Is Ketamine a Psychedelic?
Is Ketamine a Psychedelic? Is Ketamine Therapy a Psychedelic Therapy?
A common question about ketamine therapy is ‘is ketamine a psychedelic?’
The term psychedelic, from the Greek for “mind-manifesting”, was coined by Humphrey Osmond, a British psychiatrist working in Canada in the 1950s. Psychedelic is a term that describes a set of substances that appeared to reveal the inner workings of the mind (some call this the unconscious or the psyche). Historically, the list of substances considered psychedelic are hallucinogens such as LSD and Psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms).
In terms of chemistry, most psychedelics work mostly on the serotonin system in the brain and central nervous system. Research into how exactly these substances work is ongoing. Emerging evidence from studies with psilocybin and LSD points to a boosting effect of serotonin 2A receptors which creates a hallucination and also has antidepressant properties.
Regardless of the different mechanisms of action of psychedelic substances, the psychological aspect of revealing the mind, delving deep into the self, and accessing unconscious material is the most important aspect for therapy.
Ketamine can be used as a psychedelic therapy
Ketamine is considered a psychedelic medicine. It allows the user to dive deep into themselves, access an altered state of consciousness and make strides towards therapeutic goals. At higher doses, ketamine does have a hallucinogenic effect.
Ketamine is also a dissociative substance. This means one’s consciousness dissociates from the body and also from space and time. The altered state of consciousness engendered by ketamine is described as spacious, calm, expansive and peaceful.
Upwards of three hundred clinical trials have since been completed and published about ketamine’s therapeutic effects. The main takeaway is that ketamine relieves symptoms of depression for a period that can last days or weeks. Moreover, talk therapy often proves more effective than normal in the period after a ketamine dose.
The Psychedelic Effects of Ketamine in Therapy
Anecdotally, working for over 15 years with client in traditional talk therapy and now working with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy I can see the psychedelic effects firsthand. The ketamine itself can provide relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and addiction (specifically alcoholism, which has been studied with ketamine to great effect).
The psychedelic aspect of ketamine elicits a deep introspective state, which clients use for their own healing and clarity. Clients often “come back” from their ketamine experiences with new insights and healing experiences. Ketamine’s dissociative effect can help my clients feel safe while processing and working with traumatic material in session. One client described her ketamine sessions as “like having months of therapy in an afternoon.”
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
Currently, ketamine is the only legal psychedelic that’s used by licensed therapists. It can be a good option if traditional talk therapy and/or other medications have not been effective. Contact me if you’re curious about ketamine therapy for a free 20-minute consultation.