This could help many people.
Individuals who underwent intravenous ketamine treatments at three private ketamine infusion clinics experienced “significant improvement” in symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential of ketamine in addressing these mental health conditions.
Dr. Gerard Sanacora, a psychiatry professor at the Yale School of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of the study’s real-world data in demonstrating ketamine’s efficacy in a broader population. However, he notes critical gaps in the study, such as the absence of information on adverse effects and direct comparisons with alternative treatments, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions on its optimal use.
Ketamine, a potent medication primarily utilized as an anesthetic in hospitals, has also gained illegal use as a club drug, inducing intense highs and dissociative effects. As it lacks approval for depression treatment, its off-label use isn’t covered by insurance, even with a doctor’s recommendation.
The study examined data from 424 individuals with treatment-resistant depression treated between November 2017 and May 2021 at specialized ketamine infusion clinics in Virginia. Participants received six infusions within 21 days, and their physical and mental health were assessed through surveys during each visit.
Results indicated that within six weeks of treatment initiation, half of the participants responded positively, with 20% experiencing remission of depressive symptoms. After 10 infusions, response and remission rates increased to 72% and 38%, respectively. Six weeks into treatment, half of those with suicidal ideation achieved remission, accompanied by a 30% reduction in anxiety symptoms.
The study highlighted response rates comparable to oral medication and transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment-resistant depression, with remission rates aligning with transcranial stimulation. However, the research lacked a blind study with a control group, did not assess individuals declining infusions, and relied on self-reported surveys.
Despite the promising results, the study’s limitations, including the absence of adverse effects data, raise concerns. Sanacora emphasizes the importance of using ketamine responsibly, considering its unique risks, potential for abuse, and unknown long-term effects. While a nasal spray using esketamine received FDA approval in 2019, the study suggests that racemic ketamine infusions, a more cost-effective option, could lead to savings if covered by insurance.
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