Maybe soon can intro controlled LSD therapy

Intelligent Jill  

IMH has introduced ketamine therapy for patients with hard-to-treat depression.   While best known as a recreational party drug, the anaesthetic has increasingly been harnessed as a treatment for depression.   https://str.sg/cUhq   Full Details: IMH Launches Ketamine Therapy for Hard-to-Treat Depression   Source: The Straits Times / IMH official announcement (July 14, 2026)       📌 Overview   Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has introduced intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy as a new treatment option for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) — severe depression that has not responded to standard antidepressants, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).   Ketamine is legally used as an anaesthetic in hospitals globally, but is best known as an illicit recreational drug. Administered at controlled, sub‑anaesthetic doses under strict medical supervision, it works differently from common antidepressants like SSRIs, targeting glutamate receptors to repair brain connections and lift mood rapidly.       🎯 Eligibility & Criteria   - Reserved for adults with confirmed major depressive disorder who have failed at least 2 adequate trials of standard antidepressant treatment (correct dose + sufficient duration) - Also prioritises patients with acute suicidal ideation, given its fast‑acting effect  - Excludes those with uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe heart disease, active psychosis, or raised intracranial pressure       💉 How It Works & Protocol   - Administration: IV line delivers 0.5 mg/kg ketamine over 40 minutes; given on an outpatient basis - Acute course: 8 sessions total, twice a week for 4 weeks - Maintenance: After improvement, sessions are tapered to once every 1–4 weeks based on individual response - Monitoring: Vital signs tracked throughout; patients observed post‑infusion before discharge       📊 Early Results (Sep 2024 – Jun 2026)   - Of 13 initial patients, over half reported clear improvements in mood, energy, and reduced suicidal thoughts — matching global response rates of 35.7%–68% - Effects often appear within hours to days, compared to weeks for oral antidepressants       ⚠️ Safety & Regulation   - Classified as a controlled drug under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act; only prescribed and administered by specialist psychiatrists at IMH - Common mild, temporary side effects: dissociation, dizziness, nausea, headache, brief blood pressure rise  - Strict safeguards: secure storage, full audit trails, and medical staff on standby       ℹ️ Additional Info   - IMH’s service follows HSA’s 2020 approval of esketamine nasal spray for TRD; this IV programme expands available options - Referrals are via psychiatrists only; enquiries: 6389 2200 or visit www.imh.com.sg   🔗 Full report: https://str.sg/cUhq

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