The Lancet, a medical journal in the UK, found ketamine to be much less harmful than alcohol when evaluated against 16 factors related to the harm produced by the drug (e.g., drug-specific damage) and the harm to others (e.g., loss of relationships).

Furthermore, to ensure ketamine is safe for an individual to use in a therapeutic setting, contraindications should always be accounted for prior to prescribing treatment. The best thing for someone who is interested in ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) to do is to be honest with clinicians who are helping to evaluate if KAT is appropriate. Below are a few examples of common contraindications that should be screened for:

• Medical history of heart problems
• History of high or low blood pressure
• History of brain or eye pressure
• Personal history or family history of manic or psychotic episodes
• Active depression, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia
• Active use of pharmaceutical medications

KAT is physically and psychologically safe when performed in a safe, conducive atmosphere with the guidance of qualified and licensed practitioners. 

Want to learn more and see if ketamine can support your mental health journey? Fill out a brief assessment and connect with a Curio clinician.

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Photo by Diana Polekhina