In patients with advanced cancer and major depressive disorder, three flexible doses of intranasal ketamine (50–150 mg) over one week produced rapid antidepressant effects. By day 8, 70% of participants showed a response (depression scores reduced by more than half) and 45% achieved remission. Depression scores dropped from an average of 31 to 11, a decrease of 20 points. Some benefit persisted into the second week without further doses. Side effects were mostly mild and temporary, including fatigue, dissociation, nausea, altered taste, and headaches; one participant withdrew due to a negative dissociative episode. Larger controlled trials are warranted.
Oregon's 2020 legalization of psilocybin therapy for depression in terminal illnesses like advanced cancer has faced significant implementation challenges. This review synthesizes empirical data on psilocybin therapy for cancer-related depression, evaluating benefits and adverse effects. It examines therapeutic strategies, dosing regimens, and barriers to responsible, equitable access, including ethical protocols, healthcare integration, statewide availability, legal ambiguities, and clinical standards. Using Oregon as a case study, the review underscores the need to address regulatory, logistical, and ethical obstacles to establish rigorous and equitable psilocybin care models.
A topical combination of amitriptyline and ketamine at new concentrations appears to provide safe and effective relief from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This first clinical evaluation suggests the formulation is a promising symptomatic treatment, though larger randomized controlled trials and further study of transdermal delivery systems are needed to confirm the results and improve outcomes.
A single session of Conscious Connected Breathing (CCB) as part of a ten-session Integrative Breathwork Psychotherapy (IBP) program produced acute physiological changes in 48 breast cancer patients hospitalized for postoperative radiotherapy. During the session, blood gas analysis showed mild respiratory alkalosis: decreased pCO2, pO2, and increased pH. Prolactin levels increased significantly, while cortisol and immunoglobulin A (IgA) decreased. These shifts suggest CCB may have immunostimulatory and stress-modulatory effects, supporting its potential as a complementary therapy for cancer patients.