Ketamine: Benefits and Risks for Depression, PTSD & Neuroplasticity | Huberman Lab Podcast
In this episode, I explain how ketamine causes rewiring of brain circuits and dissociative states to relieve symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I explain how ketamine impacts both the brain’s glutamate and its endogenous opioid pathways, which together regulate mood and well-being. I discuss how ketamine therapy is used clinically to treat major depression, bipolar depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), suicidality and other psychiatric challenges. I also describe how ketamine causes the subjective effects of dissociation and euphoria and, at higher doses, is an anesthetic. I compare the different routes of ketamine administration, dosages and forms of ketamine, and if micro-dosing ketamine is effective. I also highlight the potential risks of recreational ketamine use (and the colloquial term ‘K-holes’). This episode should interest anyone interested in ketamine, treatments for depression, neuroplasticity mechanisms, psychiatry and mental health.
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Articles
Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients: https://bit.ly/44YTGxY
Attenuation of antidepressant and antisuicidal effects of ketamine by opioid receptor antagonism: https://go.nature.com/3qesrR8
atai Life Sciences Announces Results from Phase 2a Trial of PCN-101 (R-ketamine) for Treatment-Resistant Depression: https://bit.ly/47j6wsC
Comparative effects of (S)-ketamine and racemic (R/S)-ketamine on psychopathology, state of consciousness and neurocognitive performance in healthy volunteers: https://bit.ly/44WMxOR
Ketamine Metabolite (2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine Interacts with μ and κ Opioid Receptors: https://bit.ly/44e4SWB
Other Resources
The Science & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder (Huberman Lab episode): https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-and-treatment-of-bipolar-disorder/
Timestamps
00:00:00 Ketamine
00:02:29 Sponsors: ROKA & Eight Sleep
00:05:13 Ketamine & PCP; Clinical & Recreational Use
00:09:00 Depression & Current Treatments
00:15:17 Preclinical Models of Depression & Ketamine; “Learned Helplessness”
00:22:11 Ketamine & Clinical Uses; Depression & Suicidality
00:28:32 Ketamine & Other Psychiatric Challenges; Relief & Durability
00:33:24 Sponsor: AG1
00:34:29 NMDA Receptor & Neuroplasticity
00:41:36 Excitatory & Inhibitory Communication, Seizure, NMDA Receptors & Ketamine
00:48:26 How Ketamine Functions in Brain; Acute & Long-Term Effects
00:55:36 Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) & Ketamine Therapy
01:02:28 Sponsor: LMNT
01:03:40 Ketamine & Opioid Pathway
01:10:00 Divergent Mechanisms of Immediate & Long-Term Effects
01:15:45 Habenula, Pro-Depressive Behaviors & Ketamine Therapy
01:20:36 Ketamine & Context-Dependent Strategy; Reward Pathway
01:22:45 Dissociative States
01:26:04 Doses & Routes of Administration; “K-holes”; Risk & Caution
01:32:25 Ketamine Forms; R-, S- vs R/S- Ketamine; Micro-Dosing
01:38:24 Ketamine: Effects & Therapy
01:40:40 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac – https://www.blabacphoto.com
40 Comments
So what if you are not depressed? Do you have to be sick to get better? What about just using it to enhance your life? There are many ways I could see this happening: Using it for deeper understanding of the nature of reality, or using it to develop new attitudes toward life, or using it to enhance your relationship with The Divine?
🤡 🗣️🎪
Neuroplasticity does NOT have any relation to demylation of the Central Nervous System.
Beware, and very aware of what is involved if this chemical concoction is suggested by route of infusion.
Do NOT allow any doctor, at any time, try to convince you, or anybody else that physical pain derives from childhood trauma, especially if you're an adult over 25yrs old. This is not true. There is no scientific reason for any doctor to play around with the Central Nervous System. NONE.
Should I try ‘K’? I am a cPTSD sufferer and am now at the point of major reflux and vomiting very time I get startled, stressed and or anxious
I did a good load of in vivo research on ketamine. not clinically guided.
if any of you wants to give it a try, I highly suggest you actively work against your depression in this 3-7 day period post usage.
ketamine is a powerful tool but I think it has to be used in an aware and holistic way. it wont heal shit but it will bring you into a state where you can chance things. same concept as basically any other psychiatric medication
If you play it on .85 speed he sounds normal. He used to creep me out and I think it's just cuz the video is sped up? Or does he really talk that fast? Or am I tripping?
Can Ketamine work at a lower dose at home? I've been micro-dosing 30-60mg daily for a few weeks (with nurse guidance) with NO results. I don't recall you mentioning any sort of dosages in this video. Do you have to enter a k-hole for better results (120-150mg)?
I am considering also to undertake a ketamine therapy. But at the moment, I am a bit afraid to do it My doctor has offered it to me. I just want to ask other people here if it can help mostly with anxiety and depression that manifest itself with some low self esteem feeling, difficulties in all kind of relationships and hard difficulties with sleep. I am afraid that if I take ketamine, I will get some psychosis or my symptoms can go worse. What do you think?
I've tried ketamine three to four times now. I've noticed that my mood has improved significantly, my social anxiety has decreased, and I have much more motivation in my daily life. I've also managed to get rid of bad habits and negative behaviors, replacing them with new, positive ones. I should also mention that the effects of the therapy lasted for several weeks to months. I've also overcome my alcohol addiction—I no longer have any desire for alcohol. I love ketamine.❤
Is there an equivalent to ketamine for changing the brain to learn fast faster?
So many advertisements
Felon
God is in charge.
❤❤❤❤
How long would $million cure depression?
53:17 is this safe for people with history of seizures? Like it just disrupts it in a controlled way?
I would love to be able to solve multiple problems at once..
Ketamin or psylocibin for a major depression?
What is the durability like specific to cptsd?
Or is it clearing the lactic acid from their muscles?
When i took SSRI, the only thing i got out of it was side effects and none of the benefits. I found my other half and brought me out of my rut.
You’re awesome!
Some comments are actually so funny or I am perhaps in a good mood.
Does it help for bipolar disorder?
Antidepressants are addictive and cause TD and eventually your body doesn’t respond to them find God before it’s too late
Ketamine – We ❤ Bad Trip
I did 21 ketamine infusion session, and every time the dosage was 1 cc or around this amount, and each time as soon as it enters my blood flow I can feel the immediate effects, but this time I did it and felt no difference and thought they did not inject ketamine it's kust simple serum, and accelerate the serum and after some of it entered the blood felt no difference and got rid of it!
Went out and asked docs and nirses if they did actually add ketamine they all said they did!
I thought I got paranoid although I am sure it had no ketamine but since everybody was telling me I am wrong I don't believe my feelings now!
Doubt my mind now!!
I swear I know the feeling, i did it 21 sessions it felt no different, now I am thinking was I wrong!
Anybody knows anything to help me?
As a nurse, CPTSD/PTSD, Ehlers Danlos warrior, lupus queen, chronically depressed & survived trial after trial including a 2 decade miserable marriage …ketamine, behavior modification, cold plunges (did it was before it was cool!) saved me through this most recent horrid season. I’m a 3 time Ironman finisher & gen Xer so I’m not a wuss & ketamine has been a gift from GOD!!! ❤
I am a PMHNP, and this was excellent and very helpful!
Anyone tried it for CPTSD?
Dr. Huberman, I read that Lorazepam, used for anxiety, can block some of the dissociative effects of Ketamine if taken during treatment. Is there any research that it could also block the antidepressant effects?
Thanks for saying just bc you wake up b/t 2-3 am it means you are depressed. I had developed secondary adrenal insufficiency from cotisone knee injections. Kept being told my insomnia was “depression”. Bc I’m a retired medical technologist (laboratory scientist) I knew cortisol contributes to the sleep/wake cycle. Insisted (persistence?) on getting a cortisol level. Voila! It wasn’t depression!!
It would be awesome to see an episode about hormones and how they affect your mood. Specifically, I'd love to learn about PMDD and why it causes depression before a period starts
Im currently in my second year of anesthesia school and ketamine never ceases to amaze me! It does so many other great things for us as well in the anesthesia world that seem so paradoxical like increasing your heart rate and blood pressure and it also preserves your ability to breath despite producing a surgical level of anesthesia. 🤯
K
Why didn't you mention the nose
Excellent presentation thank you
I wonder if the VA offers it
I heard ppl would have to wear adult diapers if misuse to wipe their k-dot ….period 🩸🐱🧻!?
been on ketamine microdosing for about 9 months. 180-degree change ..no more anxiety attacks helps me keep focus on the positive thinking on life, now im on as needed dosage. life changer after trying all kids of anxiety depression drugs
I’ve been thinking about doing joyous. I’ve been on SSRI’s SNRI’s and everything else. I’ve recently started having bad thoughts from my meditation weight gain and my back hurts so bad ever since. I just want to be happy again!
Is this not Cbum in 20 years? And dont lie to me.