Study after study seems to confirm the effectiveness of ketamine at treating people suffering from clinical depression.

‘Proof’ that ketamine may be utilised in the treatment of depression dates back to a report published in 2006 by the National Institutes of Health.

This report concluded that clients treated with ketamine “showed significant improvement in depression” compared to a control group that was given a placebo.

The study reported a “robust and rapid antidepressant effects resulted from a single intravenous dose [of ketamine].”

The report claims depression was eradicated for around two weeks following an intravenous dose of ketamine.

Now it seems only a matter of time until ketamine is prescribed to clients suffering from severe depression as experts describe the drug as the ‘next big thing in psychiatry’.

Ketamine is better known as a ‘horse tranquiliser’ thanks to the drugs potent aesthetic properties.

Ketamine is also utilised as a painkiller.

However, in recent years ketamine has been abused by drug users, particularly as a social drug or to manage a heroin ‘come down’. This abuse has stigmatised ketamine’s reputation, particularly amongst the general public and law enforcement agencies.

Taken in sufficient quantities, ketamine can cause hallucinations. Ketamine is said to ‘alter a person’s perception of space and time’. This ‘high’ associated with ketamine use is often referred to as the ‘K-hole’ by drug users.

Ketamine has also been linked to hundreds of deaths over the last decade, since the drug affects users’ heartbeat and blood pressure.

Ketamine use is also capable of destroying users’ bladder. Some unfortunate ketamine users have required surgical bladder removal, leaving these people incontinent for the rest of their lives.

The ill effects of ketamine use and associated stigma has meant the authorities have resisted moves to legalise the drug for medicinal uses.

This is despite a whole host of esteemed universities supporting the use of ketamine for the treatment of severe depression. These universities include Yale, the Mayo Clinic and the University of California.

Furthermore, the American Psychiatry Association is widely believed to support an upcoming notion that would see ketamine legalised for medicinal purposes.

Early clinical trials indicate ketamine yields around a 60 per cent success rate at treating people who suffer from severe depression, include clients who have self-harmed or attempted to commit suicide.

Ocean Recovery Centre offers ketamine rehabilitation services at its rehab clinics in Blackpool, Lancashire and Watford, Hertfordshire.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: January 14, 2022

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.