Ketamine Psychedelic Therapy (KPT): A Review of the Results of Ten Years of Research

Adding ketamine psychedelic therapy (KPT) to standard alcoholism treatment substantially improved long-term abstinence rates. In a controlled clinical trial, 65.8% of alcoholic patients (73 out of 111) who received KPT remained totally abstinent for more than one year, compared to 24% (24 out of 100) in the conventional treatment control group. Psychological changes included harmonization of personality profiles on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, positive shifts in unconscious self-concept and emotional attitudes, and increased spiritual development, all favoring a sober lifestyle. Biochemical evidence indicated KPT affects monoaminergic and opioidergic neurotransmitter systems involved in alcohol dependence. EEG analysis showed increased theta activity in cerebrocortical regions, suggesting reinforced limbic-cortex interaction during sessions.

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Abstract

Ketamine is a prescription drug used for general anesthesia. In subanesthetic doses, it induces profound psychedelic experiences and hallucinations. The subanesthetic effect of ketamine was the hypothesized therapeutic mechanism in the authors' use of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for alcoholism. The results of a controlled clinical trial demonstrated a considerable increase in efficacy of the authors' standard alcoholism treatment when supplemented by ketamine psychedelic therapy (KPT). Total abstinence for more than one year was observed in 73 out of 111 (65.8%) alcoholic patients in the KPT group, compared to 24% (24 out of 100 patients) of the conventional treatment control group (p < 0.01). The authors' studies of the underlying psychological mechanisms of KPT have indicated that ketamine-assisted psychedelic therapy of alcoholic patients induces a harmonization of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) personality profile, positive transformation of nonverbalized (mostly unconscious) self-concept and emotional attitudes to various aspects of self and other people, positive changes in life values and purposes, important insights into the meaning of life and an increase in the level of spiritual development. Most importantly, these psychological changes were shown to favor a sober lifestyle. The data from biochemical investigations showed that pharmacological action of KPT affects both monoaminergic and opioidergic neurotransmitter metabolism, i.e., those neurochemical systems which are involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol dependence. The data from EEG computer-assisted analysis demonstrated that ketamine increases theta activity in cerebrocortical regions of alcoholic patients. This is evidence of the reinforcement of limbic cortex interaction during KPT session.