Ketamine assisted therapy is a form of psychedelic therapy that involves the administration of ketamine, which is currently the only legally available medicine for this purpose in the USA. While MDMA and Psilocybin are currently undergoing trials for FDA approval, ketamine has been found to be an effective alternative treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.
Ketamine is primarily used as an anesthetic but has recently gained attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. It is classified as a dissociative anesthetic, meaning it can induce sedation and detachment from reality at high doses. However, in ketamine assisted therapy, much lower doses are used to facilitate a non-ordinary state of consciousness that allows for exploration of one’s psyche.
Originally developed as an alternative to PCP, ketamine proved to be a safer option with fewer side effects. Today, it is widely used in hospitals and clinics for conscious sedation in both adult and pediatric patients.
In recent years, ketamine has shown rapid and significant antidepressant effects, particularly in individuals who have not responded to traditional antidepressant medications.
Interestingly, scientists have discovered naturally occurring ketamine in certain fungi. This has led to debates about whether ketamine can be considered a form of plant medicine.
