Ketamine Has Major Effects on Depression

[Cort]

We're going to be looking at Ketamine's effects on pain in a blog. This meta-analysis finds ketamine infusions can quickly relieve the symptoms of severe depression as well.

• http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-04-ketamine-alleviate-depression.html

Significant reduction
The research looked at all of the data from 21 published studies where Ketamine had been trialled with people suffering from depression. It found that depression was significantly reduced within four hours by a single administration of the drug. The findings represent a possible new avenue for treatment and, because of its immediate impact, it could be especially significant for treating people who are suicidal.
Immediate results
Dr. Keith Laws, Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology in the School of Life and Medical Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire, said:
"The prospect of using Ketamine as an anti-depressant is a fascinating one, particularly in terms of its potential for rapidly alleviating depressive symptoms in individuals who haven't responded to more traditional treatments. While conventional antidepressants and psychotherapy may take weeks or months to produce any effect, ketamine infusions produce benefits within hours."