Ketamine originated as an anesthetic in the 1960s, and in the late 1990s researchers started exploring the antidepressant potential of Ketamine. In the mid-2000s, psychiatrists started administering intramuscular Ketamine within a psychotherapeutic framework. Ketamine has become an increasingly popular way of treating mental health disorders, especially for folks who have been struggling for a while with no improvement.

Ketamine has both antidepressant and dissociative effects. On Ketamine, the patient is able to experience a timeout from their usual thought processes, which can lead to a relief from negativity and provide access to the observing self. Ketamine also promotes neural plasticity ― the brain’s ability to change and adapt. These effects can enhance a patient’s ability to engage in meaningful psychotherapy during and after administration.

Read about Bodhi Aware Therapy’s founder’s experience here.