Today, ketamine is a safe, effective analgesic and a clinically proven treatment for persistent depression. Initially synthesized in 1962 by a chemistry professor and consultant for Parke-Davis, ketamine ultimately replaced phencyclidine (PCP) as the preferred anesthetic for individuals undergoing major operations. In 1970, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ketamine as an anesthetic so that Vietnam War soldiers injured on the battlefield could get rapid relief from pain.
Ketamine is a compound that often gets a bad rap due to misinformation. People refer to it as a horse tranquilizer, claim that it’s addictive, and have other unfounded concerns about ketamine — and they couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, ketamine infusion therapy is a highly effective treatment for several mental health conditions, including chronic depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. It has also been successful at helping address physical pain resulting from migraines, fibromyalgia, and more.