The Effectiveness of Ketamine Treatment on Depression
Communications in Humanities Research September 27, 2024 Yichen Liu
Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, has recently been found to produce rapid and effective antidepressant effects within a short time after administration, unlike earlier antidepressants such as SSRIs and tricyclics that work by regulating neurotransmitter levels. Multiple studies suggest that Ketamine's therapeutic results may rely on entirely new mechanisms and targets not yet fully understood. This offers a new solution for treatment-resistant depression, providing hope for patients who have not responded to other treatments. This literature review examines Ketamine's therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms across three sections: significant antidepressant effects, underlying principles, and factors relevant to improving Ketamine therapy.