Repeated intravenous ketamine infusions are no more effective than a placebo (midazolam) for reducing depressive symptoms in inpatients with moderate to severe depression. In a randomized clinical trial, there was no statistically significant difference between the ketamine and midazolam groups on the primary outcome of depression severity at the end of treatment. No significant differences were found on secondary measures of efficacy, cognition, economic outcomes, or quality of life. These results do not support a superior antidepressant effect for serial intravenous ketamine as an addition to usual inpatient care.
Scientific materialism and Eastern monistic ideologies, often seen as incompatible, share surprising similarities and points of convergence in their approaches to consciousness, reality, and mind-matter connections. Drawing on seminal works in scientific materialism, quantum physics, and Eastern traditions such as Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism, recent advances in quantum mechanics and neuroscience have led some researchers to reconsider materialist paradigms, potentially bridging gaps with non-dualistic Eastern concepts. While ontological gaps remain, both theories seek to grasp ultimate reality and human experience. A sophisticated interaction between these traditions can deepen scientific and philosophical discourse, leading to more complete conceptions of consciousness and reality. The paper proposes a paradigm for future interdisciplinary research combining Western scientific materialism and Eastern monistic thinking.