CLAIM: Ketamine can help manage symptoms of depression
FACT: Ketamine is an anaesthetic with growing evidence supporting its potential to combat treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but the drug is not yet FDA-approved for psychiatric applications. Its off-label use requires medical supervision due to potential risks and side effects.
With Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk quickly gaining prominence in the newly elected Trump administration, social media is rife with references to his earlier claims about using ketamine to manage his depression.
In March 2024, in an interview with journalist Don Lemon, Musk revealed that he takes small amounts of ketamine every two weeks under medical prescription to alleviate negative mental states similar to depression. This came after The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk took ketamine recreationally, and Musk himself took to X to speak about using the anaesthetic.
He told Lemon that he hoped by speaking out about the drug that it might “help other people.”
The reason I posted about ketamine (at some personal risk) is that I thought it might help people struggling with bouts of depression.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2024
In my opinion, it is a far better solution than being zombified by SSRI’s.
“There are times when I have a sort of negative chemical state in my brain, like depression, I guess—depression that’s not linked to any negative news. Ketamine is helpful for getting one out of a negative frame of mind,” he said, while not revealing much about the specifics.
“The reason why I mentioned ketamine prescription on the X platform, was because I thought ‘maybe this is something that can help other people,” he said.
“Obviously, I’m not a doctor, but I would say if somebody has depression issues, they should consider talking to their doctor about ketamine instead of SSRIs.” He was referring to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are also used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
With Trump coming back to power, Musk has already been nominated for the role of co-head in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and will be handling the regulation of excess expenses of the federal government in the next four years.
As Musk’s influence is set to grow in the new administration, social media users have been quick to remind people of his ketamine use; for instance, see here. First Check decided to take a closer look at his claims, to sift facts from fiction.
What is ketamine?
Ketamine hydrochloride, a medication developed over 50 years ago, is a widely used anaesthetic approved by the FDA. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, it is classified as a Schedule III non-narcotic substance and has established medical applications.
However, ketamine has also gained notoriety as a recreational drug known for inducing hallucinations and a sense of detachment.
In recent decades, researchers have been exploring ketamine’s potential therapeutic benefits for various mental health conditions, including depression, substance abuse disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety.
Ketamine infusion therapy, which involves administering the medication intravenously, has been the primary focus of studies examining its psychiatric applications.
Ketamine therapy is promising for treating depression, according to a 2021 expert review published in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Although evidence supporting ketamine’s therapeutic benefits is growing, it is yet to receive FDA approval for psychiatric applications. Nevertheless, licensed healthcare professionals can prescribe ketamine for off-label use.
What the experts say about ketamine
“Ketamine can be used to treat depression, especially treatment-resistant depression, where conventional antidepressants are ineffective. It is also sometimes used for acute suicidal ideation,” Dr Sourav Avi, a psychiatrist based in New Delhi, who has an experience of seven years in this field, told First Check in a written response.
He highlighted its rapid action: “Unlike common antidepressants like SSRIs, which take weeks to work, ketamine provides quick relief in crisis situations such as acute suicidality.”
Ketamine works by acting on the brain’s glutamate system. According to Dr Avi, “It has complex and multifold actions—it not only brings rapid improvement by acting on glutamate but also aids in forming new neuronal connections and reducing brain inflammation, leading to lasting effects.”
However, Dr. Avi emphasized that ketamine must be used with caution and under medical guidance. “As it is primarily an anaesthetic, a lot can go wrong quickly if not administered by a psychiatrist trained in its use. Ketamine can cause a rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which must be carefully monitored during treatment,” he warned. He added that psychological side effects, such as out-of-body experiences or distorted perceptions, could be distressing but are manageable with professional support.
To ensure the safe and effective use of ketamine, Dr. Avi underscored the importance of proper training for psychiatrists, strict regulation of clinics, and ongoing research, particularly on Indian populations. “We need local and national guidelines to facilitate this promising treatment, along with greater awareness among patients and professionals,” he concluded.
Hence, ketamine offers hope for individuals with treatment-resistant depression or acute suicidal ideation, providing rapid relief where traditional antidepressants often fall short. However, its use must be carefully regulated and supervised by trained professionals to ensure safety and efficacy.
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.
