But none of these approaches is superior to the others, says Bennett.
“It is important to give the patient what they need at that moment in time.”
A patient is seen as a passive being receiving medication.
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Ketamine’sdissociative propertiesare seen as side effects rather than tools for insight.
Some of this approach comes from Dr. Stanislov Grofs work.
How It Works
A psychiatrist typically administers this approach throughketamine infusions.
Usually, dosing is below a full psychedelic level.
As with traditional antidepressants,ketamine is most effective when combined with psychotherapy.
Ketamine by itself, says Bennett, appears to relieve the symptoms of certain kinds of depression.
Salvador Roquet, a Mexican therapist, originally developed this approach.
The ketamine may be given in methods ranging from intramuscular injections to oral lozenges tonasal sprayto IV.
Similar models are currently being used in studies ofMDMA therapy.
In one study, a participant described his experience with KAP as an amplification of his regular talk therapy.
Unlike in the biochemical model, settingisimportant in the psychedelic model.
However, Bennett writes that the “full psychedelic experience” is not for everyone.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Mathew SJ, Shah A, Lapidus K, et al.Ketamine for treatment-resistant unipolar depression.CNS Drugs.
2017;74(4):399-405. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0080
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The Transpersonal: Spirituality in Psychotherapy and Counselling.
2014;33(2):160-174. doi:10.24972/ijts.2014.33.2.160
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