Talking Ketamine Podcast

Discover the fascinating world of Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT) and its promise for depression. We dive deep into "set and setting" – how your mindset and environment can profoundly transform the healing journey – all from the vital perspective of those who've experienced it. Explore what truly makes for the best possible KAT experience. Read the full study: Stockwell, G., Hoeh, N. R., Fogarty,...

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research on a formidable clinical challenge: co-occurring major depressive disorder (MDD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). A new randomized clinical trial compared adjunctive ketamine and buprenorphine, revealing significant reductions in both anxiety symptoms and craving intensity for patients with these co-occurring conditions. The study found that ketami...

This episode tackles the profound challenge of treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a severe mental illness affecting 280 million people globally. While low-dose subanesthetic intravenous ketamine treatment has shown rapid improvement for TRD, its effects are often transient, lasting only days to weeks, and IV administration can be impractical and expensive for long-term use. We shift focus to a...

Explore a groundbreaking single case study from 2025 on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) for the notoriously challenging anorexia nervosa (AN). Discover how KAP, coupled with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), potentially creates a "neuroplastic window" for change in rigid thought patterns. The case study reveals marked symptom reduction in AN pathology, depression, and anxiety, alongsi...

Dive into the incredible, 60-year saga of ketamine! Our deep dive explores the fascinating journey of this molecule, originally known as CI-581, from its origins as an 'older sibling' to PCP (phencyclidine). Discover how it became the subject of the first-in-human study for a novel anesthetic. Learn about its unique status as the only "dissociative anesthetic", noted for rapid onset, short duratio...

Uncover a crucial, rarely discussed topic on the potential effects of ketamine on sexual health. We delve into a 2023 systematic review by Pominville et al., which included four studies. These limited findings, primarily from studies of illicit, heavy, long-term ketamine use, suggest a potential correlation with sexual dysfunction. This episode critically highlights a significant research gap rega...

Ketamine therapy is increasingly explored for mental health, but what about the potential risks? In this crucial episode, we delve into the landscape of ketamine use disorder, drawing on insights from a significant 2025 study based on the direct experiences of 274 individuals with KUD. Learn about the common physical warning signs reported by people with KUD, including prevalent bladder and nasal...

This episode dives into the real experiences and personal stories of individuals who have undergone ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT), exploring how this approach might differ from using ketamine alone. The discussion is based on a phenomenological study that conducted in-depth interviews with 10 people six or more months after they completed ketamine assisted psychotherapy (PAT/KAT/PAP). Participan...

Step inside a ketamine therapy session for depression, from the patient's point of view. In this episode of Talking Ketamine (episode 13), we look at the immediate personal experience, drawing on a qualitative study published in 2021. This study interviewed 13 people with treatment-resistant depression about what it was like during and right after their ketamine infusions. Participants described i...

We delve into the science behind how ketamine works for depression, particularly its rapid antidepressant effects via complex brain mechanisms. We explore research on its potential long-term benefits when used in a therapeutic setting, especially for treatment-resistant depression. A crucial distinction is made between therapeutic use and long-term heavy unsupervised use, which carries real risks....

Join us to explore a surprising link: Ketamine and lung cancer outcomes. Intraoperative Ketamine, used during surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), is linked to a lower rate of cancer recurrence. This is unexpected for an anesthetic. But here's the paradox: a study found that weeks after surgery, the Ketamine group had more circulating rare events (CRE) – tumor-associated cells/fragments...

Dive into episode 10 as we build upon our discussion of ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects from episode 9! This time, we explore a fascinating frontier: using automated tools and ketamine games to help those positive changes stick around longer. Discover how researchers are investigating interactive computer programs, like apps, to engage the brain's neuroplasticity and solidify the benefits...

This episode explores how to extend the rapid but short-lived benefits of ketamine treatment for depression. While ketamine can significantly improve mood within 24 hours, these effects often fade within one to two weeks. The focus is on a study investigating whether combining a single ketamine infusion with Automated Self-Association Training (ASAT), a computer-based training targeting self-worth...

This podcast episode provides a brief overview of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT), a therapeutic approach that integrates ketamine medication with psychological work to help individuals facing health challenges. Listeners can expect to learn about how KAT differs from regular talk therapy through the involvement of ketamine, which can induce altered perceptions and feelings. The episode outlines t...

Episode 7 of Talking Ketamine explores the groundbreaking potential of ketamine as a treatment for PTSD . This episode examines a recent study on how a single dose of ketamine, combined with trauma-focused therapy, affects individuals with chronic PTSD. Discover how ketamine may promote flexibility in brain pathways , potentially rewiring the brain's response to traumatic memories , and explore ho...

This podcast episode discusses ketamine therapy and the crucial role music plays in enhancing its effectiveness. The speakers explain the three phases of a ketamine session (pre-peak, peak, and post-peak) and how music with varying tempos and keys can support the emotional journey through each stage. They emphasize the importance of choosing music that matches the patient's intentions and preferen...

This podcast episode discusses a study investigating ketamine's effects on brain activity in individuals with depression. The study used EEGs to observe changes in brainwave patterns, including a shift towards faster waves and alterations in fractal patterns, potentially explaining ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects. Researchers also explored the correlation between dissociative experiences a...

This podcast episode discusses research on using ketamine to treat cocaine use disorder. The discussion highlights studies showing ketamine's potential to reduce cocaine cravings and improve brain function in both animal models and human trials, by affecting neurotransmitters like dopamine and brain regions associated with reward and negative emotions. While acknowledging the need for further rese...

Dive into the future of personalized mental healthcare! This episode explores a groundbreaking study on DMT published in Neuropsychopharmacology, revealing how self-guided dosing could revolutionize ketamine therapy. Discover how this approach, where participants adjusted their own dose, not only allowed them to reach deep psychedelic effects but also didn't increase negative side effects, hinting...

Jump in to ketamine and neuroplasticity, exploring how this unique substance can boost the brain's ability to change and adapt. Discover its potential to rewire connections for mental health healing, especially for conditions like depression and anxiety. This episode draws on insights from a key scientific review that explores these profound brain changes. The podcast is based on this research: Ag...

Step into a hidden, fascinating world on this deep dive! We explore a unique study from Italy focusing on functional ketamine users – individuals who regularly use the drug but have never sought addiction treatment. These aren't the stereotypes; they're students, professionals, and socially integrated individuals who have developed incredibly sophisticated, user-generated harm reduction strategies...