The Role of Belief in Ketamine's Antidepressant Effect

A study conducted by Stanford Medicine researchers found that both the ketamine and placebo groups showed significant improvements in depression symptoms, challenging conventional beliefs about ketamine's efficacy. The study administered ketamine or a placebo to participants during surgery to bypass ketamine's psychedelic effects. The unexpected results suggest the strong influence of positive expectations, or the placebo effect, on treatment outcomes. The research also raises the possibility of ketamine's benefits without the need for the associated psychedelic experience. Further studies are needed to understand the psychological factors involved in treatment and to differentiate between the pharmacological and psychological effects of ketamine.