What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used on both humans and animals for over 52 years and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States in 1970.  Because Ketamine does not slow patients’ breathing or circulatory systems, it rapidly gained popularity among the medical community as both a surgical anesthetic and pain killer. It has only been in the last 15 years or so that Ketamine was found to offer impressive results in treating severe chronic depression.  Ketamine is classified as a Class III drug and should only be administered under a doctor’s care following strict dosing guidelines. Experts believe that Ketamine may be the biggest breakthrough in decades in the treatment of severe depression and mood disorders.