• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Depression / Tough to Treat Depression? Ketamine May do the Trick

Tough to Treat Depression? Ketamine May do the Trick

ketamine

Ketamine, once most famous as a “club” drug, can rapidly improve hard-to-treat depression and curb suicidal thoughts, a new review confirms.

In recent years, ketamine has emerged as something of a wonder drug for some people who do not get better with standard antidepressants.

For those patients, who may have tried multiple conventional medications, ketamine can quickly ease depression symptoms — even within a day. Experts say that speedy response is especially critical for people at risk of self-harm.

The new review, published recently in the British Journal of Psychiatry Open, pulls together all published research on ketamine as a treatment for psychiatric disorders. And it found that for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thoughts, the drug can have quick, “robust” effects — albeit short-lived.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

The New Face Of Depression: The “Strong” Black Woman

How does ketamine as a treatment for depression work?

“It is important to emphasize the drug doesn’t work for everyone,” senior researcher Celia Morgan, a professor at the University of Exeter in England says.

Nor is ketamine simple to take. It has to be given under medical supervision, Morgan notes, so doctors can watch for “dissociative” effects — or what lay people might call a “trip.”

The drug is not psychedelic, but typically triggers altered perceptions of reality, such as hallucinations, soon after it’s given. It can also cause a short-term spike in blood pressure, Morgan says.

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

So before anyone tries ketamine for depression, they have to get a full medical and psychiatric evaluation to make sure it is appropriate for them.

Ketamine was first approved in the United States decades ago as an anesthesia drug. Because of its mind-altering effects, it also came to be abused as a party drug, known by such nicknames as “special K.”

But researchers have long been aware of the drug’s potential, at low doses under well-controlled conditions, to treat psychiatric symptoms. Ketamine is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating depression. But doctors can and do prescribe it “off label” for that reason.

The FDA approved ketamine derivative

And in 2019, the FDA approved a ketamine derivative — called esketamine (Spravato) — for depression that has not

Continue Reading

The Latest In Depression

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at 50: Fitness, Suicide and One Of The Greatest Lessons He Learned

Handsome. Rich. Successful. Athletic. The list of adjectives goes on and on to describe one of Hollywood's biggest and bankable stars, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he got his read more about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at 50: Fitness, Suicide and One Of The Greatest Lessons He Learned
Michelle Williams

Black History of Health: Michelle Williams

Though Michelle Williams now has multiple albums to her name and was a member of the well-known group, ‘Destiny’s Child’, she had doubts for years that she’d be a successful singer. That doesn’t mean she didn’t have a prolific history read more about Black History of Health: Michelle Williams
depression

Day 1: Just Diagnosed with Depression

Depression is far more than just being sad and it’s estimated that 1 in 15 people will experience it. While depression may only last for a set period for some, it can be a chronic condition in others. In that read more about Day 1: Just Diagnosed with Depression
stress

Depression & Stress: Faking It Until You Make It Can Hurt In The Long Run

Fake it until you make it. How often have we received and heeded this advice when we are seriously stressed? It is hard to ignore since it almost always comes from the people who love us the most. Sometimes, we read more about Depression & Stress: Faking It Until You Make It Can Hurt In The Long Run
high functioning depression

Addressing The Silent Killer: High Functioning Depression & Suicidality

I’ve worked in the mental health field for about five years, and in those five years, I’ve worked in different treatment settings, with different populations, and had my fair share of treating and supporting people who suffer from depression and read more about Addressing The Silent Killer: High Functioning Depression & Suicidality
Peyronie's disease

Serena And Venus Williams’ Nephew Passes Away at 21

Serena and Venus Williams' nephew, Alphonse, has died by suicide at the age of 21. His mother, Sabrina Williams, shared the heartbreaking news with The Sun on Monday. She is the tennis stars' half-sister from Richard Williams' first marriage to Betty Johnson read more about Serena And Venus Williams’ Nephew Passes Away at 21

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: “Unresponsive, But Stable”Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: "Unresponsive, But Stable"
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.