A recent meta-analysis performed by C. Michael White and published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy suggests that ketamine, a medication predominantly used as an anesthetic and occasionally abused recreationally, may be a viable treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Six randomized controlled trials including 259 patients with moderate to severe PTSD were examined for this investigation.
In these experiments, anesthetic midazolam or saltwater were given to the remaining participants, while ketamine injections were given to half of the participants. After receiving a single ketamine injection, the results showed a noteworthy 25% reduction in PTSD symptoms that lasted for up to one week.
Nevertheless, a drop in symptom reduction to 12% was observed after repeated injections over a four-week period. There was a notable decrease in depression symptoms as well, albeit one that was more gradual.
PTSD is a serious disorder that affects over 13 million Americans each year. Patients with PTSD often feel anxiety, avoidance, nightmares, and flashbacks that are brought on by painful experiences.
It frequently takes weeks for the standard course of treatment, trauma-focused psychotherapy, to start working. Although an option, antidepressants also necessitate a significant waiting period.
Ketamine has the ability to act quickly, providing comfort practically instantly. This promptness becomes especially important for those with severe PTSD who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
However, there are still unanswered problems regarding the best dosage and cost-effectiveness and how often ketamine injections are necessary for long-term benefits.
Ketamine offers a promise bridge for fast symptom alleviation, but because of its abuse potential, care should be taken. Buying ketamine from unapproved vendors may result in dangerous substance substitution, outdated medication, or inaccurate dosage.
The research highlights the necessity for additional investigation to determine the optimal frequency of usage and minimize any possible hazards related to the administration of ketamine.
