How Ketamine Can Help With Depression
Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that is often known for its ability to induce a trance-like high, but how might ketamine work as an antidepressant?
Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects
Research tells us that ketamine can induce a rapid antidepressant-like effect that has even been shown to be successful in patients with depressive disorders that are resistant to typical treatments. These antidepressant-like effects can last up to 12 days and initial results are typically seen within hours of ketamine delivery.
One study investigated the effects of ketamine on depression when combined with DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid with antidepressant potential. The rats in the study had depression-like behavior induced through lipopolysaccharide and then had their behavior tested for depressive symptoms. The results showed that the combination of ketamine and DHA significantly reversed the depressive symptoms of the rats and even demonstrated its ability to repair nerve damage.
Ketamine In Combination With Traditional Depression Treatments
One case study also looked into the antidepressant-like effects of ketamine, focusing on a cancer patient with a history of suicidal ideation. Antidepressants typically used to treat depression tend to take weeks to show effects and one of ketamine’s main drawcards is its potential to induce a fast antidepressant effect. Due to this, the patient in the case study was treated with a single dose of ketamine at 0.5mg/kg and was then started on sertraline, an antidepressant. The results showed that the patient’s depressive symptoms reduced by 17% on the first day, 39% by the 3rd day, and 72% by the 17th day. This success highlights ketamines potential as a rapid depressive treatment that works well alongside traditional antidepressants.
How Does Ketamine Work?
Ketamine is thought to induce its effects through its antagonism of the glutamate receptor N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). NMDA receptors are thought to play a key role in negative effects on cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and the ability of the brain to adapt, although the exact action the NMDA activation takes on depressive symptoms is unknown. We do know that when activated, the glutamate receptor increases calcium levels in excitatory neurotransmission systems. By blocking the NMDA receptor, it is thought that ketamine then drastically reduces the possible depressive symptoms of NMDA activation.
Ketamine Side Effects
While the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine are promising, there are some risks involved with ketamine treatment. Ketamine treatment for mental health issues is an off-label use and so needs to be treated carefully. While some people demonstrate only mild and well-tolerated side effects, there have been some instances of dissociation and psychosis. Ketamine may even induce neurotoxic effects.
What is most concerning is the abuse risk of ketamine, as it is thought to potentially harm patients thanks to its addictive properties. Loss of memory has also been associated with chronic ketamine use, a symptom that is similar to abusers of PCP. Highlighting this risk for abuse is a 2014 survey which showed that 1.4% of 12th-graders had reported using ketamine as a party drug.