A systematic review of dozens of research articles has found that ketamine therapy has rapid, short-term effects in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts, making it a viable alternative. promising mental health treatments.
The UK’s University of Exeter, in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, examined 33 systematic reviews, 29 randomized controlled trials and 21 observational studies.
In a paper published in the British Journal of Open Psychiatry, they found the strongest evidence yet for the use of ketamine to treat both major depression and bipolar depression, with symptoms rapidly decreasing. one to four hours after a treatment lasting up to two. weekly.
The review also found that one or more doses of ketamine significantly reduced suicidal ideation, from four hours after treatment and on. Effects last an average of three days and up to a week, according to one news release.
“Our study is the most comprehensive review of the growing evidence base for the therapeutic effects of ketamine to date. Our findings suggest that ketamine may be useful in rapidly reducing depression and suicidal thoughts, providing the opportunity for further treatment interventions to be effective,” said lead author Merve Mollaahmetoglu. in the announcement.
“It is important to note that this review examined the use of ketamine in carefully controlled clinical settings where any risks of ketamine can be safely managed.”
The review found early evidence for a potential benefit of ketamine therapy for other mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“Furthermore, for people with stimulant use disorders, ketamine treatment leads to short-term reductions in cravings, consumption, and withdrawal symptoms,” the statement read.
However, the researchers note that some of the studies on ketamine therapy for psychiatric disorders other than depression and suicidal thoughts were performed in small numbers and were not randomized. The review calls for such studies to be replicated in larger randomized placebo-controlled trials considered the gold standard in science.
But placebo trials with ketamine therapy come with their own set of obstacles.
“We’ve found that ketamine can have promising benefits for conditions that are notoriously difficult to treat in the clinic. We now need larger and better-designed trials to test these benefits,” said senior study author Celia Morgan in the release. “For example, because of the unique subjective effect of ketamine, participants could tell whether they had been given ketamine or a saline solution as a placebo, potentially creating an expectation of the drug’s effects.”
The researchers aim to continue studying ketamine therapy to determine the optimal dose, the best way to administer the drug, which settings are optimal for treatment, and how to optimize patient preparedness. for therapy.
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