In this episode, I explain how ketamine causes rewiring of brain circuits and dissociative states to relieve symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I explain how ketamine impacts both the brain’s glutamate and its endogenous opioid pathways, which together regulate mood and well-being. I discuss how ketamine therapy is used clinically to treat major depression, bipolar depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), suicidality and other psychiatric challenges. I also describe how ketamine causes the subjective effects of dissociation and euphoria and, at higher doses, is an anesthetic. I compare the different routes of ketamine administration, dosages and forms of ketamine, and if micro-dosing ketamine is effective. I also highlight the potential risks of recreational ketamine use (and the colloquial term ‘K-holes’). This episode should interest anyone interested in ketamine, treatments for depression, neuroplasticity mechanisms, psychiatry and mental health.For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://athleticgreens.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlabWaking Up: https://wakingup.com/hubermanMomentous: https://livemomentous.com/hubermanTimestamps

Ketamine

Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up

Ketamine & PCP; Clinical & Recreational Use

Depression & Current Treatments

Preclinical Models of Depression & Ketamine; “Learned Helplessness”

Ketamine & Clinical Uses; Depression & Suicidality

Ketamine & Other Psychiatric Challenges; Relief & Durability

Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens)

NMDA Receptor & Neuroplasticity

Excitatory & Inhibitory Communication, Seizure, NMDA Receptors & Ketamine

How Ketamine Functions in Brain; Acute & Long-Term Effects

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) & Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine & Opioid Pathway

Divergent Mechanisms of Immediate & Long-Term Effects

Habenula, Pro-Depressive Behaviors & Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine & Context-Dependent Strategy; Reward Pathway

Dissociative States

Doses & Routes of Administration; “K-holes”; Risk & Caution

Ketamine Forms; R-, S- vs R/S- Ketamine; Micro-Dosing

Ketamine: Effects & Therapy