220 ‒ Ketamine: Benefits, risks, and promising therapeutic potential | Celia Morgan, Ph.D.

A gaseous anesthetic included in the category of dissociative anesthetics alongside ketamine and PCP.

A common pain reliever mentioned as an example of a drug that can poison the liver at a certain dose, unlike LSD which has no LD50.

An entactogen/empathogen, not considered a psychedelic by the host, that works in different ways from ketamine and psilocybin. Classified as Schedule I in the US.

A psychedelic drug that works on the 5HT2A receptor. Similar to LSD, it can induce ego dissolution but also intense anxiety. Classified as Schedule I in the US.

A brand name for fluoxetine, an SSRI, used as an example of a traditional antidepressant with a delayed onset of action.

A benzodiazepine and sedative, used in clinical trials as a control or placebo comparator for ketamine given its sedative but not dissociative effects.

The Johnson & Johnson version of ketamine, administered intranasally and indicated for repeated, maintenance dosing in depression.

A ketamine analog, a research chemical, that has shown more bladder toxicity and potentially higher abuse potential compared to ketamine.

Traditional antidepressant drugs like Prozac, characterized by a delayed onset of action (typically two weeks) compared to ketamine's immediate effects.

A psychedelic drug that works on the 5HT2A receptor. Characterized by less cognitive impairment than ketamine but can induce intense anxiety. Has no known lethal dose but poses risks through behavioral alterations.

A dissociative anesthetic synthesized in the 1960s, initially as an anesthetic and analgesic, now gaining interest for its rapid antidepressant and anti-addiction effects, primarily working on the NMDA receptor. It has dose-dependent effects ranging from mild dissociation to complete anesthesia and hallucinations.

A dissociative anesthetic that ketamine was synthesized to replace, known for its protracted psychosis-like effects and high potential for harm, though its 'bulletproof' lore is debated.

The major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, prevalent across the brain and crucial for higher cognitive functions like learning and memory. Ketamine's actions modulate glutamate flow.

The brain's ability to form new connections and dendrites, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is increased by ketamine and correlated with antidepressant effects. This process is seen as a key mechanism for learning new ways of thinking in psychological therapy.

A mental disorder that involves a loss of contact with reality. Ketamine's acute effects were initially studied as a model for understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of psychosis.

The brain's background activity network when not actively engaged in a task, associated with rumination. Psychedelics, including ketamine, have been shown to disrupt the DMN.

Depression that has not responded to at least two conventional antidepressant medications. Ketamine has shown promise as a rapid-acting treatment for this condition.

A form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thinking patterns and behaviors. It is often combined with ketamine treatment to enhance and extend therapeutic effects.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor crucial for learning and memory processes like long-term potentiation. Ketamine's primary action is on this receptor, blocking glutamate transmission effectively.

An opioid substance used as a benchmark for addiction potential. Mentioned in the context of Dr. Krapitsky's work on opioid addiction.

A class of drugs that work by increasing GABA activity in the brain, used for anxiety and sedation. Withdrawal from high doses can be fatal.

A substance that increases GABA in the brain, leading to inhibitory effects. Chronic use causes upregulation, making abrupt withdrawal dangerous and potentially fatal.

A stimulant drug whose neuroplasticity-inducing effects are cited as a reason it can become addictive, highlighting that neuroplasticity alone does not guarantee therapeutic benefit.

A film about Parkinson's disease, referenced by a colleague of Dr. Morgan to describe the rapid and profound 'awakening' effect ketamine can have on severely depressed patients.

A book by John Lilly documenting his experiences with ketamine addiction and the resulting psychotic and revelatory states.

A film that is based on the life and research of John Lilly.

A book by Marsha Moore detailing her distinct subjective experiences with ketamine, which were described as soft and round, in contrast to John Lilly's machine-like visions.

The pharmaceutical company that developed Spravato, an intranasal form of ketamine for depression.

The pharmaceutical company that synthesized ketamine in the 1960s as a replacement for PCP.

A researcher at Yale who conducted a groundbreaking study in 2000, demonstrating ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Guest on the Drive podcast, a Ph.D. and researcher specializing in the effects of ketamine, particularly its use in psychosis models, recreational use, and therapeutic potential for depression and addiction.

Host of the Drive podcast, who interviews Dr. Celia Morgan about ketamine.

The Russian leader who initially banned ketamine for human use in Russia in 2003.

A Russian psychiatrist who conducted early work in the 1980s using ketamine infusions with psychological therapy for heroin addicts, showing significant reductions in heroin use at 12 months.

A neuroscientist based in California known for unusual research, including giving LSD to dolphins and inventing flotation tanks. His book 'The Scientist' documents his severe ketamine addiction and resulting psychotic states.

American actress mentioned as having had to wear a SCRAM bracelet for DUIs, illustrating the use of the device in criminal justice contexts.

The individual who coined the term 'dissociative anesthetics' to describe drugs like PCP and ketamine, and later nitrous oxide.

A 'dodgy' psychologist who worked for the Mexican government, incorporating interrogation techniques and administering ketamine with other psychedelics in psychiatric therapy during the 1960s/70s.

Heiress who experimented with ketamine, documented in 'Journeys to the Bright World,' and tragically froze to death due to ketamine-induced dissociation.

Ketamine is listed on their list of essential medicines due to its safety and effectiveness as an anesthetic, particularly in settings with limited resources.

The institution where Dr. Morgan completed her PhD program.

The UK's state healthcare system. It funds ketamine treatment for depression in specific clinics, though the drug is prescribed off-label. It plays a role in funding Dr. Morgan's phase three trial on ketamine for alcohol addiction.

The US institution where Dr. Morgan conducted research during her PhD, focusing on neuroimaging studies of ketamine as a model for psychosis. Also where groundbreaking research on ketamine for depression emerged.

Mentioned as a tool being used in research, specifically machine learning algorithms, to find patterns in natural language descriptions of ketamine experiences to predict outcomes.

A practice that has been shown to disrupt the default mode network, similar to psychedelics. Used in psychotherapy for addiction to help individuals deal with cravings.

A scale typically used to measure acute dissociative effects, originally designed for flashbacks in trauma, which may not be a sufficiently nuanced instrument for predicting ketamine's therapeutic outcomes.