Author: James Anderson

Association of Ketamine With Psychiatric Symptoms and Implications for Its Therapeutic Use and for Understanding Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Ajub and Lacerda [22], described the efficacy of esketamine in four patients with psychotic characteristics and severe depression, following the description of these two individuals. Two patients were diagnosed with major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms, one with bipolar depressive disorder with mixed features, and one with schizoaffective disorder, depressive type. Three patients exhibited considerable improvement or complete remission of both depressed and psychotic symptoms 24 h after esketamine injection and after two and four weeks of follow-up examination. The administration of esketamine to these four patients did not aggravate their psychotic symptoms. There is evidence supporting the pro-cognitive effects of ketamine, which imply that ketamine may decrease cognitive performance during infusion or within a few hours following infusion but improve cognition after infusion. Malhotra et al. [11] demonstrated a worsening of cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia following ketamine infusion; the effects were only noticed during the infusion and disappeared 90–120 min later.

However, studies suggest that the condition may arise from environmental, psychological, and genetic factors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can also be an important part of the patient’s treatment plan. These include both “typical” antipsychotics, like Thorazine (chlorpromazine) and Haldol (haloperidol), and “atypical” antipsychotics, like Risperdal (risperidone) and Clozaril (clozapine). Acute episodes of psychosis can last hours, days, weeks, or months, and in many cases may require hospitalization to ensure the person’s safety. They can be auditory (sound), visual (sight), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), or gustatory (taste).

The hallucinogenic properties of ketamine are similar to those of other psychedelic substances. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that is commonly used in medical and veterinary settings. It is known for its hallucinogenic effects and is often used recreationally for its ability to induce a sense of detachment from reality.

Importance of understanding the duration of ketamine-induced psychosis

Our secondary goal was to determine whether a lifetime history of psychosis predicted increased psychotic or dissociative symptoms during infusion and postinfusion. Drug-induced schizophrenia can affect people who take certain drugs or substances that lead to symptoms of this serious mental health condition, including cannabis or amphetamine use. Research finds that more than 25% of people who have a substance-induced psychotic episode will later be diagnosed with schizophrenia. The dosage and frequency of ketamine use play a significant role in determining the duration of ketamine-induced psychosis. Higher doses and more frequent use of ketamine can lead to a longer duration of psychosis symptoms. This is because the drug can have a cumulative effect on the brain, causing more severe and prolonged symptoms.

It is important to note that each individual’s experience may vary, and a personalized approach to treatment is essential. Individual differences and susceptibility also contribute to the duration of ketamine-induced psychosis. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to developing this condition, while others may experience milder symptoms or recover more quickly.

Additionally, they must exhibit one or more other symptoms that can also include catatonic behavior or a flat affect. These symptoms must persist most of the time for at least one month, at levels that interfere with work, relationships, and other features of daily life. Examples of delusions common in schizophrenia are believing that others are out to hurt you, believing that others can hear your thoughts or are putting thoughts into your head, and believing that you have extra powers or magic. During hospitalizations, which lasted from 2 to 6 months, all of the patients were treated with multiple ADT. In addition, patient number 1 had performed four ECT procedures, which resulted in delirium implicating ECT discontinuation.

General Timeframe for the Onset and Duration

While each individual’s journey to recovery may differ, there are several key factors that can significantly impact the recovery process. In this section, we will explore the factors that can affect recovery from ketamine-induced psychosis. A patent application for the use of ketamine in depression has been submitted listing the corresponding author (CAZ) among the inventors. He has assigned his rights on the patent to the U.S. government but will share a percentage of any royalties that may be received by the government. All other authors report no biomedical financial interests or potential conflicts of interest.

There can be many other symptoms present, including a flat affect (lack of expression) and catatonic behavior (unusual movements or speech) and each person will present differently. They further noted that ketamine increased noise in gamma frequencies, which is also linked to an impaired ability to process sensory signals. In the end, the researchers found that ketamine increased power in both beta and gamma oscillations even before they stimulated the rats’ whiskers. More specifically, the researchers monitored how ketamine affects beta and gamma oscillations in a neural network that transmits signals from sensory organs to the brain. They then simulated their whiskers and recorded the brain’s responses before and after ketamine. Recently, researchers examined how ketamine affects sensory perception in the brains of rats.

1. It may be that substances exacerbate symptoms of schizophrenia, that people use substances to cope with schizophrenia symptoms, or that environmental and genetic factors predispose a person to both conditions.
2. Individual differences and susceptibility also contribute to the duration of ketamine-induced psychosis.
3. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can also be an important part of the patient’s treatment plan.
4. They then simulated their whiskers and recorded the brain’s responses before and after ketamine.

The interaction between ketamine and these underlying conditions can complicate the recovery process and extend the duration of psychosis. Early intervention is key to improving recovery outcomes for individuals experiencing ketamine-induced psychosis. Prompt intervention can help manage symptoms, prevent further deterioration, and address any underlying mental health conditions that may have contributed to the development of psychosis. Understanding the average duration of ketamine-induced psychosis is essential for individuals experiencing this condition and healthcare professionals providing care.

Abstinence from Ketamine Use

Psychotic treatment-resistant depression is a complex and challenging manifestation of mood disorders in the clinical setting. Psychotic depression is a subtype of major depressive disorder characterized by mood-consistent hallucinations and/or delusions. Ketamine appears to have rapid and potent antidepressant effects in clinical studies, and the Federal Drug Agency approved the use of ketamine enantiomer esketamine-nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression pharmacotherapy in 2019. This study aimed to assess the usage of ketamine for major depressive disorder with psychotic features as an add-on treatment to the standard of care. Here we present four inpatients suffering from treatment-resistant depression with psychotic features, including one with severe suicidal crisis, all treated with 0.5 mg/kg intravenous infusion of ketamine. Subsequent monitoring revealed no exacerbation of psychotic symptoms in short and long-term observation, while stable remission was observed in all cases with imminent antisuicidal effect.

Further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the duration of ketamine-induced psychosis. This will help in developing more effective interventions and support strategies for individuals experiencing this condition. Encouraging individuals to seek help early on and providing them with the necessary resources and support can significantly improve their chances of recovery. There is significant evidence that an increase in synaptic neuroplasticity is essential for the antidepressant effect of ketamine.

Several studies have been conducted to investigate the duration of ketamine-induced psychosis. These studies aim to determine how long the symptoms persist and whether there are any factors that influence the duration. One such study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology examined the duration of ketamine-induced psychosis in a group of individuals who had a history of ketamine use.

With the right treatment and support, individuals can regain control of their lives and move towards a healthier and more fulfilling future. Recovering from ketamine-induced psychosis is a challenging journey that requires a multi-faceted approach. Abstinence from ketamine use, supportive therapy, and early intervention are all crucial factors that can significantly impact the recovery process. It is important to remember that recovery is possible with the right support and commitment to treatment. However, it is important to note that medication alone is not a cure for ketamine-induced psychosis.