Insomnia involves persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep, impairing daytime functioning [1]. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime
- Waking frequently throughout the night
- Waking too early and being unable to fall back asleep
- Feeling unrested despite the time spent sleeping
- Daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating
- Irritability, anxiety or depression
Acute insomnia lasts days to weeks, often due to stressors. Chronic insomnia is ongoing for months or longer.
Ketamine has shown promise in treating insomnia, particularly when it co-occurs with psychiatric disorders like depression. Studies show it can increase slow-wave and REM sleep [2].
One analysis found a single low-dose ketamine infusion led to significantly improved sleep quality scores for up to 2 weeks in those with depression [3]. It also reduces anxiety and rumination before bed.
While research is still limited, ketamine’s ability to impact the brain’s arousal systems and rapidly reduce insomnia could make it a uniquely effective treatment option alongside cognitive behavioral therapy techniques [4].
References:
[1] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
[2] Mion G, Villevieille T. Ketamine Pharmacology: An Update (Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Aspects, Recent Findings). CNS Neurosci Ther. 2013;19(6):370-380. doi:10.1111/cns.12099
[3] Fava M, Freeman MP, Flynn M, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial of intravenous ketamine as adjunctive therapy in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Mol Psychiatry. 2021;26(7):2892-2906. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0256-5
[4] Feifel D. Low-dose ketamine: A therapeutic option ready for prime time. J Affect Disord. 2019;245:670-676. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.061