How Ketamine Treats Depression The anesthetic ketamine has drawn excitement in recent years as a fast-acting and effective treatment for severe depression. A study published today in the 'American Journal of Psychiatry' sheds light on how the drug works to
treat depression. Ketamine needs to activate opioid receptors in order to have anti-depressant effects. The new findings challenge previous views The findings also underscore the need for caution against widespread and repeated use of ketamine for depression until more research is done. Dr. Alan Schatzberg, Stanford University School of Medicine, via statement