Pete Davidson recently shared that he utilized ketamine to treat his depression, generating renewed interest in the once notorious party drug’s transformation into a mental health therapy. In 2019, the FDA approved ketamine in the form of an inhalable nasal spray for adults suffering from depression that is unresponsive to other medications. This marked a significant moment, as the drug’s reputation as a recreational substance and its classification as a controlled substance hindered clinical research for years.
Over the past decade, numerous studies and anecdotal reports have emerged, highlighting ketamine’s potential to alleviate depression symptoms in a short period of time, sometimes within an hour. Consequently, a surge in ketamine clinics across the country has emerged, offering intravenous infusions of a refined version of the drug in a comfortable setting under the supervision of psychiatrists. Esketamine, a nasal spray variation, has also gained FDA approval for treating treatment-resistant depression.
Before entering a mental health treatment facility, Pete Davidson revealed that he had been receiving ketamine treatments. He has been open about his ongoing battle with depression since losing his father, a firefighter who perished in the World Trade Center collapse when Pete was just seven years old. Despite struggling with constant depression, Pete has developed coping mechanisms to uplift himself, such as spending time outdoors and exposing himself to sunlight.
When administered under medical supervision, Spravato, the FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray, has proven to be safe and more potent than the recreational anesthetic version. Following the infusion, patients remain in the office for approximately two hours for observation until any potential side effects, such as vertigo or euphoria, subside.
The approval of ketamine in 2019 marked a significant breakthrough for psychiatry, a field that has long struggled to innovate and create effective treatments for severe depression due to limited research funding and the complex trial and error process. However, not everyone is eligible for ketamine treatment, as rigorous screening processes evaluate the individual’s psychiatric history to determine their suitability.
At clinics like Dr. Jeff Ditzell’s in New York, patients spend an hour in a treatment room, wearing sleeping masks and listening to theta brain waves known for inducing healing and creative states. Many patients report feeling a “stoned” sensation or even having out-of-body experiences during the session.
Unlike traditional treatments that focus on serotonin and neuropinephrine neurotransmitters, ketamine works differently by enhancing levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter essential for mood regulation, memory, and information processing. This unique approach has reignited research into controlled substances as viable medical interventions, leading to increased interest in ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms).
A recent study conducted at Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston demonstrated that ketamine infusions were as effective as the widely regarded electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating major depression. The study involved 403 participants with treatment-resistant depression, with half receiving ECT and the other half receiving ketamine infusions. Both treatments showed positive outcomes and improved quality of life. While ECT had several adverse effects, such as memory loss and muscle problems, ketamine recipients reported only one side effect – an out-of-body experience during treatment.
Research into the long-term effects of ketamine as a depression treatment is ongoing. Nevertheless, many individuals with depression have praised its efficacy. For instance, Niki from Canada, who battled treatment-resistant depression and seizures, found relief through ketamine therapy. Previously overwhelmed by a daily intake of 11 pills, Niki experienced a significant reduction in stress after undergoing ketamine treatment. Within a month of weekly sessions, she was able to return to work full-time and now manages her symptoms with just one maintenance dose every two months. Similar success stories have been reported at MindPeace Clinics in Virginia, where over 70% of patients experienced mood improvements, with 40% reporting complete remission after ten routine ketamine infusions.
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