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GLP Podcast: Ketamine—Miracle Depression Treatment, or Recreational Nightmare?

The episode examines ketamine’s rise from a battlefield anesthetic to an FDA‑approved treatment (esketamine) for treatment‑resistant depression, highlighting its rapid antidepressant effects and potential to reduce suicidal thoughts. Experts discuss the drug’s significant risks—including addiction, dissociation, blood‑pressure spikes, bladder damage, and uncertain long‑term safety—alongside practical barriers such as cost and the need for supervised infusions. Proponents argue that, for patients who fail conventional therapies, even short‑term relief can be life‑changing, while critics call for more rigorous research and safeguards to prevent misuse. The debate underscores the tension between innovative mental‑health solutions and the need for caution in vulnerable populations.