Depression can feel like a never-ending battle, especially when traditional treatments like talk therapy or antidepressants don’t seem to help. But a recent study from Australia is offering a spark of hope—using a familiar drug in a new way.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales have found that ketamine, a drug once known more for its use in surgeries and nightclubs, could be a powerful and affordable treatment for people living with treatment-resistant depression. That’s a form of depression where nothing else—medications, therapy, or even electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)—has worked.
What’s Different About This Study?
In this clinical trial, researchers tested a low-cost, generic version of ketamine. Instead of the more expensive brand-name versions (like Spravato), this generic form is already available in Australia and costs just a few dollars per dose.
The study involved 176 adults who had been struggling with major depression for at least three months. They had all tried other treatments without success. Participants were randomly given either the generic ketamine or a placebo (a similar-feeling drug called midazolam) over a four-week period.
Here’s how the treatment worked:
- Each person got two injections a week, just under the skin—not through an IV.
- They stayed in the clinic for two hours after each dose, until the temporary side effects wore off.
- Neither the participants nor the doctors knew who received ketamine or placebo, to keep the results fair and unbiased.
What Did They Find?
The results were pretty striking.
About 20% of the people who got ketamine had total remission from their depression—meaning their symptoms disappeared completely.
One-third saw their symptoms improve by at least 50%.
In comparison, only 2% of the placebo group reported full remission.
This kind of outcome is rare in people with treatment-resistant depression. According to Dr. Colleen Loo, the lead author of the study, these numbers show real promise: “For people who’ve tried everything else, a 20% remission rate is actually a big deal.”
Even better? The treatment was well tolerated, with few side effects beyond the mild, short-term drowsiness and feeling of detachment ketamine is known for.
Why This Matters
While ketamine isn’t new—it’s been around since the 1960s—this study proves it can be used safely and effectively outside of a hospital setting. And because it’s cheap and doesn’t require complex IV administration, it could be more accessible to people who can't afford other options.
Currently, esketamine (a patented form of ketamine sold as a nasal spray) is available in Australia and the US, but at a steep price—hundreds of dollars per dose, not including clinic fees. Generic ketamine, on the other hand, can cost as little as $3 to $5 per dose.
Researchers say the effects wear off after a few days or weeks, so ongoing treatment is likely needed. That’s why they’re calling for Medicare in Australia to approve the low-cost version for regular use.
The team is already planning longer-term studies to see how ketamine performs over time.
Source:
https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2023/07/ketamine-effective-treatm…
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiat…
https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/medical-ketamine-addiction/?itm_s…
https://newatlas.com/biology/magnetic-stimulation-depression-backwards-…
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