Ketamine treatment

[911 Rod]

Does anyone have experience with this or know people that do?

(From the Toronto clinic's website)
Ketamine is a legal anesthetic. In breakthrough research, it was also found to provide fast-acting and potentially life-saving relief for many patients who have major depression resistant to treatment, or suicidal thoughts. Research is also showing promise for other mood disorders or chronic mental-health conditions that have not been helped by traditional treatments when administered off-label under clinical, controlled settings using dosages different from its use as an anesthetic. Ketamine is used illegally and in higher doses as a recreational drug, which can cause dissociation with hallucinations.

[Arizona_928]

VA pilot program used it for ptsd.

Currently used in cocktail to sedate during procedures, and vet use for the same.

I think other drugs would be better, but I'm not the dea/fda. Let me know when you hit the "K hole" haha

[MikeSid]

In the USA, Special K is a schedule III non-narcotic controlled substance. So it ain't "legal" here.

I can't imagine a place where it would be legal in small doses, knowing that larger doses need to be regulated. That doesn't make sense to me.

[pavulon]

We are an ECT center but administer ketamine for surgical purposes regularly. My neighbor has undergone both ketamine therapy and ECT for depression and seemed to be doing well when I last saw her.

What info are you looking for?

[javadog]

I have no idea what small doses do for mental health, but I can say that for those that read this thread, if you ever get offered ketamine as a sedation for a medical procedure, decline it in favor of just about anything else.

[1990C4S]

Ketamine is a controlled substance in Canada, it is 'legal' in the sense that any prescription drug is legal.

My guess is that you will not find many people who have used Ketamine in a controlled setting for the purpose listed. This is a new trial, proceed with caution.

[Gogar]

KETAMINE? Isn't that horse medicine?

Sorry couldn't resist

[flatbutt]

also one of the top date rape drugs

[911 Rod]

I ask because a relative is considering it to help with depression.

[1990C4S]

They will be part of a science experiment, a controlled science experiment, but an experiment none the less.

Not a topic I would offer an opinion on, other than do some research. Their need for treatment versus traditional alternatives might be the deciding factor

[911 Rod]

Alll of the traditional alternative option have been tried and they are not working.

[javadog]

In that case, it might be worth a shot.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Alll of the traditional alternative option have been tried and they are not working.

Like ****. What do you have to lose. Make the call and get treatment.

In my undergrad i knew kids that talked about doing it. They were very happy people and did the club scene next to campus. I've never done it recreational (outside of surgical procedures), so i can't really say. I've heard excellent reviews of microdosing of lsd. But short of dark web markets one would be sol

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Gogar

KETAMINE? Isn't that horse medicine?

Sorry couldn't resist

I guess that's where the term of "high as a horse" came from.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

They will be part of a science experiment, a controlled science experiment, but an experiment none the less.

Not a topic I would offer an opinion on, other than do some research. Their need for treatment versus traditional alternatives might be the deciding factor

Ok. Can certainly understand the concern. Were you looking to have a specific question addressed?

[stealthn]

That’s Kat right? Another of nature’s cure for stuff…

[911 Rod]

It’s legal here in Canada. Private clinics. Not cheap at $500 a session and they want you to do a few.

[Jeff Alton]

About 8 or so years ago my son broke both bones in his fore arm in a gross way..... To reset the bones be was given (with my consent) Ketamine as sedative (if that is the right word) they called in "conscious sedation" Anyways, it turns out it removes all filters. He was maybe 10 years old. The words coming out or my son's mouth were unreal. Maybe funny if wasn't your kid. My wife told the story on a radio contest about what our kids did over the summer to cause us anxiety. We won, got to go to dinner with the show hosts, picked up in a limo, extra cash etc.... But oh my, having watched his reactions, I then understood why it is called "special K"

Its bad stuff...

[PorscheGAL]

If someone is suffering and current treatments are not working, I see no reason not to try.

I don't know if this is available in Canada but I work for a company that developed an implant for treating depression. I don't work in the depression division and can't tell you much past how the procedure is performed but might be worth checking out. Symmetry

I'm wishing you and your family all the luck in finding something that works.

[Nickshu]

Ketamine is widely used in deep sedation for outpatient minor surgical procedures, particularly in dentistry, plastic surgery, eye surgery, etc. We use a ketamine/Propofol combo in an IV infusion pump for sedation. It is known to create hallucinations particularly in older patients. It's main benefit in addition to sedation is it stimulates respiration in sedation cases where you want to maintain the patient's natural airway (ie not use a breathing tube).

Not sure about it's use for depression.