Ketamine Shown More Effective In Reducing Suicidal Thoughts Than Sedatives

A ketamine infusion as a treatment for suicidal ideation among people with depression was found, within 24 hours, to produce a greater reduction in clinically significant suicidal ideation, compared to people treated with the sedative midazolam.

The findings related to suicide risk reduction were reported in “Ketamine for Rapid Reduction of Suicidal Thoughts in Major Depression: A Midazolam-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial” by Michael F. Grunebaum, M.D.; Hanga C. Galfalvy, Ph.D.; Tse-Hwei Choo, M.P.H.; et al. The researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial with 80 adults with major depressive disorder who scored 4 or higher . . .