First approved by the FDA in 1970 for anesthesia during surgery, ketamine was later found to have rapid-acting antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. Ketamine targets different subsets of neurotransmitters in the brain than conventional SSRIs, so patients who haven’t found therapeutic effects with traditional antidepressants may have a better outcome with ketamine therapy.
Ketamine can produce a wide range of changes to conscious experience, including sensory changes and emotional changes. Ketamine alters levels of glutamate (a chemical messenger) in the brain, which can result in new neural connections. The brain becomes more adaptable and creates new pathways, giving patients the opportunity to develop more positive thoughts and feelings.