Can a psychedelic ‘coach’ make ketamine therapy more effective?

O. Rose Broderick reports on the health policies and technologies that shape the lives of people with disabilities. Prior to joining STAT, she contributed to WNYC’s Radiolab and Scientific American. Her investigative work debunking a false theory about transgender children earned a nomination for a 2024 GLAAD Media Award. You can contact Rose on Signal at rosebroderick.11.

Since the Food and Drug Administration approved ketamine for acute depression in 2019, treatment clinics have rapidly increased, creating a largely unregulated landscape of infusion centers. This expansion has improved access to treatment for many Americans.

The medical community is divided on the approach to ketamine use. Some argue it should be solely a pharmacological treatment, while others advocate for combining it with psychotherapy or other monitoring methods. Research indicates that administering ketamine without psychological support can alleviate depressive symptoms and reduce suicidality within hours.

However, certain researchers are concerned that focusing only on pharmacological effects might miss additional benefits. On Tuesday, a group of scientists announced a clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital aimed at exploring the true impact of ketamine and the experiences it induces.