Ketamine repairs reward circuitry to reverse stress-induced anhedonia
New research shows a single low, non-anesthetic dose of ketamine revived pleasure seeking in chronically stressed mice by restoring weakened excitatory synapses onto nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 neurons, pinpointing a circuit mechanism for the drug’s rapid antidepressant effect.
Ketamine’s antidepressant effects appear unrelated to stress hormones, study finds
New research suggests that hormones linked to the body’s stress response do not influence how people with treatment-resistant depression respond to ketamine. However, lower hormone levels were associated with longer depressive episodes, pointing to possible biomarkers for depression duration.
Unexpected results from a ketamine study might reshape depression research
A new study suggests chronic opioid use may interfere with the brain’s natural ability to respond to placebo antidepressants. Surprisingly, ketamine’s antidepressant effects remained intact—raising intriguing questions about how drugs, expectations, and mood-regulating systems interact.
Ketamine shows promise for treatment-resistant PTSD in psychedelic-style therapy settings
Ketamine therapy, when combined with psychedelic-inspired support, shows strong potential for reducing PTSD symptoms in those who haven’t responded to conventional treatments, new research suggests.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy helps rage-filled man overcome antisocial traits and severe alcoholism
A 44-year-old man with alcoholism, depression, and antisocial personality traits underwent three years of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, resulting in reduced alcohol use, depression, and violent thoughts.
Ketamine shows promise for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder in new study
A small, preliminary study suggests that a single intramuscular ketamine injection may rapidly ease symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Breakthrough study shows how ketamine may ease dyskinesia in Parkinson’s patients
A study found that levodopa-induced dyskinesia disconnects the motor cortex from movement control, allowing abnormal movements. Ketamine reduced these movements, restored some brain control, and altered neural interactions, showing promise as a potential treatment.
Experiences of awe may drive ketamine’s antidepressant benefits
Ketamine infusion induces feelings of awe, which may mediate its antidepressant effects. Stronger awe experiences were linked to greater, longer-lasting depression symptom improvements, independent of dissociative symptoms
Ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects traced to overlooked brain cells
Researchers found that ketamine reduces "giving up" behavior in zebrafish by altering astrocyte activity, suggesting its antidepressant effects involve non-neuronal brain cells and promoting resilience against futility-induced passivity.
Ketamine study unearths surprising insights into PTSD, emotion regulation, and dissociation
A study found that ketamine, which causes dissociation, did not increase emotional suppression in PTSD patients. Instead, it decreased brain connectivity involved in emotion regulation.
Neuroscience research sheds light on ketamine’s strange effect on our sense of touch
Researchers found that ketamine blurs the brain’s ability to distinguish between self- and other-produced touch, particularly in a brain area involved in social processing.
Large-scale study links ketamine to lower risk of suicidal ideation in depression patients
Ketamine was linked to a sustained reduction in suicidal ideation in depressed patients, with effects lasting up to 270 days, according to new research using electronic health records.
Is the “trip” crucial for psychedelic therapy’s effectiveness? New research sheds light on its role in healing
A new study suggests that the subjective experiences of psychedelics like ketamine and psilocybin modestly contribute to their therapeutic effects, particularly for depression and substance use disorder.
Neuroscientists just discovered a weird effect of ketamine on the brain
Researchers found that ketamine increases redundant brain activity, especially in the alpha frequency band, leading to dissociative experiences. Portable EEG devices effectively tracked these changes, offering insights into how ketamine alters brain function during rest and tasks.
Listening to music could enhance some aspects of ketamine therapy for depression
New research explores how music could influence patient experiences during intranasal ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression, potentially opening doors to more effective and comfortable treatment protocols.
