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.

Suicide is the 10th leading US death. Predicting it is hard; only clozapine, lithium, and ketamine reduce risk. Genetics, stress, and access to means all contribute.

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.