Ketamine abuse can cause damage to the bile ducts and liver, a condition known as cholangiopathy. A systematic review of case reports found that affected patients are typically young men around 26 years old, presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Imaging often shows dilation of the common bile duct. Most patients improve with supportive care, but the condition requires a multidisciplinary management approach. The review highlights the need to consider ketamine abuse in young patients with unexplained biliary symptoms and abnormal liver function.
Psychedelic compounds such as LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, and ketamine show therapeutic potential for neurological and psychiatric disorders including depression, PTSD, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Their benefits arise from multiple mechanisms: anti-inflammatory effects (reducing cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α), antioxidant activity (inducing SOD), and enhancing neuroplasticity via increased BDNF expression. They also modulate serotonin and dopamine systems. Compared to conventional treatments, psychedelics offer faster onset, longer-lasting effects, and possible disease-modifying properties, making them promising candidates for future therapies.