Currently, ketamine is the only legal psychedelic medicine available to mental health providers for the treatment of emotional suffering. It has come into psychiatric use as an intervention for treatment resistant depression (TDR)

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Lar
J. DORE ET AL.

The New Wave of Psychedelic Renaissance

Ketamine originated as an anesthetic drug in the late 1960s. Ketamine acts as an NMDA receptors antagonist (Glutamate receptor) which plays a role on transmission of learning, memory and pain signaling. By blocking these receptors in the brain & spinal cord, Ketamine leads to a dissociative anesthesia where the individual feels disconnected from the environment and pain.

The effects of ketamine extend beyond immediate NMDA blockade involving other systems & pathways causing:

Neuroplasticity & Synaptogenesis

Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF): crucial for neuronal growth

Neurotransmitter Modulation

Metabolites: activating AMPA

 Ketamine  is currently FDA (Schedule III) approved for psychiatric use & can be administered via: Intravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM), SubLingual (SL), Intranasal (IN) and Oral delivery (micro-dosing). Each form has its own bioavailability and time of absorption. Ketamine has proved to be safe over several decades when used correctly. In the last decade is has been shown to be more  effective when is administered under psychiatric/therapist supervision & medical clearance. 

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