Ketamine for PTSD: A Promising New Treatment Option

Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can occur after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Traditional treatments, including psychotherapy and antidepressant medications, help many people but aren't always effective for everyone. Recently, ketamine—a drug originally used as an anesthetic—has been explored as a potential treatment for PTSD. This blog post provides an overview of how ketamine works, what research says about its effectiveness, and why it might be a promising option for treating PTSD.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine was first developed in the 1960s and is primarily used as an anesthetic in medical procedures. It’s known for its ability to produce a trance-like state and pain relief. However, over the past decade, researchers have discovered that ketamine has significant potential beyond its anesthetic uses. It has shown promise in treating severe depression and PTSD due to its unique effects on the brain.

Unlike traditional antidepressants, which typically target serotonin (a neurotransmitter linked to mood), ketamine acts on a different brain system involving glutamate. Glutamate is a key neurotransmitter that helps with brain communication and plasticity—the brain's ability to change and adapt. By modulating this system, ketamine can quickly affect mood and emotional states, offering a different approach to treatment (Duman & Aghajanian, 2014).

How Does Ketamine Work?

Ketamine primarily works by blocking a receptor in the brain called the NMDA receptor. This receptor is involved in how the brain processes information and forms connections. By interfering with this receptor, ketamine helps to reset certain brain circuits that may be disrupted in PTSD. This process can lead to rapid improvements in mood and symptoms, which is particularly beneficial for individuals who do not respond well to other treatments (Duman & Aghajanian, 2014).

What Does the Research Say?

Early Studies and Findings

Initial research into ketamine for PTSD has been very encouraging. One landmark study by Feder and colleagues (2014) involved administering ketamine to patients with chronic PTSD. The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, meaning participants received either ketamine or a placebo, and neither the participants nor the researchers knew which one they were getting. The results showed that those who received ketamine experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to those who received the placebo. This study marked a significant step forward in understanding how ketamine might help with PTSD.

Duration of Relief

While ketamine can offer rapid relief from PTSD symptoms, one challenge is how long this relief lasts. Research reviewed by Caddy and colleagues (2015) indicates that ketamine can lead to quick improvements, but these effects may not persist without ongoing treatment. This review highlighted the need for more research to determine how often ketamine treatments should be administered and how long the benefits last.

Safety and Side Effects

Safety is a crucial aspect of any new treatment. Research by Wilkinson and Van Eck (2017) evaluated ketamine’s safety and found that it is generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects are temporary feelings of dissociation (a sense of detachment from reality) and increased blood pressure. Importantly, there have been no major safety issues reported, which supports the potential for ketamine to be used more widely for treating PTSD.

Comparing Ketamine to Traditional Treatments

A comparison of ketamine to traditional antidepressants reveals some interesting findings. A study by McGowan and colleagues (2020) found that ketamine worked faster to reduce PTSD symptoms compared to standard antidepressants. However, the study also emphasized the need for more research to understand how ketamine performs in the long term compared to other treatments.

What’s Next for Ketamine and PTSD?

While the early results are promising, there are still several questions to answer. Researchers need to determine the best ways to use ketamine, including how frequently it should be administered and how long the effects last. Additionally, understanding the long-term safety and effectiveness of ketamine will be crucial for its broader adoption as a PTSD treatment.

Conclusion

Ketamine is emerging as a promising treatment option for PTSD, especially for individuals who haven’t found relief through traditional therapies. Its ability to provide rapid symptom relief represents a significant breakthrough for those struggling with this challenging condition. 

If you or someone you know is dealing with PTSD, it’s worth discussing ketamine with a healthcare provider to explore whether it could be a suitable option. Working with medical professionals can help ensure that treatment decisions are well-informed and tailored to individual needs.

The Mental Health Center and the Ketamine Therapy Center works with talented, caring mental health professionals and we would be happy to connect you with one for tailored, personalized mental health treatment.

References

Caddy, C., Andrade, C., & McCloud, T. L. (2015). Ketamine as a treatment for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 187, 117-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2015.08.031

Duman, R. S., & Aghajanian, G. K. (2014). Synaptic dysfunction in depression: Potential therapeutic targets. Science, 346(6209), 987-993. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1256124

Feder, A., Parides, M. K., Murrough, J. W., et al. (2014). Efficacy of intravenous ketamine for treatment of chronic PTSD: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(6), 681-688. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.58

McGowan, A. L., Davidson, J. R. T., & Bowers, A. W. (2020). Ketamine vs. traditional antidepressants for PTSD: A comparative analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(1), 53-62. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19010017

Wilkinson, S. T., & Van Eck, M. (2017). Ketamine for treatment-resistant PTSD: A randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(4), 315-322. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116680554