Intensive ketamine use for multiple years: A case report.
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A patient with bipolar I disorder and extensive substance dependence |
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Dose | 1-3 g daily |
| Duration | 5 years of daily use |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Keywords | Ketamine recovery Ketamine rehabilitation Ketamine healing Ketamine remission Ketamine treatment success Substance abuse recovery Addiction recovery Drug abuse rehabilitation Substance dependence healing Human resilience Body's resilience Recovery potential Biological resilience Physical resilience Long-term ketamine effects Chronic ketamine impact |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | A patient who used large daily doses of ketamine for five years reported acute antidepressant effects and reduced alcohol cravings, and experienced no withdrawal or cognitive deficits upon cessation. |
Abstract
Ketamine is known within the medical field for its anesthetic properties, yet its unique psychedelic and antidepressant properties are being increasingly recognized. We document the case of a patient with bipolar I disorder and an extensive history of substance dependence who used large doses of ketamine (1-3 g) on a daily basis over a period of 5 years, and described acute antidepressant effects as well as diminished cravings for alcohol. While his use was untenable and ultimately led to an inpatient admission, it is notable that he did not experience a withdrawal syndrome nor did he have any observable cognitive deficits upon cessation of use. Such a unique drug profile suggests that further exploration of its risks and therapeutic potential in treating mood and addiction disorders is warranted.