Elon Musk disclosed in a recent interview that revealed that he takes ketamine for depression. According to the tech giant, speaking about the controversial drug would “help other people.” But, certain religious beliefs may not allow you to take the drug as it can act as an intoxicant.
Musk said this regarding his ketamine use in the interview, not revealing much:
I sometimes have a negative chemical state in my brain, like depression, unrelated to bad news. Ketamine helps one move on from negativity.”
Musk’s statement would boost the drug’s reputation as a depression cure, experts said.
They also worried about usage outside medical and psychiatric settings.
FDA-approved ketamine hydrochloride was developed 50 years ago and is currently used.
The Drug Enforcement Agency classifies it as a Schedule III non-narcotic with medicinal applications.
Ketamine, an illegal party drug, causes hallucinations and a calm, disconnected mood.
Over the past two decades, researchers have studied ketamine for its possible treatment in many mental health problems, including:
particularly treatment-resistant depression
Issues include substance abuse and PTSD.
anxiety
The most researched ketamine therapy for psychiatric illnesses is intravenous ketamine. The medicine is usually given while under observation at a clinic and then in multiple maintenance doses over several months.
Dosage and infusion schedules vary per clinic and patient.
Researchers looked at similar medication compositions simultaneously. The FDA authorized Spravato (esketamine)Trusted Source for treatment-resistant depression in 2019. Esketamine is a nasal spray, not an intravenous drug.
An expert analysis in The American Journal of Psychiatry from 2021 found the strongest evidence for ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Ketamine can be given by a doctor for psychiatric illnesses, but the FDA has not approved it despite accumulating evidence.
The FDA does not authorize IV ketamine infusion therapy. In the last couple decades, the public and psychiatry researchers and clinicians have paid more attention to using this in clinical settings, said Dr. Jeffrey Zabinski, MD, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center.
Columbia University Medical Center provides ketamine infusion therapy for psychiatry.
In reference to Musk’s interview, Zabinski remarked, “There’s a positive opportunity for education when something like this comes up. Ketamine is not for everyone. You must work with a psychiatrist or other mental healthcare practitioner to investigate safer alternatives before using ketamine.
Musk said, “I don’t think so,” when Lemon asked if he abuses the substance. Ketamine can hinder work, and I have a lot of it.”
He explained that he uses ketamine “a small amount once every other week.”
Stanford Medicine Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine Boris Heifets, MD, PhD, said Musk’s interview may destigmatize mental health. He was more direct about the drawbacks:
Someone could listen to the interview and say, “Hey, I’m depressed, and this high-functioning guy says it’s okay, so maybe it’s good for me.” I don’t trust the medical establishment, therefore maybe I don’t need a doctor to tell me. Just grab some ketamine. And that’s problematic. I feel confident admitting that worries me a lot.”
Ketamine is safe and has been used in medicine for decades. Recreational drug use poses considerable risks.
Ketamine infusion therapy for depression may be unsafe over time.
“One-dose ketamine is very safe. Ketamine has been given to millions of people in operating rooms worldwide for 50 years. But we know ketamine is abused, said Heifets.
Even for those prescribed ketamine, safety study is essential.
He stated, “There’s a lot we don’t know about its risk profile that we should attend before making determinations.”
Misuse of ketamine is tricky. While ketamine has misuse potential, evidence suggests it may cure drug disorders.Trusted Source
In recent decades, ketamine has been abused. Patients with a history of substance use disorders require additional attention. The tricky part is that some research show ketamine can help substance use disorders.”
Ketamine poses short- and long-term health hazards. People may experience: immediately after taking the medicine.
Hallucinations
Feeling drunk
Sedation Disorientation
Nausea
Ketamine overdose can cause unconsciousness and hazardous breathing.
Long-term ketamine use can causeTrusted Source:
Problems with urine and bladder
Misuse and abuse
High blood pressure
Psychotic events
Elon Musk recently shared his depression-treating ketamine prescription.
Ketamine, an FDA-approved anesthetic, has been shown to alleviate treatment-resistant depression.
The FDA has not approved the medication for psychiatric problems.
Musk speaking out may help destigmatize mental health, but it may also promote drug desire, which can be misused, experts say. Remember that certain religious beliefs may not allow you to take the drug as it can act as an intoxicant.
