How Do People Who Undergo Ketamine Treatment for a Psychiatric Problem Subjectively Experience This Intervention? A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.
Melanie Trimmel, Antonia Renner, Alexander Kaltenboeck
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing February 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1111/inm.13425 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and thematic meta-synthesis Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | People who received ketamine treatment for a psychiatric problem |
| Intervention | Ketamine treatment |
| Topics | Ketamine Psychedelic-assisted therapy Esketamine |
| Keywords | First‐person perspective Lived experience Meta‐synthesis Qualitative research Subjective experience Consciousness research Patient experience Qualitative analysis Mental health treatment |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | The subjective experience of ketamine treatment for psychiatric problems can be understood as a three-stage journey involving pre-treatment expectations, acute multifaceted psychotropic effects, and post-treatment evaluation of clinical benefits. |
Abstract
Ketamine treatment has shown promising effects for different mental disorders. Yet, little is known on how people who receive ketamine for a psychiatric problem subjectively experience undergoing this intervention. We conducted a systematic literature search to identify relevant qualitative research on the first-person experience of undergoing ketamine treatment in a psychiatric context. 24 eligible studies were identified and analysed using a thematic meta-synthesis approach. Three main themes were identified. First, 'The Ketamine treatment experience can be understood as a three-stage journey with unique clinical features at each stage'. Second, 'The subjective experience of acute ketamine treatment is multifaceted and complex'. Third, 'Ketamine treatment can have different positive effects-but what happens if it does not work?'. In summary, the subjective experience of receiving ketamine treatment for a psychiatric problem can be understood as a journey whereby patients move towards, then undergo, and eventually depart from ketamine. Before treatment, the experiential focus lies on expectations, hopes, and feelings towards the drug. During treatment, the drug's multifaceted psychotropic effects and how they are emotionally appraised become central to experience. Once treatment is finished, the focus is on the presence or absence of clinically relevant effects. The conceptual framework we propose can guide further qualitative research on this topic and aid mental health professionals to better understand the experience of patients who undergo ketamine treatment for a psychiatric problem.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Interdisciplinary, Delphi-driven consensus guidelines on the use of intravenous ketamine infusions for depressive disorders from the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP3). Journal of Affective Disorders May 16, 2026
- Patients’ Voices on Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Narrative Review of Qualitative Perspectives Journal of Clinical Medicine December 25, 2025
- Esketamine and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Treatment-Resistant Depression: An Intervention-Development Framework and Treatment Manual Psychedelics October 1, 2026
- Ketamine-Induced Dissociation as an Ethical Signal, Not a Side Effect: Context as the Determinant of Clinical Duties Under Beneficence and Non-maleficence HEC Forum September 9, 2026
- Navigating ‘k-land’: a qualitative exploration of participants’ experiences of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder Frontiers in Psychiatry June 24, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 41
- The effect of a single dose of intravenous ketamine on suicidal ideation: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis American Journal of Psychiatry October 3, 2017
- Efficacy of Intravenous Ketamine for Treatment of Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder JAMA Psychiatry April 16, 2014
- Ketamine for suicidal ideation in adults with psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment trials Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry November 15, 2019
- Real-world effectiveness of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review & meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research May 1, 2022
- Mechanisms of Ketamine and its Metabolites as Antidepressants Biochemical Pharmacology December 1, 2021
and 36 more in the library