[Ketamine Augmented Psychotherapy (KAP) in mood disorder: User guide].
Hugo Bottemanne, A Baldacci, C Muller, A Boyreau, Anne Claret
L'Encephale June 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2021.08.011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine Augmented Psychotherapy |
| Topics | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Antidepressant Antidépresseur Augmented psychotherapy Belief updating Codage prédictif Croyance Dissociation Ketamine assisted psychotherapy Kétamine Predictive coding Psychedelic Psychothérapie augmentée Psychédélique |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key points | Proposes a four-step protocol for combining ketamine with psychotherapy to treat mood disorders. |
Abstract
Ketamine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, is used as a fast-acting antidepressant therapy in depressive disorders. This treatment provokes dissociative effects associating derealization and depersonalization, and a synaptogenic signaling cascade promoting brain plasticity. Despite several preliminary studies suggesting the usefulness of its combination with psychotherapy, administration of ketamine isn't generally combined with per- and post-infusion psychotherapy protocols in its clinical antidepressant use. However, the phenomenology of psychodysleptic experiences and the synaptogenic effect could potentiate cognitive and behavioral therapies (CBT). In this article, we purpose a practical protocol to Ketamine Augmented Psychotherapy (KAP) synthesizing contemporary data from the literature and our clinical experience. We detail proposals for clinical practice, and propose four important steps for the use of a psychodysleptic molecule for antidepressant purposes: preparation, administration, integration, and prolongation. Finally, we discuss the limits and prospects of this combination in the management of mood disorders.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs. | 2014 | Historical analysis | |
| A Dendrite-Focused Framework for Understanding the Actions of Ketamine and Psychedelics | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Neuroscience and the Near-Death Experience: Roles for the NMSA-PCP receptor, the sigma receptor and the endopsychosins | 1990 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| A unified model of ketamine's dissociative and psychedelic properties. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| An Integrative Approach to Ketamine Therapy May Enhance Multiple Dimensions of Efficacy: Improving Therapeutic Outcomes With Treatment Resistant Depression. | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Toward Synergies of Ketamine and Psychotherapy Frontiers in Psychology March 25, 2022
- Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Esketamine in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression and Comorbid Chronic Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Open-Label Single-Arm Pilot Study Frontiers in Psychiatry July 8, 2022
- Distinct Roles of Therapeutic Expectations and Dissociative Symptoms in Antidepressant Response During Ketamine Treatment in Routine Care medRxiv Preprint Server April 23, 2026
Cites 56
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- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
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- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
and 51 more in the library