Regarding the Transpersonal Nature of Ketamine Therapy: An Approach to the Work
Jeffrey Becker
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies July 1, 2014 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2014.33.2.151 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key points | Argues that ketamine treatment can facilitate psychological insight and symptom resolution in psychiatric disorders and that psychotherapeutic support should be considered fundamental. The author reports repeatedly observing rapid realignment of self-perception away from shame, fear, and dread toward authentic self-acceptance and gratitude, and proposes that therapists incorporate Jungian and Transpersonal Psychology concepts such as the Psychic Life Cycle, Restitution of the ego-Self Axis, and the Encounter with the Self. |
Abstract
Recent evidence has shown that ketamine treatment can facilitate psychological insight and symptom resolution in various psychiatric disorders.To aid this process, psychotherapeutic support should be considered a fundamental aspect of treatment.The psychedelic experience produced by ketamine can be a deeply meaningful source of enduring change and personal growth.The author has repeatedly observed a rapid realignment of self-perception away from shame, fear, and dread toward authentic self-acceptance and gratitude, offering patients opportunity for insight and the consideration of new potentialities.The experience produced by ketamine is similar in quality to transpersonal experiences described by Jung and induced by various religious practices and near-death experiences.As such, therapists working with these patients may wish to understand and incorporate the concepts of the Psychic Life Cycle, Restitution of the ego-Self Axis, and the Encounter with the Self described within Jungian and Transpersonal Psychology.The author discusses broad themes and practical therapeutic considerations regarding the transpersonal themes identified while overseeing this treatment process.Case studies are provided for illustration.
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 6
- 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
- A novel framework for ketamine-assisted couple therapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024
- Ketamine Integration Chaplaincy: A Novel Spiritual Care Approach to Psychedelic Integration Anthropology of Consciousness September 1, 2025
- “Angry at the Wrong Thing:” Queering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for Clients Experiencing Body Image and Eating Distress Studies in Clinical Social Work Transforming Practice Education and Research June 26, 2024
- Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature Journal of Pain Research June 1, 2022
and 1 more in the library
Cites 9
- Do the dissociative side effects of ketamine mediate its antidepressant effects? Journal of Affective Disorders February 18, 2014
- Peak experiences and the afterglow phenomenon: When and how do therapeutic effects of hallucinogens depend on psychedelic experiences? Journal of Psychopharmacology February 9, 2015
- A Method of Conducting Therapeutic Sessions with MDMA Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 1, 1998
- Set, Setting, and Matrix Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 1997
- Do Drugs Have Religious Import? The Journal of Philosophy October 1, 1964
and 4 more in the library