Ketamine 'Could Offer Almost Instant Remedy For Severe Depression

WHAT IS KETAMINE?

• Ketamine belongs to a class of drugs called "dissociative anaesthetics," which separate perception from sensation. 

 
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF KETAMINE?

People usually remain seated or lying down during the experience.

(Ketamine is never injected into the vein).

Some people become nauseous after taking ketamine.

While low doses of Ketamine can increase heart-rate, at higher doses it depresses consciousness and breathing and is extremely dangerous to combine with downers like alcohol, Valium or GHB.

Ketamine can cause a tremendous psychological dependence. Ketamine is illegal and possession can result in long prison terms.

 
Doctors at Ben Taub General hospital in Houston, Texas, are testing the effect of ketamine on patients with a severe form of the condition.
Scientists at the Neuro Psychiatric Center attached to the Ben Taub General are giving trial patients one infusion of either ketamine or a normal sedative and comparing the results.

If the trial proves successful the researchers will then administer the drug three times a week to patients to test the long-term effects.
Ketamine can cause serious bladder problems and there are suggestions it could make some existing mental health problems worse and cause heart problems.