3 things to know about ketamine

(NEXSTAR) — de interview For more than an hour, former CNN reporter Don Lemon and Tesla CEO Elon Musk went back and forth on a variety of topics, including conspiracy theories, the advertiser boycott of Mr. Musk’s X, and the 2024 presidential election.

During the discussion, Full text published in XLemon also pressed Musk about his use of ketamine.

Mr. Musk is Posted repeatedly on X Regarding ketamine, he said he believes “occasional doses of ketamine are a better option” for people experiencing depression than traditional antidepressants.

When Lemon asked, Musk said he had a prescription for ketamine, but pushed back, saying, “It’s a pretty private thing to ask someone about a prescription.” He described “when there’s some kind of negative chemical state in the brain, perhaps like depression,” and said ketamine could help alleviate “negative thinking.”

Late last year, the coroner made headlines when a medical examiner suspected ketamine in “Friends” actor Matthew Perry. He died from the “acute effects of ketamine.” Perry, 54, was reportedly undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety.

Here are three things you should know about ketamine and its uses:

What is ketamine?

It was originally developed for use as a battlefield anesthetic during the Vietnam War, according to Dr. caleb alexanderprofessor of epidemiology Professor at Johns Hopkins University, Center for Drug Safety and Effectivenesshe said at one point. January Podcast Episodes.

Ketamine is a controlled but legal substance currently used in medical settings as an anesthetic and as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression. It is known to have “some degree of hallucinogenic effects,” according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Ketamine distorts visual and auditory perception, making users feel isolated and out of control,” the DEA says. explain. “It is called a ‘dissociative narcotic hallucinogen’ because it makes patients feel disconnected from their pain and environment.”

ale medicine differenceys Ketamine can cause the brain to form new neural connections, which may “give patients the opportunity to develop more positive thoughts and behaviors.”

food and drug administration Note Ketamine is not approved to treat any mental illness. But in 2019, authorities announced they had approved a prescription version of the nasal spray ketamine, known as esketamine (or Supravat), for hard-to-treat depression. Harvard Medical School.

Are there safety concerns with ketamine?

Officials have warned that ketamine can cause “dissociative and hallucinogenic effects.” In addition to the effects mentioned above, the DEA states that ketamine can cause other undesirable effects such as agitation, depression, cognitive impairment, loss of consciousness, and memory loss. overview.

Alexander explained that ketamine’s side effects can be delayed and are not necessarily short-lived. He added that ketamine carries a risk of addiction, but there is less evidence for this drug than there is for opioids.

DEA explain Ketamine is known to be abused by injection, mixing the liquid or powder with another liquid, or inhaling or smoking the powder.

Mr. Lemon asked Mr. Musk if he thought there was substance abuse. Musk responded by saying he didn’t think so, adding: “If you use too much ketamine, you really can’t do your job.” “There’s a lot of work.”

Does Ketamine have any benefits?

Although this drug has risks, it is known to be effective for its intended use.

by mayo clinic, Ketamine, administered via an intravenous drip, has been found to “rapidly alleviate” treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This relief of symptoms is known to last from several days to several weeks, and the dosage is usually reduced in frequency before being tapered gradually. A nasal spray version of esketamine has also been shown to relieve symptoms of depression within a few hours. This relief may last several weeks.

Dr. Peter Grinspoon I’ll write it in the article Harvard Health researchers said the relief in TRD experienced with ketamine use is faster than that typically seen with antidepressants. However, he points out that “ketamine is not a first-line treatment for depression.”

“This usually only occurs when other long-standing treatments have not been effective,” he explains. “Ketamine does not provide a cure; rather, it improves symptoms of depression over a period of time.”

Dr. Grinspoon, like Dr. Alexander and other medical experts, cautions against self-medication. Instead, consult your health care provider to determine if it is the right treatment for you.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.