Marta Martín Islas

Psicóloga e investigadora en Clínica Synaptica

Ketamine for anxiety: a simple guide to new findings

Anxiety disorders are increasingly prevalent and often respond poorly to standard treatments such as SSRIs or benzodiazepines. Growing evidence suggests ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may offer rapid relief, particularly in treatment-resistant anxiety. By modulating glutamate via NMDA and AMPA receptors, ketamine enhances neuroplasticity and may reduce pathological worry within hours or days.

Comparing intravenous vs. intramuscular ketamine therapy

Ketamine therapy can be delivered intravenously or intramuscularly, each offering distinct therapeutic experiences. IV administration provides gradual delivery, precise titration and close monitoring, often preferred in acute settings. IM administration offers rapid onset, high bioavailability and a more immersive experience, with simpler logistics and greater comfort for many patients. Research

Speakers for psychedelic-assisted therapy training 2025.

Meet the speakers of the training on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in Barcelona

Aquest article presenta els ponents de la formació en Psicoteràpia Assistida amb Ketamina que tindrà lloc a Barcelona el 2025. El programa reuneix professionals de referència internacional en psiquiatria, psicologia, neurociència i teràpies psicodèliques. Els formadors aporten dècades d’experiència clínica, recerca científica i desenvolupament de models terapèutics innovadors. Conèixer els

Microdosing psychedelics: potential benefits and current evidence

Microdosing psychedelics involves taking sub-perceptual doses of substances such as psilocybin or LSD with the aim of improving mood, cognition and emotional wellbeing. This article reviews current scientific evidence on microdosing, including proposed neurobiological mechanisms, potential benefits for depression and anxiety, cognitive and motivational effects, safety considerations and the role

Ketamine vs. psilocybin therapy: a comparative overview

This article compares ketamine and psilocybin-assisted therapies, outlining differences in legality, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, safety profiles and patient experience. Ketamine is legally available and offers rapid symptom relief through glutamatergic modulation, making it useful in acute depression and suicidality. Psilocybin, currently illegal outside trials in Spain, acts via

Group therapy in Barcelona

Group psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach in which individuals meet regularly with trained therapists to explore emotional challenges through shared experience and interaction. This article explains how group therapy works, the role of the therapist, and the unique benefits of peer support, feedback, and social learning. It also highlights the

Ketamine for chronic neuropathic pain

Chronic neuropathic pain is often severe, persistent, and poorly responsive to conventional treatments such as anti-inflammatories or opioids. Ketamine has emerged as a promising option by modulating NMDA receptors involved in pain perception and memory. Clinical studies show that ketamine can significantly reduce pain for weeks, particularly in complex neuropathic

When nothing else works: Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression

Treatment-resistant depression occurs when major depressive disorder does not respond to at least two adequate treatments, leading to prolonged suffering and functional impairment. Many patients fail to achieve full remission, despite multiple medication trials, increasing the risk of chronicity and hospitalization. Recent clinical evidence shows ketamine can produce rapid and

Ketamine in therapy: how does it work?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic synthesized in 1962 that has become a key compound in modern mental health research. Acting primarily as a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine increases glutamate signaling, promotes synaptogenesis, and enhances neuroplasticity. It also interacts with opioid, serotonergic, muscarinic, and adrenergic receptors, and increases BDNF expression.

Addiction in our society

Addiction is a complex condition influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, often associated with high relapse rates despite available treatments. Research shows that ketamine may offer a novel therapeutic approach by enhancing neuroplasticity, increasing BDNF expression, and reducing comorbid symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Evidence suggests ketamine-assisted interventions

Ketamine and depression: the first days of treatment

Depression is a complex disorder affecting mood, cognition, and physical health, and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Standard treatment combines antidepressant medication and psychotherapy, yet around one third of patients do not respond adequately. This has driven interest in alternatives such as ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with rapid

Psychology Dictionary

This glossary brings together key concepts from neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry related to depression, trauma, addiction, and psychedelic-assisted therapies. It clearly defines terms such as amygdala, anhedonia, neuroplasticity, ketamine, BDNF, and treatment-resistant depression, helping readers better understand scientific articles and therapeutic processes. Designed as an accessible reference, it aims to

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