The History and Evolution of Ketamine as a Therapeutic Tool

Ketamine is a drug with psychedelic properties that was originally used as anesthesia, but its use for treatment-resistant depression has been studied for longer than you might think.

Early Uses of Ketamine

The early days of ketamine use began in the 1960s, when surgeons began seeking alternatives to phencyclidine (PCP) for anesthesia due to PCP’s concerning side-effects. Ketamine was created in 1962 and produced psychedelic effects in volunteer test subjects, who reported effects like a sensation of “floating in outer space” and immediate pain relief.

Ketamine also produced fewer side-effects than PCP, making it a safe option for surgical use. It became a standard anesthetic drug for well over a decade in the 1960s and 1970s, only decreasing in popularity after newer alternatives became available.

Using Ketamine for Depression

The discovery of ketamine as an effective treatment for depression happened earlier than you may realize. In 1973, a study was published showing how 100 people who received ketamine-assisted psychotherapy experienced marked improvements in their mental health. Unfortunately, the War on Drugs in the US meant that although we were aware of ketamine’s therapeutic potential for decades, it became difficult to study it.

Despite these difficulties, over 300 clinical trials have been performed examining ketamine’s use in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression (where at least two antidepressants have been tried without results). Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown tremendous potential in these cases and offers hope to hundreds of patients for whom more traditional treatment options have failed.

FDA & Health Canada Approve Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression

In the early 2000s, further research into ketamine’s therapeutic use progressed, and in 2019, ketamine was approved by the FDA and European Commission.

Although treatment-resistant depression is the most well-studied use for ketamine, there is emerging research demonstrating that it may also be effective for a variety of mental health diagnoses, ranging from anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

As early adopters of ketamine as a therapeutic tool, we’ll keep you updated as more research is completed, and as we continue to gain a clearer picture of ketamine’s effects, its therapeutic applications, and more. Improving the quality of life for our patients is always our first priority.

Begin Your Path to Mental Wellness at Caledon Clinic

We understand that you may have concerns about ketamine treatment, and that you may feel hopeless after other depression treatments haven’t produced the results you need to recover. Please know that there is hope for treatment-resistant depression, and you deserve the care of qualified, compassionate professionals who take your concerns seriously and create a treatment plan that works for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our team and discover if ketamine treatments are the right option for you.