A long, strange trip: Ketamine treatment in psychiatry.
David J. Nutt, Celia Morgan, David Erritzøe, Kyle T. Greenway, Allan H. Young
J Psychopharmacol October 27, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/02698811251379393 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractKetamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has emerged as a promising treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric conditions, particularly in patients who have not responded to traditional therapies. The compound can provide rapid relief from depressive symptoms, often within hours, which contrasts with conventional antidepressants that may take weeks to work. This surprising discovery has opened a new frontier in mental health treatment, offering hope for those with challenging mood disorders. However, the use of ketamine in psychiatry also raises concerns about its potential for abuse and long-term side effects, necessitating careful clinical oversight.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Powerful compound Anesthetic Psychiatry Mental health treatment |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | Ketamine offers rapid relief for severe depression in patients unresponsive to traditional therapies, marking a promising new frontier in psychiatric treatment. |
Abstract
A long, strange trip: Ketamine treatment in psychiatry.