A Party Drug To Help With Depression? Yes’m! (For Real)

File this under "Positive use for an oft-abused drug."

Ketamine is a popular party drug, because WHO CARES DON'T ABUSE DRUGS.

It's also a legal (i.e. licensed) anaesthetic, so there are medical uses. Yes, uses.

A New Study from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (sounds fancy! And British!) found that a nasal spray version of ketamine significantly improves depression symptoms with the first 24 hours after initial dose.

How is this significant? Typical depression medication can take weeks of regular dosing to take effect, if it even works on the person at all.

The study went further by enlisting people at, "imminent risk of suicide." These folks were in a VERY bad place.

And within 24 hours, all were in a much better place.

The effects leveled off after 25 days. Bad? Not entirely. It may not be a long-term solution, but when it comes to the suicidal, long-term is secondary to short-term. The nasal spray could bring people on the brink of suicide back from the edge, giving precious time to find a long-term solution.

H/T: BBC