Introduction

Ketamine is revolutionized the treatment of severe depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to work, ketamine can lift a suicidal mood in hours. Brain scans show it works by 're-growing' the synaptic connections that depression had pruned away.

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Rapid Re-wiring

Ketamine triggers the release of glutamate, which in turn stimulates the growth of new dendritic spines on neurons. This increases the brain's 'signaling bandwidth,' allowing the patient to break out of rigid, negative thought patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ketamine therapy safe?

When administered in a clinical setting, it is safe, but it requires medical supervision due to its dissociative effects.

📚 References & Further Reading

All claims are based on peer-reviewed research. Sources are publicly accessible.

  • Eisenberger NI et al. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science, 302(5643), 290–292. [View Source]
  • MacDonald G & Leary MR. (2005). Why does social exclusion hurt? Psychological Bulletin, 131(2), 202–223. [View Source]
  • DeWall CN & Baumeister RF. (2006). Alone but feeling no pain. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(1), 1–15. [View Source]