How Ketamine Works
Mechanism of action: NMDA receptors, glutamate signaling, neuroplasticity, and the neuroscience behind ketamine's antidepressant effects.
Clinical context
Use these explainers to prepare better questions for a licensed clinician, not to self-adjust dosing.
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Featured
3 articles
Ketamine and the Opioid System: How Ketamine Interacts with Opioid Receptors
An in-depth exploration of ketamine's interactions with the opioid receptor system, the scientific debate over whether opioid activity contributes to its antidepressant effects, and clinical implications.
Ketamine and Epigenetics: How Ketamine May Alter Gene Expression
An exploration of emerging research on ketamine's epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modification, DNA methylation changes, and how these processes may contribute to lasting antidepressant effects.
The Complete Guide to Ketamine: Everything You Need to Know
Complete guide to ketamine therapy: history, pharmacology, NMDA mechanism, treatment routes, conditions treated, safety, legal status, and 2026 research.
Ketamine and the Opioid System: How Ketamine Interacts with Opioid Receptors
An in-depth exploration of ketamine's interactions with the opioid receptor system, the scientific debate over whether opioid activity contributes to its antidepressant effects, and clinical implications.
Ketamine and Epigenetics: How Ketamine May Alter Gene Expression
An exploration of emerging research on ketamine's epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modification, DNA methylation changes, and how these processes may contribute to lasting antidepressant effects.
The Complete Guide to Ketamine: Everything You Need to Know
Complete guide to ketamine therapy: history, pharmacology, NMDA mechanism, treatment routes, conditions treated, safety, legal status, and 2026 research.
How Ketamine Works in the Brain: A Complete Neuroscience Guide
How ketamine works in the brain, step by step: NMDA blockade, glutamate surge, AMPA activation, BDNF release, and the synaptic rewiring behind rapid effects.
Set and Setting: How Environment Influences Ketamine Therapy Outcomes
How set (mindset) and setting (environment) shape ketamine therapy outcomes, with practical guidance on preparation, music, integration, and session design.
Ketamine and Neuroinflammation: Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms
An exploration of ketamine's anti-inflammatory properties, the link between neuroinflammation and depression, and how these mechanisms contribute to therapeutic effects.
The Default Mode Network and How Ketamine Treats Depression
How the default mode network (DMN) drives rumination in depression and how ketamine disrupts overactive DMN patterns to produce rapid antidepressant effects.
What Is Ketamine? A Complete Introduction to Ketamine Therapy
Learn what ketamine is, how it works, and why it has become a breakthrough treatment for depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
How Ketamine Works: A Detailed Scientific Explanation
How ketamine works in the brain step by step: NMDA blockade, glutamate surge, AMPA activation, BDNF release, mTOR signaling, and rapid new synapse formation.
A Complete History of Ketamine: From Anesthetic to Antidepressant
Ketamine history timeline: 1962 synthesis, Vietnam-era anesthetic, club drug years, the depression discovery, and FDA approval of Spravato — every date.
History of Ketamine
History of ketamine from 1962 synthesis to surgical anesthetic, Vietnam-era field use, club drug years, the depression discovery, and FDA approval of Spravato.