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Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Ketamine Therapy for ADHD
Learn about how ketamine therapy may be used as a treatment for ADHD, examine the latest research, and consider how it might fit into a comprehensive care strategy.
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What Is ADHD and How is it Treated?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that typically begins in childhood. However, it can persist into adolescence and adulthood if not managed effectively. The key characteristics of ADHD include:
- Inattention: Difficulty maintaining focus, frequently losing items, or struggling with organisation.
- Hyperactivity: Constant motion, restlessness, or feeling “on the go.”
- Impulsivity: Hasty actions or interruptions in conversation, without considering consequences.
Traditional treatments usually involve medications such as methylphenidate or dexamfetamine prescriptions alongside counselling. These drugs often help regulate attention and impulse control. But for some people, side effects, limited effectiveness, or concerns about dependency can spur them to seek alternative solutions.
Why Could Ketamine Treatment Be An Alternative?
Ketamine Treatment for ADHD stands out for its rapid action and a distinct mechanism of tackling mood regulation, executive function, and focus. Unlike stimulants, ketamine primarily acts on the NMDA receptors in the brain, influencing the glutamate system.
This pathway can be associated with cognitive processes, learning, and memory. By modulating this system, ketamine may offer advantages for some people who haven’t achieved the desired results with traditional medications.
Ketamine’s Origins
Originally developed as an anaesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine became popular for its fast-acting dissociative properties. Medical professionals often used (and still use) it in both human and veterinary settings. More recently, researchers discovered ketamine’s potential to offer rapid relief in cases of treatment-resistant depression, making it a promising new agent in the mental health field.
Ketamine for ADHD
Ketamine is not yet approved specifically for ADHD in the UK, but ketamine therapy has shown promise for:
- Chronic Pain Management
- Addiction Treatment
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Mood Disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder)
- ADHD Symptom Management
Early clinical observations suggest that ketamine may help improve focus and executive function, potentially offering relief from ADHD’s hallmark challenges. As we learn more about how the way Ketamine impacts us through clinic trials, experiences such as James’s may become more common.
Our Associations
Key Potential Benefits
The full benefits of ketamine therapy are still being discovered, but as we learn more through clinical trials, the evidence is starting to build that it will have a role to play in helping people with mental health conditions.
- Rapid Symptom Relief: Ketamine may work faster than some stimulants, which can take days or weeks to show full benefits.
- Unique Mechanism of Action: While stimulants target dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, ketamine modulates glutamate pathways, providing a different angle on ADHD symptom relief.
- Mood Stabilisation: People with ADHD often struggle with comorbid issues such as anxiety or depression. Ketamine may help stabilise your mood, enhancing overall well-being.
- Reduced Reliance on Stimulants: For those sensitive to stimulant side effects (e.g., sleep disturbances, appetite suppression), ketamine might offer an alternative or complementary option.
Limitations and Considerations
It should be considered that many clinical trials are underway regarding the use of Ketamine, such as the large trial underway on its potential benefits for people with alcohol use disorder and the EDEN trial on its application for depression.
In the future we could see more developments on how the therapy may be of benefit for people with other mental health challenges such as anxiety and ADHD. At the moment we must be aware of the following considerations when combining ketamine therapy as an alternative treatment for ADHD.
- Lack of Long-Term Data: Much of the existing evidence is preliminary. Long-term studies are required to confirm effectiveness and safety.
- Potential for Misuse: Ketamine is a controlled substance. Proper supervision is essential to avoid abuse.
- Cost and Accessibility: Many insurance providers don’t yet cover ketamine infusion therapy for ADHD. This can make it financially challenging for some.
- Close Monitoring Needed: Side effects like dissociation, dizziness, and elevated heart rate call for professional oversight.
How Ketamine Might Help ADHD Symptoms
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist, which means it blocks these receptors from being activated by glutamate, a neurotransmitter tied to learning and memory. By altering glutamate function, ketamine can:
- Encourage the growth of new synapses (neural connections)
- Improve cognitive flexibility and attention
- Potentially support executive functions like organising and planning
The Dopamine Connection
Though ketamine primarily acts on glutamate pathways, it may indirectly impact dopamine, a key player in ADHD. Many ADHD symptoms arise from insufficient or dysregulated dopamine signalling. By influencing pathways upstream, ketamine might help balance these chemical messengers, improving:
- Motivation and focus
- Emotional regulation
- Impulse control
IV Infusion Therapy
One common approach is intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion. Ketamine treatments are carried out by a trained medical professional at Eulas, who administers a controlled dose through an IV drip in our clinical setting. Each session can last between 40 minutes and a couple of hours, during which patients are closely monitored for any changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or other adverse effects.
Pros:
- Allows for precise dosing and close medical supervision.
- Typically rapid onset of symptom relief.
Cons:
- Can be time-consuming and costly.
- Requires travel to a clinic and may involve multiple sessions.
Nasal Spray Ketamine
One common approach is intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion. Ketamine treatments are carried out by a trained medical professional at Eulas, who administers a controlled dose through an IV drip in our clinical setting. Each session can last between 40 minutes and a couple of hours, during which patients are closely monitored for any changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or other adverse effects.
Pros:
- Allows for precise dosing and close medical supervision.
- Typically rapid onset of symptom relief.
Cons:
- Can be time-consuming and costly.
- Requires travel to a clinic and may involve multiple sessions.
Enquire About Treatment Today
Eulas Clinic, we pride ourselves on being Scotland’s first psychedelic addiction treatment centre, offering safe, effective, and empathetic care. If you’re ready to explore how ketamine treatment in Glasgow could benefit you or a loved one, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
Efficacy and Clinical Evidence
Preliminary clinical findings and case reports suggest ketamine might:
- Improve concentration in adults with ADHD
- Alleviate co-occurring depressive or anxious symptoms
- Offer rapid relief within hours instead of weeks
However, these studies often have small sample sizes. Larger randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm ketamine’s long-term efficacy and safety profile.
To keep up with the most recent advances, you can check Ongoing Ketamine ADHD Studies on ClinicalTrials.gov and on Be Part of Research. Here, you’ll find updated information on recruitment for trials and published results that might provide new insights into ketamine’s role in ADHD care.