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ketamine

Are Mystical Experiences Required for the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine & Psychedelics?

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The intersection of mental health treatment and pharmacology is witnessing a remarkable shift with the growing interest in ketamine and classic psychedelics like psilocybin for their rapid and sustained antidepressant effects. Unlike traditional antidepressants, these substances offer hope for those with treatment-resistant depression by potentially transforming treatment paradigms. However, it remains somewhat unclear as to …

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Ketamine Increases Amygdala Volume in Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) (2024 MRI Study)

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Depression is a complex mental health condition that significantly affects an individual’s emotional and physical well-being. Recent advances in neuroimaging have provided deeper insights into how major depressive disorder (MDD) alters brain structures, particularly the hippocampus and amygdala, and how treatments like ketamine can potentially reverse these changes. A new study using 3T and 7T …

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Psychedelics vs. Epilepsy & Seizures: Effective Treatment or Exacerbation? (2023 Review)

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Psychedelic compounds, long associated with the fringes of medicine and spirituality, are now at the forefront of a radical shift in neurology and psychiatry. Decades of clinical trials have begun to unravel the therapeutic potentials of these substances, revealing promising outcomes in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. However, a notable gap in this burgeoning …

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Esketamine Nasal Spray Effective Last Resort for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)? (2023 Study)

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Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represents a significant challenge in mental health care, often leaving patients and clinicians in a difficult position after traditional treatments fail. Recent studies, including a prospective, observational study at a leading medical center, have brought new hope in the form of esketamine, a novel antidepressant. Highlights: Esketamine’s Mechanism: Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of …

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Lateral Habenula & Depression: The Anti-Reward Center (Mechanisms & Antidepressant Treatments)

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Depression is a complex and multifaceted disorder affecting millions worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests the lateral habenula, a small brain region, plays a crucial role in depression’s development and persistence. By influencing neurotransmitter systems and interacting with stress pathways, the lateral habenula’s dysfunction may lead to the classic symptoms of depression. Highlights: The lateral habenula is …

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Prolonged Antidepressant Effect of Ketamine: NMDA Receptors & Lateral Habenula “Trapping”

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Ketamine causes rapid and sustained antidepressant effects that last longer than its presence in the body. This is due to ketamine getting trapped and accumulating in NMDA receptors, causing prolonged neural inhibition. Manipulating brain activity can shorten or extend ketamine’s effects. Highlights: Ketamine continues blocking NMDA receptors for 24 hours despite rapid elimination from plasma …

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