One study says severe depression may be treatable with a drug

One study says severe depression may be treatable with a drug
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Thousands of people suffering from severe depression may have a healing chance if ketamine testing is widely available, experts say.

“We need greater investment to be able to use this drug on a wider scale in medical experiments, as we believe it has the potential to turn into an essential remedy for dealing with urgent cases,” said Michael Bloomfield, a psychiatrist and lecturer at UCL, according to The Guardian.

“The interest is high as well as the enthusiasm in the field for the potential therapeutic effects that ketamine can have in treating severe depression. While the drug has been used for decades as an anesthetic, the scientific theory according to which it could be used in the treatment for severe depression has just begun in this century”, said Michael Bloomfield, psychiatrist and lecturer at UCL.

The drug was claimed by doctors and psychiatrists as a real potential remedy for treating those who suffer from severe depression and who are drug resistant and have a suicidal behavior. In this regard, doctors argue that it would be necessary to set up more centers and run experiments to explore the potential of the drug under careful monitoring.

“We need to continue to gather evidence of the benefits and disadvantages of ketamine treatment, which could ultimately deliver significant benefits to patients”, said Professor Allan Young of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

In the same line, Dr. James Stone, a lecturer at King’s College London, has also positioned himself, according to which studies have so far shown that this drug reduces suicidal thoughts, and the first effects are seen in less than an hour.

“Although research in this area still has a long way to go, we are dealing with one of the most exciting aspects of this drug with a unique antidepressant profile”, said James Stone.

According to official estimates, 3% of the UK population, 2 million people, suffer from depression, and 158,000 are resistant to drug treatment.


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Anna is an avid blogger with an educational background in medicine and mental health. She is a generalist with many other interests including nutrition, women's health, astronomy and photography. In her free time from work and writing, Anna enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to jazz and classical music.

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