"Ketamine, Notorious Club Drug, Shows Promise As A Treatment For Depression, Studies Indicate" — John Keilman
In recent years, numerous studies have found that ketamine can be an effective and speedy treatment for people with depression who have found little relief from traditional medications. Though some researchers have found that ketamine can be a valuable antidepressant, no one has performed the large-scale clinical trials necessary to get FDA approval to use it as psychiatric medication. Some warn that questions remain about ketamine’s long-term safety and effectiveness. James Murrough, assistant professor of psychiatry, neuroscience, and director of the mood and anxiety disorders program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said people who misuse the drug have developed cognitive problems, and high doses have proved toxic in rats. And because ketamine has a history of abuse, he said, doctors and patients must consider the threat of addiction. “We think the risk is low, but it’s probably not zero, particularly if it gets scaled up,” he said. “There’s excitement but also a justified caution.”
- James Murrough, MD, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Director, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai