Category: Insights

Ketamine was first synthesised in the 1960s and used as an anesthetic drug with dissociative properties. Nowadays, it’s used in medical purposes during Ketamine Therapy and for recreational use. The two uses are vastly different, and here is why.  How Ketamine Works Ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptors in the brain, causing a surge of glutamate. This action is responsible for better mood regulation, increased neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to form new connections), and reduction of negative thought patterns, co-occurring with various mental health disorders. People who use recreational ketamine claim it has euphoric effects with mild or intense hallucinogenic

Spravato for depression is an FDA-approved nasal spray treatment that offers fast-acting relief for adults struggling with treatment-resistant depression. It’s derived from ketamine and has similar rapid-acting antidepressant effects. In this article, we’ll explain what Spravato is, how it works in the brain, what makes it different from standard treatments and ketamine, and who it’s for. What Is Spravato? Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a molecule derived from ketamine. Esketamine is an enantiomer of ketamine, meaning it is one of the two mirror-image molecules that make up ketamine in its generic form.  Spravato is specifically used to treat

2024 showcased another impressive year for ketamine research, with 1,831 articles exploring its therapeutic potential. From its ability to alleviate treatment-resistant OCD to fostering empathy and social connection, ketamine continues to redefine mental health treatments. Notable breakthroughs include studies linking awe to improved depression outcomes and real-world evidence of ketamine’s effectiveness for PTSD when combined with psychotherapy. As the field evolves, 2025 promises further insights into ketamine’s role in mental health, pain management, and the integration of psychotherapy to optimize outcomes.

A Hypothetical Survival Scenario Ketamine is one of the most multifaceted and potent drugs available today. Its diverse applications, from pain relief to psychotherapeutic treatments, make it a remarkable asset in emergency and therapeutic settings. In 2023, an intriguing question was posed to a group of 20,000 Emergency Physicians on Facebook: “If you were stranded as the Medical Director with a group of a dozen random people on a desert island and had unlimited amounts of only one medication, what would it be?” The overwhelming choice was ketamine, garnering 57% of the vote. Doxycycline, a versatile broad-spectrum antibiotic, claimed second