A New York clinic administers ketamine via intravenous drip
Victor Llorente/The New York Times/Redux/eyevine
Last year, amid intense media coverage, Prince Harry wrote candidly in his memoir free Ketamine was given to help him cope with his mother’s death. He’s not the only one talking about the substance, which has previously been mostly known as horse tranquilizers and LSD. It’s hard to keep track of the many celebrities who have spoken openly about taking ketamine to improve their mental health.
In the US, hundreds of clinics have opened to offer intravenous infusions of the drug in therapeutic settings, a trend that has now spread to the UK as well. Pioneering companies concerned about their employees’ mental health are starting to offer the therapy as a benefit. One even floated the idea of setting up a ketamine clinic at the company’s headquarters. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are developing over-the-counter ketamine products, such as lozenges and topical creams. The drug has become the most commonly used psychedelic therapy.
That might sound like good news, given the growing evidence that ketamine can treat depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. However, its use in treating mental health disorders is still novel and many uncertainties remain. Illicit use is also increasing, possibly influenced by its popularity as a treatment.
All of which means it’s time to ask whether ketamine can actually alleviate mental health problems, how it works, and whether there are any risks associated with its newfound popularity. Psychiatrist……
