For decades, ketamine has been viewed primarily through two lenses: a safe anesthetic or a rapid-acting antidepressant “reset button.” But a new paper by Sophie Holland argues we may be missing half the picture. This episode challenges the binary view of ketamine by exploring two distinct therapeutic pathways defined essentially by dose: the Psychedelic and the Psycholytic.

The discussion also tackles the debate over ketamine’s classification—is it truly a psychedelic? While chemically distinct from “classic” psychedelics like psilocybin, its ability to induce neuroplasticity (acting as a psychoplastogen) and non-ordinary states of consciousness places it firmly in the psychedelic therapeutic spectrum.

Finally, we look at the physical realities. With chronic high-dose use linked to ulcerative cystitis, does the low-dose psycholytic approach offer a safer, more sustainable model for long-term relational work?. We also touch on the frontier of “betterment of the well,” exploring how low-dose protocols might enhance creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving in healthy individuals.

Reference:

Holland, S. (2025). Ketamine reimagined: Distinguishing psychedelic and psycholytic modalities for next-generation therapies. Silva Wellness. DOI: 10.22541/au.176538434.48451693/v1

The post Ketamine Reimagined – Reset Button or Relational Tool? appeared first on Talking Ketamine Podcast.