Ketamine-assisted therapy

Ketamine-assisted therapy involves using low doses of ketamine alongside traditional psychotherapy to treat various mental health conditions, offering a new avenue for those who do not respond well to conventional treatments.

Indexed studies have found that ketamine-assisted therapy can be effective in treating conditions such as depression and disordered eating. A systematic review indicates that it may enhance the effects of electroconvulsive therapy in major depressive episodes. Additionally, research suggests that combining ketamine with other therapeutic approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for PTSD can lead to synergistic benefits.

This therapy often connects closely with treatments for depression and PTSD, as well as with the broader category of psychotherapies. The use of ketamine in these contexts also ties it to discussions around psychedelic therapies more generally.

While promising, evidence from clinical trials is still emerging, and further research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects and optimal application scenarios.

Sources

• A novel framework for ketamine-assisted couple therapy. (PMID:39193577)
• Ketamine-assisted therapy within a community of practice: a novel approach to disordered eating. (PMID:40666610)
• Efficacy and safety of ketamine-assisted electroconvulsive therapy in major depressive episode: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. (PMID:38123725)
• Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy. (PMID:30917760)
• Recurrent Serotonin Syndrome After Ketamine-assisted Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. (PMID:38819248)
• Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ for PTSD: investigating the synergistic effects of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. (PMID:41186022)

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