Ketamine therapy is incredibly young — with the majority of research studies only completed within the past 10 years (2013-2023). However, the most compelling research on topic has been from the actual patients and psychotherapists using ketamine therapy.

Patients, therapists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are all giving their feedback on ketamine therapy, with many calling the successful ketamine treatment cases “life-changing.”

One of the biggest proponents of ketamine therapy is also the researcher responsible for bringing ketamine therapy to a broader audience in recent years: Dr. Carlos Zarate.

A Brief History of Ketamine Therapy for Depression

In the article: “Cracking the Ketamine Code,” Dr. Carlos Zarate of the National Institute of Mental Health does a wonderful job of summarizing the early successes through the current innovations with ketamine.

Dr Zarate and colleagues are diving deeper into how ketamine works to treat depression in even newer studies, including “Role of NMDAR inhibition in ketamine action.”

Podcast on Ketamine Therapy with Dr. Carlos Zarate:

Dr Zarate is a leading researcher and advocate for ketamine for medical uses. We highly recommend his research, podcasts, media, and opinions for those interested in the scientific side of ketamine therapy.

Carlos A. Zarate, M.D. is Chief, Section on the Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders and Chief of Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch (ETPB) at the National Institute of Mental Health, and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at The George Washington University.

Ketamine Therapy for Bipolar Disorder?

Ketamine therapy for bipolar disorder is currently an off-label use of ketamine, but Zarate and other researchers are hoping to see the same success as seen with depression. In his research: “Bipolar disorder: candidate drug targets” Zarate details what drugs may offer therapy for treatment-resistant bipolar disorder and mania.