Ketamine has been a topic of interest in recent years due to its potential in treating mental health conditions. However, its history in medical use spans over five decades.
It all began with Phencyclidine (PCP), a drug first created in 1956 by chemists at Parke Davis Company. PCP had promise as an anesthetic, but its intense and prolonged emergence delirium made it undesirable for human use.
In 1962, Calvin Stevens, a Parke Davis consultant and organic chemist, came up with a new drug, ketamine (then known as CI-581). He wanted to see if it would be safer and work better than the previous Phencyclidine. Ketamine was then selected for human trials and first administered as an anesthetic dose on August 3, 1964, by Dr. Edward Domino and Dr. Guenter Corssen at the University of Michigan.
Early Clinical Trials
Domino and Corssen's initial pharmacological study found ketamine to be safe & effective for clinical anesthetic use. In 1966, they published their findings from the first clinical experiences with ketamine. This study, which involved 130 patients undergoing surgical procedures, demonstrated that ketamine was safe & effective.
The researchers observed that ketamine produced:
Patients experienced swift and intense pain relief, which is a critical aspect of any anesthetic agent.
Ketamine induces a distinct state of consciousness, characterized by a sense of detachment from one's surroundings and a reduced ability for you to feel pain.
The anesthetic effects of ketamine were relatively short-lived, which made it an attractive option for surgical procedures.
These findings marked a significant milestone in the development of ketamine as a medical treatment, and paved the way for further research into its potential applications.
In the 1960s, ketamine began to gain popularity as an anesthetic agent due to its ability to induce a state of dissociation while maintaining respiratory and cardiovascular function. It was used extensively during the Vietnam War as an anesthetic agent due to its ease of administration and safety profile.
Ketalar, a preparation of ketamine, was approved by the FDA in 1970 for human use. Since then, ketamine has evolved in its applications, including its use in ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In the 2000s, studies began to emerge highlighting ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects, producing significant improvements in depressive symptoms within hours.
Today, ketamine is used in various medical settings, including KAT, which involves the administration of ketamine in a controlled environment, often in conjunction with talk therapy.
Ketamine's history in medical use is a rich and complex one, spanning over 50 years.
From its early beginnings as an anesthetic agent to its current applications in ketamine-assisted therapy, ketamine has come a long way. As research continues to uncover its potential, ketamine may yet become an increasingly important tool in the treatment of mental health conditions.
If you or a loved one are considering ketamine-assisted therapy, seeking professional guidance is essential. Enthea is a valuable resource for those looking to explore KAT treatments and support. Visit our website to learn more about our services and how we can help.
