Sub-anesthetic ketamine infusions produce mystical-type experiences that may help reduce cocaine use and craving. In a controlled trial with cocaine-dependent volunteers, ketamine caused greater mystical-type effects, dissociation, and near-death experiences than the active control midazolam. Only the mystical-type effects—measured by the Hood Mysticism Scale—mediated the reduction in cocaine use and craving over time. This suggests that developing ketamine-like medications that retain selective psychoactive properties, rather than eliminating all experiential effects, could be a promising direction for addiction treatment.
Dependence can develop at lower daily doses of THC than previously studied. In a 20-day residential study, 12 marijuana smokers received placebo, then 80 mg/day (20 mg four times daily) and 120 mg/day (30 mg four times daily) of oral THC. Both active doses increased ratings of "High," "Good Drug Effect," and "Willingness to Take Dose Again," and increased food intake by 35–45% while decreasing verbal interaction. Tolerance developed to subjective effects but not to effects on food intake or social behavior. Abstinence increased ratings of anxious, depressed, and irritable, reduced sleep quantity and quality, and decreased food intake by 20–30%. These changes suggest that alleviation of abstinence symptoms may contribute to maintaining daily marijuana use.