Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications
Eli Kolp, Harris L. Friedman, Evgeny Krupitsky, Karl Jansen, Mark Sylvester, M. Scott Young, Anna Kolp
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies July 1, 2014 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2014.33.2.84 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Ketamine Esketamine Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Dissociative Psychotherapist Transpersonal Phenomenology philosophy Anxiolytic Analgesic Pharmacology Epistemology |
| Citations | 53 |
| Key findings | Ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy has multiple psychological and pharmacological properties that include analgesic, sedative, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and hallucinogenic effects, with potential for transpersonal healing and iatrogenic consequences from misuse. |
Abstract
Meant to be an authoritative guide for psychiatrists and others interested in understanding and applying ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy (KPP), this paper focuses on its pharmacology, phenomenology, and clinical applications. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely used by physicians and veterinarians in the United States. In addition to its anesthetic and dissociative properties, ketamine also has a multitude of other psychological and pharmacological properties, which include analgesic, sedative, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, stimulant, euphoriant, and hallucinogenic effects. The literature on the clinical application of KPP is comprehensively reviewed, practical advice for using KPP is given, and the pharmacology and phenomenology of ketamine-induced psychedelic experiences are explored, including in relationship to transpersonal healing and possible iatrogenic consequences of misuse of KPP.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement | |
| KETAMINE'S MECHANISM OF ACTION: A PATH TO RAPID‐ACTING ANTIDEPRESSANTS | 2016 | Review | |
| Eradicating Suicide at Its Roots: Preclinical Bases and Clinical Evidence of the Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Suicidal Behaviors | 2018 | Review | |
| Predictors of Response to Ketamine in Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Patients with treatment-resistant depressive symptoms as part of major depressive... | 2018 | Narrative review | |
| Ketamine as a Fast Acting Antidepressant: Current Knowledge and Open Questions | 2013 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 44
- Ketamine and Serotonergic Psychedelics: Common Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Rapid-Acting Antidepressants The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology November 16, 2020
- Integrating psychotherapy and psychopharmacology: psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and other combined treatments Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology June 1, 2020
- A unified model of ketamine's dissociative and psychedelic properties. Journal of Psychopharmacology December 17, 2022
- Toward Synergies of Ketamine and Psychotherapy Frontiers in Psychology March 25, 2022
- An Integrative Approach to Ketamine Therapy May Enhance Multiple Dimensions of Efficacy: Improving Therapeutic Outcomes With Treatment Resistant Depression. Frontiers in Psychiatry November 24, 2021
and 39 more in the library
Cites 66
- A Randomized Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2006
- Subanesthetic Effects of the Noncompetitive NMDA Antagonist, Ketamine, in Humans Archives of General Psychiatry March 1, 1994
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Synaptic Dysfunction in Depression: Potential Therapeutic Targets Science October 4, 2012
- The dissociative anaesthetics, ketamine and phencyclidine, selectively reduce excitation of central mammalian neurones by N‐methyl‐aspartate British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 1983
and 61 more in the library