This article explains the key differences and similarities between ketamine and esketamine in the treatment of resistant depression. It reviews their shared glutamatergic mechanisms, distinct stereoisomeric forms, routes of administration and side effect profiles. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests racemic ketamine and R-ketamine may offer longer lasting antidepressant
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can use several routes of administration, each with different pharmacokinetic profiles. This article explains bioavailability and half-life, and compares intramuscular, intranasal and oral ketamine. Intramuscular administration offers very high bioavailability, rapid onset and longer half-life, while intranasal delivery has moderate bioavailability and shorter duration, and oral use shows
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain mushrooms with a long history of ritual use. Research shows it can alter perception, mood and sense of self, often producing meaningful or mystical experiences. Recent studies highlight potential benefits for depression, anxiety, addiction and grief, linked to temporary increases in
Following the success of the first edition, this second Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy training expands theoretical and experiential learning for health professionals. Level 1 in Barcelona offers five days covering neuroscience, clinical applications, preparation, integration and best practice. Level 2 adds an immersive experiential retreat in Montnegre Natural Park, inspired by long-running
Psilocybin-assisted therapy is emerging as a promising approach for depression, particularly treatment-resistant cases where standard antidepressants show limited efficacy and burdensome side effects. Research suggests psilocybin can produce rapid and sustained reductions in depressive symptoms, partly by enhancing neuroplasticity and facilitating meaningful psychological experiences. When embedded in a structured therapeutic
Music has played a central role in psychedelic practices for centuries and is now recognized as a key therapeutic component in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Research shows that psychedelics heighten emotional responsiveness to music, transforming it into an active guide for inner exploration. Carefully selected music can evoke deep emotions, access unconscious
José Carlos Bouso, psychologist and PhD in Pharmacology, reflects on the present and future of psychedelic therapy in an interview recorded during a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy training in Barcelona. He reviews the historical importance of psychedelic research in psychiatry, addresses current regulatory and sociopolitical challenges, and discusses the influence of the
Fear is a fundamental emotion that protects us, but when it becomes chronic it can lead to disorders such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Conventional treatments often show limited efficacy, prompting new approaches like MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Research promoted by Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and led by
During our recent Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy training, we had the privilege of welcoming Vladislav Matrenitsky, founder of Expio Clinic in Kyiv. A medical doctor and transpersonal psychotherapist, Dr. Matrenitsky integrates psychedelic medicine with non-Western traditions such as Qigong and Sufism. Since 2018, he has worked therapeutically with ketamine, with a special
Phil Wolfson, creator of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and director of the Ketamine Research Foundation, shares an in-depth reflection on his life, clinical work, and the future of psychedelic medicine. In this interview, recorded during the 2024 KAP training in Barcelona, Wolfson discusses ketamine’s unique therapeutic flexibility, the risks of over-medicalization,
Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a common and complex condition marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest, cognitive difficulties and physical symptoms. Diagnosis is usually based on manuals such as the DSM-V by the American Psychiatric Association and the ICD by the World Health Organization, yet many people
Phil Wolfson, creator of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and director of the Ketamine Research Foundation, shares his vision on the future of psychedelic psychotherapy in this in-depth interview. Drawing from decades of clinical practice and research, he reflects on ketamine’s unique therapeutic flexibility, the risks of over-regulation and corporatization, and the
Chronic pain is a complex condition lasting more than three months that affects millions of people and severely impacts quality of life. It includes multiple forms such as neuropathic, musculoskeletal, cancer-related and post-surgical pain, often without a clearly identifiable cause. Conventional treatments like anti-inflammatories and opioids show limited efficacy or
Suicidal ideation represents a major public health concern and requires rapid, effective intervention. Conventional treatments such as antidepressants and psychotherapy often act too slowly for high-risk patients. Recent clinical evidence shows that ketamine can significantly reduce suicidal ideation within hours or days, particularly in individuals with bipolar disorder. Randomized controlled
During the Spanish Society of Dual Pathology Congress in Seville, the “Psychedelic Track” highlighted emerging therapeutic uses of psychedelics in mental health. Three presentations by Joan Obiols, Medical Director of Clínica Synaptica, explored harm reduction through Kosmicare, the history of psychedelics in Spain, and the clinical foundations of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
The “Talk Openly about Mental Health” project brings mental health conversations into the public space of Gràcia, Barcelona, giving voice to lived experiences and professional perspectives. In the edition focused on mental health and drugs, Estefanía Moreno represented Clínica Synaptica with a talk on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. The event combined clinical
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