is a correction notice for a previously published article. It provides no new findings, arguments, or data.