CNN Reports ‘Ketamine offers lifeline for suicidal thoughts’

CNN featured a segment on the use of ketamine for treating suicidal ideation–a novel, off-label use for ketamine that is currently being explored in human clinical trials.  The segment featured Dr. Sanjay Gupta sharing the story of Alan Ferguson.  Mr. Ferguson discussed his experience with suicidal ideation, stating that he had planned his own suicide prior to a psychiatrist suggesting the off-label use of ketamine.  Fortunately, ketamine worked for him as it has for many others, completely eliminating all thoughts of suicide and depression.

While ketamine is a long-known, FDA-approved anesthetic, new uses for this old drug have recently been discovered.  The new indication that is probably the farthest along is for the treatment of depression.  It’s even undergoing phase III clinical trials for the treatment of depression, which are expected to be completed next year.  In depression, ketamine’s mechanism of action is still being explored. Scientists know that ketamine antagonizes the NMDA receptor, which causes a number of downstream cascades that may be relevant to it’s antidepressant effects. Ketamine also increases important neuronal growth factors that can create new synaptic connections.

While there are numerous anti-depressants that are already FDA-approved, they don’t always work and–even when they do–it takes weeks to see the effect.  This is what’s special about ketamine.  The anti-depressant effects of ketamine are instantaneous.  In the case of Alan Ferguson, his depression went from severe to mild after the first infusion, and was gone after the second. In cases of depression that involve suicidality, this rapid improvement can be the difference between life and death.  Even though ketamine is not yet approved for the treatment of depression or suicidal ideation, there is an abundance of data showing that it works and it’s already being used off-label in the clinic.

If you or someone you know is depressed, please make an appointment to see if you are a good candidate for ketamine.  Dr. Ashraf Hanna is located in Clearwater, FL and is one of the leading experts in IV ketamine therapy.  Dr. Hanna is a licensed anesthesiologist and Director of Pain Management at the Florida Spine Institute.  He has performed thousands of infusions and patients travel from all over the world to benefit from his expertise. If you want to learn more, visit his website and listen to his patient testimonies. You won’t be disappointed!  What are you waiting for?  Make an appointment today!