2025 Mar 14, 13:57
Ketamine therapy has garnered attention for its potential to treat depression, but there is still much to learn about its effectiveness and how it works. According to Professor Nutt, the therapeutic dose of ketamine is typically higher than what recreational users experiment with. On the street, ketamine is commonly sold as a white powder and snorted. Recreational users often start with low doses of ketamine, but their tolerance leads them to escalate the dosage over time. The medical dose, however, falls between the recreational beginner dose and that of an addict seeking intense trips
Professor Nutt emphasizes that the mindset and intentions of an individual receiving ketamine therapy play a crucial role in the treatment's success. The effects of ketamine on depression can be rapid, with some patients experiencing a difference within a few hours. In fact, one study found that 71% of depressed patients responded to a ketamine dose within 24 hours. However, there is still a significant proportion of treatment-resistant depression sufferers who do not respond to ketamine therapy. Understanding why ketamine works for some patients and not others, as well as the variability in response among patients, remains a topic of interest. Some patients respond quickly, while for others, it may take several weeks to notice a change
Determining the duration of treatment before concluding its ineffectiveness is an ongoing question, though Professor Young suggests a four-week, twice-weekly schedule before considering alternative options. Access to ketamine therapy in the UK is currently limited to specialized centers, forcing many patients to seek private treatment. The cost of a complete course of therapy at a London clinic can exceed £7,000, making it inaccessible to many. In contrast, the US Food and Drug Administration licensed a ketamine-related drug called Spravato for depression in 2019. While it is available on the NHS in Scotland, England's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is yet to approve its use. Professor Nutt expresses frustration with the lack of availability of ketamine therapy as a depression treatment in the UK, despite evidence supporting its efficacy
He believes these decisions are influenced by misconceptions about the drug's cost. Although ketamine therapy is more expensive than other medications like Prozac, it can still be a cost-effective alternative to hospitalization in psychiatric wards.