Huberman Lab Ketamine: Benefits and Risks for Depression, PTSD & Neuroplasticity
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Aug 7, 2023 Explore how ketamine rewires brain circuits to alleviate depression and PTSD. Learn about its effects on glutamate and opioid pathways that influence mood. Discover its rapid antidepressant properties and the different administration methods available. Delve into the risks of recreational use, including the infamous 'K-holes.' The episode highlights ketamine's evolution from street drug to clinical treatment, while questioning the effectiveness of traditional antidepressants in comparison.
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Monoamine Hypothesis Limitations
- The monoamine hypothesis of depression posits that deficiencies in serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine cause depression.
- However, there's little evidence supporting this, and drugs targeting these neurotransmitters only help some people.
Ketamine's Dual Nature
- Ketamine, similar to PCP, acts as a dissociative anesthetic.
- Its clinical use for depression and recreational use have increasing overlap, raising concerns about abuse potential.
Learned Helplessness Model
- Researchers use a "learned helplessness" model with rodents to study depression.
- This involves placing them in water and observing how long they swim before giving up, testing drug effects on their resilience.