What Is Ketamine and Is It Effective for Depression?

Ketamine, initially recognized for its potent anesthetic properties, has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for depression, which affects more than 21 million American adults.

To the everyday person, a depression diagnosis might seem straightforward: symptoms of a persistent sad mood, lack of energy and little enjoyment in pleasurable activities, all to be remedied by psychotherapy and a medication. However, it's not so simple.

Dr. Ryan Sultan, a teaching psychiatrist, research scientist and the director of mental health informatics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York, explains that depression is a complex condition with various subtypes, impacted by genetics and other underlying comorbidities.

Given the complexity of the diagnosis, any additional tool – such as ketamine – in the therapeutic arsenal is helpful. It might end up as the most successful treatment for an individual, finally alleviating their depressive symptoms.....more