Reflections on Psychiatry & Psychology

A large Cochrane review of 67 randomized trials (>2,300 patients) found no clear evidence that ketamine or other NMDA-receptor antagonists reduce chronic non-cancer pain. Evidence quality was rated low to very low, so current data do not reliably support ketamine as an effective pain treatment.

Ketamine and postpartum depression: A landmark BMJ study found that a single dose of esketamine after childbirth reduced postpartum depression by 75% in at-risk mothers. Learn what this means for prenatal depression treatment and maternal mental health.

Does naltrexone block ketamine’s antidepressant effects? Stanford research shows opioid receptor blockade dampens ketamine’s mood and antisuicidal benefits. Point Loma Clinic in San Diego explains what this means for your treatment plan.

Can clinicians predict who will respond to ketamine for depression? A UCSD Veterans Affairs study identifies key baseline symptoms that predict ketamine non-response, informing better treatment planning. Learn more from Point Loma Clinic in San Diego.

Discover how ketamine compares to traditional antidepressants for treating depression. Point Loma Clinic in San Diego shares real patient stories showing faster remission, fewer side effects, and lasting mood improvement with ketamine therapy.

Psychedelic psychiatry is moving from fringe research to mainstream clinical practice. An overview of psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine — including benefits, risks, and what the evidence supports.

If multiple antidepressants haven't worked for you, you're not alone and you're not out of options. Why Antidepressants Fail: Lessons from the STAR*D Study Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a complex challenge in mental health, characterized by patients' inadequate response to standard antidepressant therapies. The landmark STAR*D study, which extensively evaluated treatment strategies for depression, revealed that a significant percentage of individuals do not respond

OCD is often diagnosed late (6–10 years) due to varied symptoms and stigma. Depression frequently co-occurs and may obscure OCD. Standard treatment is ERP plus SSRIs; other medications may be added. Emerging evidence suggests ketamine may help treatment-resistant OCD.

The lateral habenula (LHb) stands out as a critical structure in understanding depression. This blog explores the LHb's role in the intricate landscape of neuroscience, its connection to depressive symptoms, and how ketamine therapy offers new hope by affecting this brain structure. The Lateral Habenula: A Critical Brain Structure The lateral habenula (LHb) is a small, symmetrical, paired nucleus located deep within the brain, nestled between the two thalamic bodies. It is in

The 2024 Oxford Ketamine Conference gathered global experts to discuss ketamine’s science and clinical use in mental health. Key themes included its rapid antidepressant effects, mechanisms of action, and improving treatment approaches, highlighting interdisciplinary collaboration and future research.

Introduction Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has shown promise in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. Its rapid-acting therapeutic effects have made it an appealing option in clinical settings under strict supervision. However, the trend towards take-home ketamine, facilitated through prescriptions for nasal sprays and oral lozenges, raises significant safety and efficacy concerns. This blog entry explores some of the reasons

Matthew Perry, celebrated for his iconic role on "Friends," tragically passed away on October 28, 2023, after being found unresponsive at the heated end of his swimming pool. His live-in personal assistant discovered him upon returning from errands. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, Perry was pronounced dead by emergency personnel at 4:17 p.m. Mr. Perry battled several health issues including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and had a history of

There are several exciting developments in the field of antidepressants, with various drugs currently in the pipeline. still in various stages of development. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate their safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects.

Dextromethorphan (DXM), found in cough meds, acts like mild ketamine. Combined with bupropion to slow its breakdown, it works quickly for depression. This combo was FDA-approved in 2022 as Auvelity.

Ketamine often brings strong relief from chronic depression—and for some, meaningful psychedelic experiences that feel uplifting and deeply personal.

Ketamine patients describe vivid, shifting “trip” themes. One saw recurring sand cliffs and morphing faces; another experienced stars, space, and calm out-of-body states. Trips varied but often developed consistent personal motifs over time.

Carla, 48, battled anxiety and panic since 16, relying on long-term meds without therapy. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy helped her confront childhood trauma, easing rigid thinking and accelerating recovery.

Joe was in his mid-fifties, an accomplished attorney who has been suffering from recurrent depression since his early adulthood. The depression was difficult to treat; many different medications have been tried, including mood stabilizers (medications for bipolar disorder), but those were prescribed such a long time ago that Joe had  a hard time remembering how he was feeling when they were prescribed. All he knew that for at least the last ten years he was only depressed, so

Ketamine’s antidepressant effects don’t require psychedelic “trips.” Some patients feel nothing during treatment yet still show typical mood improvement afterward.

In 2019, Elijah McClain died after EMTs injected him with 500 mg ketamine during a police arrest. The text argues ketamine is not a sedative but a dissociative anesthetic that inhibits GABA indirectly and can raise heart rate and blood pressure. In a stressful arrest, this may worsen agitation and cardiac strain. It concludes ketamine should not be used to “sedate” detainees.