Over the last few years in particular, ketamine has gained a lot of traction in the medical field for its potential in treating mental health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since its reputation has changed from a purely recreational drug to one with legitimate medical uses, it has led many who may be considering using the drug for treatment to wonder, “Is ketamine addictive?”

While the answer to this can be yes, it is not a cut-and-dry answer. While ketamine can offer therapeutic benefits, it also comes with side effects and risks, along with the potential for misuse, dependency, and addiction, like any drug. That’s why understanding how ketamine works, its side effects, and its risks can help individuals make informed decisions about its use.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that was first developed in the 1960s and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an anesthetic. It works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which can lead to altered perceptions, dissociation, and hallucinations in some cases.

While it is still used as an anesthetic, it is much more widely used today as an alternative form of mental health treatment. This is specifically related to the treatment of depression and PTSD.

A big reason for this is that studies have shown that ketamine has rapid-acting antidepressant properties. This can make it a popular option for treating people with depression or PTSD who have not responded well to more traditional treatment methods.

Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to show results, ketamine has been shown to provide relief from symptoms within hours. The drug is believed to promote neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to rewire itself and potentially heal from past trauma. Many people report that ketamine treatments give them a sense of emotional detachment from their distress, allowing them to process trauma more effectively in a therapeutic setting.

But while this effect is beneficial in controlled medical environments, it can also contribute to its recreational abuse. Users may seek the dissociative high that ketamine can provide.

Is Ketamine FDA Approved?

While ketamine has grown in popularity over the years in treating certain mental health conditions, it is important to note that ketamine in its natural form is not FDA-approved for treating depression. However, a derivative of ketamine known as esketamine was approved by the FDA in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression. Administered as a nasal spray under medical supervision, esketamine provides a controlled method of delivering ketamine’s therapeutic effects.

Since this is the only FDA-approved form of ketamine for mental health treatment, other methods of ketamine treatment are often not covered by insurance. This can make the cost of treatment prohibitively expensive for many individuals.