Ketamine’s development over the course of 65 years

Over the course of over 65 years, ketamine’s use has transitioned from an anesthetic to a groundbreaking treatment for patients with certain psychological disorders. Let’s dig deeper and learn more about ketamine’s initial use, and how its development led to it becoming an innovative treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, and more.

1956

In 1956, phencyclidine was found to be unsuitable for use as an anesthetic. As a result, Dr. Calvin Lee Stevens developed a synthetic version of the drug, which would eventually become known as ketamine. 

1964

In 1964, intravenous ketamine was administered to a human being for the first time.

1970

In 1970, ketamine was administered to soldiers who were injured during the Vietnam war.

1994

In 1994, clinical studies started to show that ketamine is useful for alleviating short-term pain, as well as its effectiveness when it comes to treating certain chronic pain syndromes.

2012

In 2012, researchers referred to ketamine as “the biggest breakthrough in depression research in half a century.”

2022

As of 2022, ketamine is slowly entering the mainstream conversation on treating certain psychological disorders. It has helped reduce the severity of symptoms for countless patients who struggle with mental illnesses such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and so many more.

Interested in ketamine therapy? Check out more information here.