How did ketamine evolve from an anesthetic to one of the most important mental health treatment breakthroughs in decades? 

In this episode of The Vitals, guest host Dennis Charney, MD sits down with specialists James Murrough , MD, PhD, and Adriana Feder, MD, to explore the science behind ketamine treatment for depression and PTSD—and why it may offer hope for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies. 

The conversation traces the origins of ketamine research to the pioneering clinical work conducted at Mount Sinai. The doctors explain how ketamine differs from standard antidepressants, why it can work within hours instead of weeks, and how it is helping patients with treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thinking.  

The panel also discusses:  

• How ketamine became the FDA-approved treatment Spravato 
• Why researchers believe ketamine increases neuroplasticity in the brain 
• The growing evidence for ketamine in treating PTSD 
• How psychotherapy may enhance ketamine’s long-term effects 
• Why patients should not lose hope, even after years of severe symptoms 

To learn more about Mount Sinai’s Depression and Anxiety Center or to book an appointment with a Mount Sinai expert, visit the Mount Sinai Health System’s website: https://icahn.mssm.edu/research/depression-anxiety-center 

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