Ketamine: Benefits and Risks for Depression, PTSD & Neuroplasticity | Huberman Lab Podcast

Dosage & Efficacy

Understanding ketamine's dosage and efficacy is crucial for both clinical and recreational contexts. Andrew Huberman explains that ketamine produces dissociative effects at sub-anesthetic doses, with clinical studies often using intravenous or intramuscular injections of half a milligram per kilogram of body weight 1. This method ensures a higher percentage of active ketamine reaches the brain compared to oral or sublingual routes, where only 25% to 35% becomes metabolically active 1.

When people take ketamine orally, only 25% of the active form of ketamine makes it into the bloodstream.

--- Andrew Huberman

Recreational users often consume ketamine orally or sublingually, requiring higher doses to achieve similar effects due to lower bioavailability 1.

   

Administration Routes

The route of administration significantly impacts ketamine's effectiveness and safety. Intravenous and intramuscular injections are preferred in clinical settings for their precise dosing and rapid onset, while oral and sublingual methods are more common outside clinics 2. Huberman notes that the S form of ketamine is often used due to its potency and reduced dissociative effects compared to other forms 2.

The combined SR form of ketamine seems to be the most potent for relieving depressive symptoms.

--- Andrew Huberman

Despite the popularity of microdosing, there is no clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for depression treatment 2.