New research has suggested that sub-anaesthetic doses of ketamine could be beneficial for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, addiction and eating disorders.
Often used as an anaesthetic, research has shown ketamine is beneficial as a fast-acting anti-depressant. Recently, results from a randomised, controlled clinical trial, published in The British Medical Journal, also suggested that patients with suicidal ideation and bipolar disorder could also benefit from its rapid-acting effects.
Ketamine is also being researched as a helpful treatment for a number of different conditions such as gambling and alcohol addiction as well as anorexia nervosa.
Now, a new study from researchers at UBC Okanagan and the University of Exeter has found that the compound may well have benefits beyond its anti-depressant and anti-suicidal effects. The researchers say that ketamine could be “among the most significant developments in mental health treatment in decades.”
The findings serve as a foundation for researchers looking to design ketamine-related projects and offer valuable data for clinicians considering using ketamine with their patients.
Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the study analysed more than 150 studies on the effects sub-anaesthetic ketamine doses for the treatment of mental illness.
The study was led by psychology professor Dr Zach Walsh and doctoral student Joey Rootman at the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and was co-led by professor Celia Morgan and doctoral student Merve Mollaahmetoglu from the University of Exeter.
Rootman stated: “We found strong evidence that indicates ketamine provides rapid and robust anti-depressant and anti-suicidal effects, but the effects were relatively short-lived. However, repeated dosing appeared to have the potential to increase the duration of positive effects.”
The evidence suggests ketamine may be helpful in the treatment of other disorders such as eating disorders, problematic substance use, PTSD and anxiety. However, the researchers point out that the evidence in these areas is scarce.
“What our research provides is an up-to-date overview and synthesis of where the knowledge on ketamine is at right now,” continued Rootman.
“Our results signal that ketamine may indeed have a broader spectrum of potential applications in psychiatric treatment—and that tells us that more investigation is needed.”
Walsh commented: “As many as one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness this year, and the reality is that existing treatments don’t work for everyone. As a result, many Canadians are curious about new approaches to help with these serious conditions.”
The study results provide some information to the public who are looking for these new approaches, says Walsh, who acknowledges that research into other treatment areas is also just beginning, but finds the preliminary evidence encouraging.
Walk added: “We need a lot more information on how these interventions could work — for example, administering the drug is only a part of treatment. We need to figure out what amount and type of psychotherapy would best complement the drug intervention to really maximise potential benefits.
“With that being said, it is a truly exciting time for ketamine research. If it can deliver the relief that early evidence suggests it can, this could be among the most significant developments in mental health treatment in decades.”
[activecampaign form=52]
