Ketamine — once considered a counterculture drug — is now giving patients hope for treatment-resistant depression and other mental health struggles. Clinics are springing up around the country offering infusions for an out-of-pocket rate. Meanwhile, university researchers have been studying the effects and seeing improvements in some patients.
But the FDA has not approved ketamine for mental health treatment, which means treatment protocols vary. Some experts worry more oversight is needed.
On Cincinnati Edition, we'll look at the differences between conventional anti-depressants and ketamine, how they are being used locally to treat mental health, and the questions surrounding their safety.
Guests:
- Stephen Rush, MD, associate professor of clinical psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Joseph Palamar, Ph.D., associate professor, NYU Langone Health Department of Population Health
The University of Cincinnati is a financial supporter of Cincinnati Public Radio.
Ways to listen to this show:
- Tune in live at noon ET M-F. Call 513-419-7100 or email talk@wvxu.org to have your voice heard on today’s topic.
- Catch the replay on 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB at 8 p.m. ET M-F.
- Listen on-demand. Audio for this segment will be uploaded to this page by 4 p.m. ET., or subscribe to our podcast.