Spotlight: Ketamine Plus Therapy Offers Lasting Relief for Severe Depression

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial shows that ketamine treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression is significantly more effective when paired with psychotherapy and supportive environments. Patients who underwent combined treatment reported a 30% drop in symptoms lasting at least 8 weeks

Michael DeMarco, PhD

16 Aug 2025 — 2 min read

"Those who experienced emotionally intense or mystical states during ketamine sessions showed the most improvement, suggesting these effects may be key to healing. The study introduces the “Montreal Model,” a patient-centered approach blending psychiatry and psychedelic therapy in real-world clinical settings."

The Music for Subanesthetic Infusions of Ketamine randomised clinical trial: ketamine as a psychedelic treatment for highly refractory depression (Greenway, et al, 2025)

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Spotlight "Prefrontal contribution to passive coping behaviour in chronic stress and treatment by fast-acting antidepressant" (Fong, et al, 2025)

Spotlight "Prefrontal contribution to passive coping behaviour in chronic stress and treatment by fast-acting antidepressant" (Fong, et al, 2025)

"Persistent passive coping (p-coping) behaviour is a hallmark feature in major depression and is reversed by fast-acting antidepressants (such as ketamine)."

Spotlight: "Ketamine may treat depression by 'flattening the brain's hierarchies,' small study suggests (2025)

"The finding of increased synaptic density in the DMN suggests ketamine isn't just creating new synapses — it's fundamentally reorganizing how brain networks communicate."

Spotlight: Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Emerging Treatment for Trauma and Depression ( Espí Forcén et al, 2025)

Spotlight: Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Emerging Treatment for Trauma and Depression ( Espí Forcén et al, 2025)

"While more research is needed to fully characterize the safety profile, current data support a relatively benign adverse effect profile with good tolerability when administered responsibly and in accordance with clinical standards to individuals without known contraindications."

Spotlight: Ketamine as an Adjunct Therapy for Refractory Cancer Pain: A Case Report (Emshoff, et al, 2025)

"While traditionally recognized for its anesthetic and dissociative effects, low-dose, subanesthetic ketamine can be useful in palliative care to manage severe, intractable pain."

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