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Clinical trial patient says ketamine treatment for bipolar depression changed his life

A University Health Network clinical trial published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry found ketamine infusions reduced depressive symptoms for more than 35 per cent of participants, compared to fewer than 12 per cent in the control group receiving benzodiazepine medication.
Psychiatrists previously excluded bipolar patients from ketamine treatment due to fears of triggering mania, but Dr. Joshua Rosenblat reported the infusions did not trigger mania, psychosis, or suicidality.
Greg Rennie, a 61-year-old with bipolar depression for 30 years, participated in the UHN trial and described feeling dissociated during his 40-minute infusion, eventually realizing the experience helped him visualize his condition.
Patients require maintenance sessions because symptoms returned after stopping infusions, leaving most unable to access treatment as provincial health insurance in Canada does not cover the $500-per-session cost.
Despite addiction concerns following Matthew Perry's death, research indicates most patients using ketamine for depression are not at high risk, with experts noting legitimate clinical infusions differ significantly from illicit use.

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