Mental Health: At-Home Ketamine Assisted Therapy in Georgia

Ketamine assisted therapy or KAT, a novel approach that marries the potency of ketamine therapy, with traditional talk therapy, has risen in popularity for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Traditionally, the administration of ketamine required the expertise of trained medical professionals through intravenous or intramuscular routes. However, the associated costs and limited accessibility of these methods spurred a revolutionary concept: at-home therapies.

A groundbreaking study conducted by Hull et al. brought to light the real-world impact of ketamine assisted therapy. Encompassing 1247 patients with moderate–severe depression and severe anxiety, this prospective trial unfolded over four weeks. These patients embarked on a series of weekly KAT sessions utilizing sublingual ketamine administration — placing a tablet or troche under the tongue for absorption — and facilitated through communication with telehealth providers. The results unveiled that an astonishing 62.8% experienced a remarkable 50% or greater improvement in depression symptoms, mirrored by 62.9% experiencing a similar positive shift in anxiety symptoms. These figures represent more than just percentages; they symbolize renewed hope for those who have long battled in the shadows.

What does this mean?

This paradigm shift empowers patients to actively participate in their wellness journey. KAT exists with the goal of having the potential therapeutic benefits of ketamine easily accessible to work with talk therapy.