The Ethics of Ketamine for Depression: Why Hope is Always the Right Choice

There is an ongoing epidemic in the United States, and the statistics may shock you: since 1999, the suicide rate in this country has increased by more than 25%. What’s worse is that researchers suggest this trend will only continue to grow. If you have ever known someone who struggled with depression and/or has committed suicide, you are not alone. On average, there are 129 deaths due to suicide every day in the United States. In 2017, there were more than 1 million suicide attempts, 47,000 of which were, devastatingly, successful. The statistics are beyond disturbing.

Now, transition your thoughts to ketamine, a controversial drug that has been proven to reduce suicidal ideations and alleviate the symptoms of depression in up to 70% of patients suffering from treatment-resistant or suicidal depression. In the early part of this century, ketamine was discovered as a promising new antidepressant, and from that time has been the focus of multiple studies, all seeking to understand how ketamine works to treat depression, why it is so effective, and whether it is safe for long-term use. So, what’s the controversy? First, ketamine is widely known as a recreational drug, abused popularly in the club scene. Secondly, there is not enough data to understand the long-term implications of ketamine infusions, even though the drug has been used safely as an anesthetic since the 1960s. So the great debate, then, is this: do we allow the use of ketamine if it can save lives, or to stop its use altogether until further research is conducted?

To read more about the controversy around this life-changing treatment follow the link below:

Our greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey ketamine clinic believes that hope is always the right choice. Ketamine has proven—time and time again—to have rapid-acting and positive results for up to 70% of patients. Oftentimes, the effects of ketamine are noticeable within 1-2 hours of the first infusion! Imagine the hope this could bring to someone seriously considering suicide? A suicidal person doesn’t have the time to wait years for studies to be conducted—they need help immediately. Ketamine provides them with that help. Let us choose hope, because the possibility of saving millions of lives is worth it.

Contact RestoratIV Wellness

If you or a loved one is suffering from severe depression, suicidality, or another debilitating psychiatric condition, please contact our ketamine clinic. Our clinical team is professional, highly experienced, and here to serve you with compassion and empathy. Please contact us to schedule a free consultation, because we want to help change your life—or the life of a loved one—for the better!