Can a psychedelic ‘coach’ make ketamine therapy more effective?

Ketamine treatment clinics have been on the rise ever since the Food and Drug Administration gave its approval for the drug to be used as a treatment for acute depression in 2019. This has led to a proliferation of infusion clinics offering ketamine therapy, creating a sort of Wild West scenario where treatment access has expanded for many Americans without much regulation.

There is a divide among providers regarding the use of ketamine strictly as a pharmacological intervention. Some believe that psychotherapy or other forms of monitoring should be incorporated alongside the drug’s administration. Studies have shown that administering ketamine without psychological support can lead to a reduction in depressive symptoms and suicidality within a matter of hours.

However, there are researchers who are concerned that taking a pharmacological-only approach to ketamine therapy may mean missing out on potential benefits. A group of scientists recently announced a clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital aimed at answering questions about what exactly ketamine, and the resulting trip it induces, provides in terms of mental health benefits.

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