A new study from Columbia University brings hope to people struggling with severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
Researchers found that ketamine, a drug that has been used for decades in hospitals, can quickly reduce suicidal thoughts and help people think more clearly.
This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. It looked at 78 people who had been diagnosed with major depression and were also having strong suicidal thoughts. Each person received one standard dose of ketamine through an IV. The researchers checked how the participants were doing after 24 hours.
The results were encouraging. Many people felt less suicidal just one day after receiving the ketamine treatment. What’s even more interesting is that they could also think more clearly and solve problems better.
Their ability to think and make decisions improved, even if their overall depression symptoms didn’t change much. This shows that ketamine helps the brain work better during moments of crisis.
Dr. John Mann, who led the research, explained that ketamine works in a different way than traditional antidepressants. While most antidepressants can take weeks to show results, ketamine works much faster. That makes it helpful in emergency situations, like when someone is in serious danger of hurting themselves.
To understand how effective ketamine is, the researchers also gave a different drug called midazolam to a group of participants. Midazolam is a sedative that’s used for anxiety and depression.
However, ketamine showed much better results. It improved how people reasoned, made choices, and processed information—all of which are often affected in people who are thinking about suicide.
Suicide is a serious public health issue in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34 and the 10th leading cause overall.
Studies show that 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental illness, and about 60% are going through a major depressive episode when they try to take their life. Because of these facts, fast-acting treatments like ketamine are badly needed.
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not officially approved ketamine for treating suicidal thoughts, many treatment centers are already using it for this purpose. This is called “off-label” use, which means the drug is used in a way that is not yet approved by the FDA but may still be helpful.
This study helps scientists and doctors better understand how ketamine affects the brain. By helping people think more clearly, ketamine might lower the chances of someone acting on suicidal thoughts. In this way, ketamine could become an important tool for doctors who are trying to help patients during their darkest moments.
The fact that ketamine not only lowers suicidal thoughts but also improves thinking skills gives new hope. It shows that people in crisis can feel better quickly and take the first step toward recovery.
If you care about pain management, please read studies about Scientists find a new drug for chronic nerve pain and findings of Scientists find a new, less-invasive way to tackle knee pain.
If you care about pain, please read studies about Scientists find a new way to manage knee pain and findings of Promising new drug offers hope for chronic nerve pain relief.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
