Repurposed Drugs of Abuse (Stimulants, Ketamine, and Psychedelics): Focus on Risks
Bipolar Disorder January 1, 2025 Breno Souza-Marques, Ana Teresa Caliman-Fontes, Gustavo C. Leal et al.
Some people with bipolar disorder continue to have symptoms despite available treatments, leading researchers to explore repurposing drugs of abuse—such as stimulants, ketamine, and psychedelics—as novel therapies. While clinical trials show promising efficacy for some of these drugs, concerns about their risks have emerged. This chapter examines the potential benefits and, especially, the associated risks, including addiction, worsening of psychiatric symptoms, and adverse physical and cognitive effects. It offers a balanced risk–benefit analysis that weighs these factors against the severity of bipolar disorder, alternative treatments, and the possibility of individualized risk stratification, aiming to inform clinical decisions and guide future research.