Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that has gained attention for its potential to treat symptoms of depression, including in people with bipolar disorder.

Clinical-grade ketamine may help improve treatment-resistant bipolar depression. But ketamine’s effects on bipolar disorder vary, and it is not yet a first-line treatment.

Using unprescribed ketamine — including for recreational use — can be unsafe. If you’re considering ketamine as a treatment for bipolar disorder, it’s important to work with a qualified healthcare professional.

Most research on ketamine for bipolar disorder focuses on its potential for treating bipolar depression rather than manic or mixed episodes.

According to a 2021 research review, some studies suggest that ketamine works by targeting glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to work, ketamine may provide relief within hours.

A 2022 article concluded that ketamine could be an effective treatment for bipolar-related depression by affecting the brain’s biochemistry, enhancing the effects of talk therapy, and supporting psychological and spiritual exploration.

Additionally, another 2021 review found that even a single dose of ketamine can reduce suicidal ideation in people with major depression or bipolar disorder.

A 2023 review found that ketamine could be a helpful adjunct treatment — in other words, it can be used along with conventional psychiatric medication — to treat acute cases of bipolar depression.

Another 2023 review reported that ketamine infusions led to significant improvements in depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder, with some participants experiencing relief for up to 14 days.

The same review concluded that ketamine might reduce suicidality in people with bipolar disorder, although the authors noted that this needs to be studied further.

This research is promising. However, researchers are still exploring the long-term effects of ketamine on bipolar disorder, as well as its impact on mania, mixed episodes, and overall mood stability.

According to the studies mentioned above, ketamine is effective for treating bipolar disorder for several reasons.

The potential benefits include:

  • fast depression relief
  • improved talk therapy
  • a reduction of suicidal thoughts
  • a soothing of anxiety
  • a reduction of anhedonia (a lack of joy and pleasure)

Ketamine may have the following advantages over conventional medication:

  • Less likely to trigger mania: Standard antidepressants might trigger mania in bipolar disorder. Ketamine might be less likely to trigger mania, though more research is needed.
  • Faster relief: Unlike traditional medication, which can take days or weeks to work, ketamine offers almost immediate relief.
  • Effective for treatment-resistant bipolar depression: Ketamine treatment is an option for people who haven’t experienced relief with traditional therapies.

It’s important to note that self-medicating with ketamine or using ketamine recreationally might not have these same benefits.

These benefits are specific to medically supervised ketamine treatments, such as intravenous (IV) infusions, nasal sprays, or other controlled forms prescribed by healthcare professionals.

While ketamine may be beneficial for some people with bipolar disorder, it also carries risks, especially when used outside of a clinical setting.

Possible side effects of clinical ketamine treatment include:

  • dissociation (an “out of body” experience)
  • increased blood pressure
  • nausea
  • short-term cognitive effects

Risks of unprescribed ketamine use include:

  • worsening mood instability
  • substance use disorder
  • bladder and kidney damage, especially with long-term ketamine use

Since ketamine can have unpredictable effects, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before considering treatment.

If you’re interested in ketamine treatment for bipolar disorder, a healthcare professional specializing in mood disorders can help determine whether it’s a good option for you.

Some mental health clinics and hospitals offer ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression.

Places to find a healthcare professional for ketamine therapy include:

A healthcare professional like a therapist or general practitioner might be able to suggest a local clinic or center where you can access ketamine therapy.

The following articles cover more info about ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy:

Ketamine shows promise as a potential treatment for bipolar depression, particularly for people who haven’t responded to other medications.

However, it isn’t considered a first-line treatment, and its long-term effects on bipolar disorder remain under investigation.

If you’re considering ketamine therapy, talk with a healthcare professional to weigh the benefits and risks and explore other treatment options.