Ketamine for Depression: A Mixed-Methods Study
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies July 1, 2014 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2014.33.2.75 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a mixed-methods study emulating the protocol of prior research on ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, eight experienced ketamine users received an IV dose of 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes. Quantitative measures were generally insignificant, as participants were not a depressed population; blood pressure increased by 20–30 mm systolic and 6–20 mm diastolic, then fell rapidly within 20 minutes after infusion. Qualitative reports described relaxation, pleasant sensation, decreased cognitive function, and some disabling of ordinary capacities.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Mixed-methods study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Experienced ketamine users |
| Dose | 0.5 mg/kg |
| Duration | 40-minute infusion, with blood pressure monitored up to 20 minutes after completion |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Dissociative Dose Anesthesia Population |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | Experienced ketamine users reported trivial effects and skepticism about antidepressant properties at a 0.5 mg/kg IV dose, recommending higher-dose transformative work in a psychotherapeutic setting. |
Abstract
Prior studies have reported variously on the presence or absence of dissociative effects at subanesthtetic doses of ketamine administered for treatment-resistant depression. This mixedmethods study emulated the protocol used for the studies in question, with IV administration of 0.5mg/kg over 40 minutes with eight experienced ketamine users. Quantitative measures were generally insignificant since this was not a population reporting depression; blood pressure increased as expected by 20-30mm systolic and 6-20mm diastolic, falling rapidly by 20 minutes after completion of the infusion. Individual qualitative reports reports of relaxation, pleasant sensation, decreased cognitive function, and some disabling of ordinary capacities. As experienced users, subjects commented freely on what was characterized as the triviality of the experience, and typically expressed skepticism that ketamine could have antidepressant properties when administered at this dose or in this manner, as well as disbelief that it could be beneficial except perhaps as a period of relaxation, or as a partial break from ordinary states of mind in nave subjects. Group discussion produced a consensus recommendation in favor of threshold-and higher-dosage transformative work beginning with a 40-50mg IM bolus, potentially in a series of sessions with higher dosages if indicated, with the number of sessions to be determined by clinical practice; such work should occur in a closely monitored psychotherapeutic setting.