Regular ketamine use found to restructure the brain’s dopamine system

Researchers have mapped the whole brain of mice, revealing how regular ketamine use produces divergent changes in specific areas of the brain responsible for producing the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter, dopamine. The discovery could have significant imp… Continue reading Regular ketamine use found to restructure the brain’s dopamine system

Blind ketamine study yields surprising placebo effect

A new study into using ketamine to treat depression has yielded surprising results. Despite the unique way in which the researchers ensured the trial was ‘blind’, those who received a placebo had the same improvement in symptom severity as those admini… Continue reading Blind ketamine study yields surprising placebo effect

Ketamine offers hope for people with treatment-resistant depression

A new Australian study trialing the use of a low-cost variety of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression has shown promising results, opening the door to an effective, affordable treatment where other treatments have failed.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Ketamine offers hope for people with treatment-resistant depression

Double-action mechanism found that makes ketamine less addictive

Fast-acting psychotropic drug ketamine is increasingly used as an anesthetic, as well as to rapidly relieve depression. University of Geneva researchers have studied its effects on the dopamine system and a mechanism that may make it less addictive.Con… Continue reading Double-action mechanism found that makes ketamine less addictive

The problem at the heart of modern psychedelic clinical research

For around half a century the randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been considered the gold standard in evaluating the effectiveness of any new medical intervention. The process involves recruiting a group of participants with a certain condition and … Continue reading The problem at the heart of modern psychedelic clinical research

Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, rapidly relieves severe depression

A Phase 2 clinical trial has found a 60-minute treatment session with the gas nitrous oxide can deliver significant and rapid improvements in patients with treatment-resistant depression, and the research indicates these benefits can last for at least … Continue reading Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, rapidly relieves severe depression

Regular oral doses of ketamine significantly reduce suicidal thoughts

The notion of using ketamine as an anti-depressant is gathering steam on the back of enlightening research that has shown us how it can suppress the brain’s “anti-reward” center, mend broken neural circuits and interact with serotonin receptors to boos… Continue reading Regular oral doses of ketamine significantly reduce suicidal thoughts

Nitrous oxide being trialed to treat depression, PTSD and alcoholism

A newly published pilot study has demonstrated nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, may help military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A larger trial is now underway after several small studies in recent years ha… Continue reading Nitrous oxide being trialed to treat depression, PTSD and alcoholism

New discovery helps explain ketamine’s antidepressant qualities

Scientists from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new mechanism to help illustrate the rapid antidepressant qualities of ketamine. The large study imaged patients with treatment-resistant depression and found ketamine’s therapeutic effec… Continue reading New discovery helps explain ketamine’s antidepressant qualities

New discovery helps explain ketamine’s antidepressant qualities

Scientists from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new mechanism to help illustrate the rapid antidepressant qualities of ketamine. The large study imaged patients with treatment-resistant depression and found ketamine’s therapeutic effec… Continue reading New discovery helps explain ketamine’s antidepressant qualities