Ketamine is becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of mental disorders.
But some doctors and clinics have gone a step further by administering the injectable doses to patients, who can then administer the drug unsupervised.
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel, who is also a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, spoke on “Fox & Friends” Monday about the dangers of handing out ketamine.
KETAMINE THERAPY PROVED EFFECTIVE IN TREATING SEVERE DEPRESSION IN VETERANS, RESEARCH DISCOVERS
Ketamine was first approved for use as an anesthetic in the U.S. in the 1970s, Siegel said.
The drug has only been indicated for the treatment of depression in the last decade.
Ketamine was first approved for use as an anesthetic in the US in the 1970s. It was only in the last decade that it became indicated for the treatment of depression. (iStock)
“It works for very severe depression by changing the chemicals in the brain, but under the supervision of a very well-trained psychiatrist or anesthetist,” he said.
“The idea that it is now available through a small teleconsultation and then they send it to you with a self-measurement blood pressure kit is extremely dangerous.”
“It can make you very ill, and without you realizing it, you can end up in hospital.”
The doctor warned that ketamine 'can knock you out, cause hallucinations and raise your blood pressure' [or] “lowers your blood pressure.”
5 MYTHS ABOUT KETAMINE, THE DRUG LINKED TO MATTHEW PERRY'S DEATH, ACCORDING TO DOCTORS
“[It can] “It makes you really, really sick — and without any attention, you can end up in the hospital,” he said.
In terms of “breaking a vicious cycle of severe depression,” Siegel confirmed that ketamine is effective, “but not in this way.”
Dr. Marc Siegel was a guest on “Fox & Friends” on Monday, July 1, 2024 to discuss the risks of mail-ordered ketamine doses. (Fox News)
Earlier this year, the University of Michigan published a study examining the effects of ketamine on severe or treatment-resistant depression in veterans.
According to an analysis from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS), nearly half of all patients saw a “meaningful reduction” in their depression scores after six weeks of infusions.
About 25% of study participants saw their depression scores drop by half within six weeks of treatment, while 15% went into complete remission.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
In response to the study, Dr. Justin Gerstner, psychiatrist and medical director at Ellie Mental Health in Minnesota, told Fox News Digital that ketamine therapy “has been quite transformative for many of our clients.”
While patients have the benefit of not having to take medications every day, Gerstner noted that there isn't much regulation surrounding how ketamine treatments are administered.
Although ketamine has been shown to be effective against severe depression, doctors advise patients against using it without medical supervision. (Getty Images)
“The playing field is wide open, it's a bit like the Wild West,” he said.
“This is a very powerful medicine, and the way it's used can vary greatly.”
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) describes ketamine as a “dissociative drug,” meaning it makes people feel “separated or disconnected” from their body or physical environment.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Although ketamine is also used illegally as a recreational drug, experts say it is generally not dangerous when used as directed.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
