This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more One day, depression might be combatted by sitting back on the settee and taking a slow-release ketamine tablet (Image: Getty Images) Clinical researchers have unearthed startling findings regarding the medicinal values of the regulated Class B party drug and equine tranquilliser, ketamine; discovering its potential to treat depression "within days" while manifesting limited side effects. Most anti-depressants take weeks to take effect, while having a series of unpleasant side effects, but a small dose of "special K" could one day be just what the doctor ordered.
This phase two trial bolsters an expanding body of research delving into the recreational and veterinary drug's application as an anti-depressant. The trial involved administrating moderate 120mg and 180mg doses of Ketamine in pill form to 168 subjects, facilitating at-home intake due to its slow-release nature - a major change from the present norm of two hours of close observation in a clinical setting. The study, published in Nature, concluded that the slow-release variant of the compound effectively mitigates depression across all age and gender demographics, though it appeared more beneficial for women and younger individuals partaking in the trial.
Adding to a growing body of research of the Class B substance's medicinal utilities, researchers found that many patients had a better response to higher d.
