Almost a third of all people with depression are faced with a dilemma: neither psychotherapy nor antidepressants help. The new hope is ketamine – as a nasal spray or infusion. But access to this narcotic, which is notorious as a party drug, is like a hurdle race in Switzerland. Can drugs help against depression? "Puls" shows how. ???? Subscribe now to SRF Wissen on YouTube ???? / @srfwissen ⏰ A new episode of "Puls" every Monday Digital First at 5:30 p.m. More about the video –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– New hope for those resistant to treatment The symptoms of depression can often be alleviated with psychotherapy or medication. But this does not bring the hoped-for improvement to all those affected: around 30 percent of all people with depression are considered resistant to treatment. Ketamine has proven to be an alternative with a good response rate. Ketamine was approved as an anesthetic in 1970 and is still used today in emergency situations and as a horse anesthetic. Ketamine treatment is carried out as an infusion or as a nasal spray and is offered in many clinics in Switzerland. Getting out of the emotional hole One of the greatest advantages of ketamine: It gets people out of their deep, emotional hole. This is also what Melanie and Sabine experience, who were no longer able to cope with everyday life due to their depression. While Melanie receives ketamine infusions, Sabine is treated with the ketamine nasal spray "Spravato", which has been approved in Switzerland since 2020. Both describe the effect as life-changing. Party drug as depression therapy In high doses, ketamine can cause dissociative or hallucinogenic states, which has earned it the dubious reputation as a party drug. Access to ketamine therapy in Switzerland is correspondingly difficult. The nasal spray is subject to controlled dispensing and may only be used in the presence of a doctor. In order to be able to bill this treatment through basic insurance, a cost approval from the health insurance company is also required. The ketamine infusion is not covered by the health insurance company. "Puls" chat on the topic of "Ketamine in depression therapy" Prof. Gregor Hasler from Fribourg, Prof. Anne Brühl from Basel and the chief physician of the Psychiatric Services Aargau, Maxim Zavorotnyy, have not only researched ketamine themselves, they also know a lot about its use in everyday clinical practice. All three are recognized experts on the subject of depression in general and answer questions in the live chat. ► https://www.srf.ch/article/166548542 ???? Watch directly: 00:00 Introduction 02:13 The suffering of those affected 05:36 Ketamine therapy 08:00 Hallucinogenic effects of ketamine 08:55 What is the connection between hallucinogenic and antidepressant effects? 10:34 Puls Chat 11:00 Ketamine and the glutamate system 13:31 Ketamine as a nasal spray 16:54 Direct comparison of interventional vs. nasal spray 17:57 Does ketamine have addictive potential? ________________________ ◾ Director: Thorsten Stecher ◾ Editor: Nicole Westenfelder ◾ Moderation: Tama Vakeesan © 2024 SRF ________________________ This is Puls: The health magazine "Puls" reports up-to-date and in-depth on topics from the fields of medicine, psychology, nutrition and fitness. "Puls" asks critical questions about proven effects and side effects. The focus is on the concrete benefit for the audience. A new episode of "Puls" every Monday at 5:30 p.m. ???? Would you like to suggest a topic to us? Then write us your wish in the comments ✍ MORE KNOWLEDGE, EVERY WEEK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ???? Subscribe to SRF Wissen on YouTube now and activate the bell: ► https://www.youtube.com/srfwissen?sub... ???? More knowledge can be found here: ???? Knowledge to read: https://www.srf.ch/wissen ???? Knowledge to listen to: https://www.srf.ch/audio/themen/wissen ???? Knowledge to watch: https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/themen/wis... ________________________ ????Channel info: Discover, experience, understand, be amazed – that is SRF Wissen on YouTube. Here you will find fascinating videos from the subject areas of knowledge & science, environment & sustainability and health, nature & animals. All bundled on one channel. ______ Social Media Netiquette from SRF: ► https://www.srf.ch/social-netiquette #SRFWissen #SRFPuls #Ketaminetherapy #WissenErleben #Gesundheitssendung #SRF #Doku