Ketamine

[Ally]

Did you know that ketamine is being considered to treat dyskinesia in people with Parkinson’s disease? Check out the latest flash briefing about a planned trial on ketamine for this purpose and let me know what you think! If this treatment were approved, would you take it? Do you have any reservations or concerns about ketamine? If you currently experience dyskinesia, what treatments have you tried in the past and how well did they work for you?

[Todd Kitten]

Hi Ally,

I haven’t experienced more than minor dyskinesia yet, but I expect that will change, so I’m excited to see a drug being tested to treat it. Ketamine is an interesting drug, and I’m surprised at how many uses it’s found. I first became aware of it as a veterinary anesthetic, usually given along with other drugs when used for that purpose.  Then, a few years ago, I heard a news story about it being tested as a treatment for PTSD. Now, dyskinesia. Great. It’s also relatively inexpensive. You could find some negative stories about it if you looked, but those are the result of misuse, so that doesn’t concern me. The only negative I see is that it’s given by injection, and I don’t think it’s long-lasting in its usual form. However, if it seems useful, maybe they will be able to formulate a slow-release version or deliver it through a pump, like insulin. It would be nice to have it as a treatment option.

[Ally]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Todd! I had heard of it being misused as party drug many years ago but I’m happy to hear that it has potential benefits for lots of illnesses and symptoms if it’s used properly. In that way it’s similar to MDMA, which has been effective in treating depression, anxiety and PTSD in microdoses.

[Author]

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