Ketamine & Depression: Risks & Elon Musk’s Use
- Ketamine, once relegated to nightclubs and veterinary clinics, is increasingly used to treat depression.
- A recent report alleged that Musk's ketamine use became excessive, potentially causing bladder problems, a known side effect of chronic use. This highlights the paradox of ketamine: a...
- Originally synthesized in the 1960s, ketamine is both an anesthetic and a hallucinogen.
Explore the critical intersection of ketamine and its impact on mental health.This burgeoning field is making waves as a depression treatment, but also stirs concerns about recreational use. Discover the potential benefits of ketamine therapy, and examine the inherent risks, including those associated with misuse, as highlighted by the case of Elon Musk. News Directory 3 offers you insight into how the drug, initially developed decades ago, has seen a rise in use. Understand the necessity of medical supervision and how rising popularity is changing the landscape. Uncover the latest studies, emerging trends, and expert perspectives on ketamine use. Discover what’s next …
Ketamine’s Dual Role: Depression Treatment and Rising Abuse Concerns
Updated June 09, 2025
Ketamine, once relegated to nightclubs and veterinary clinics, is increasingly used to treat depression. Elon Musk, for example, has said he uses ketamine every two weeks for depression, under a doctor’s prescription. However, alongside its therapeutic applications, concerns are growing about recreational ketamine use and potential abuse.
A recent report alleged that Musk’s ketamine use became excessive, potentially causing bladder problems, a known side effect of chronic use. This highlights the paradox of ketamine: a drug with legitimate medical uses that also carries risks of misuse and addiction. The rise in ketamine drug seizures and diverted prescriptions suggests a growing black market.
Originally synthesized in the 1960s, ketamine is both an anesthetic and a hallucinogen. It has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms, especially in treatment-resistant cases. Clinics offering intravenous ketamine infusions are gaining popularity, and the FDA approved a ketamine-derived nasal spray for depression in 2019.
However, recreational ketamine use is also on the rise, with users sometimes combining it with other drugs.This can lead to serious health consequences,including kidney and liver damage,memory loss,and paranoia.
Dr. Kevin yang, a psychiatry resident at the University of California-San Diego, emphasized the importance of medical supervision. “Ther is absolutely a role for ketamine to help peopel with depression and suicidal ideation,” Yang said. “Simultaneously occurring, that doesn’t meen it’s going to be safe and effective for everyone.”
Yang co-authored a study indicating that ketamine use in the U.S. increased considerably between 2015 and 2022, suggesting growth in both clinical and recreational use. While the overall number of users remains small (about 0.28% of the population in 2022), the trend is upward. The study also found increased ketamine use among white people and college graduates, frequently enough in combination with other recreational drugs.
Ketamine’s resurgence can be traced back to the 1980s and 90s when it gained popularity as a party drug. While mainstream scientists initially viewed it with skepticism, research in the 2000s began to demonstrate its potential in treating depression. This led to the development of ketamine-based treatments like Johnson & Johnson’s Spravato nasal spray, which received FDA approval in 2019. Spravato prescriptions doubled between early 2023 and late 2024. The number of ketamine infusion clinics has also exploded, from about 60 in 2015 to over 1,200 today.
For the 21 million Americans with major depression, increased access to ketamine could be beneficial, provided it’s used under medical supervision. Studies have shown that ketamine can rapidly improve depression symptoms in some patients.It is primarily recommended for those who haven’t responded to other treatments or who have severe suicidal thoughts.
However, providers must screen patients for substance use problems due to the risk of ketamine abuse. Outside of clinical settings, ketamine is often consumed as a