Introduction
This 2023 feature from Project CBD examines a patient’s journey from federally approved medical cannabis use to integrating ketamine into their pain management regimen. It provides insight into ketamine’s emerging role as a versatile adjunct in managing chronic pain and mood disorders.
Key Points
- Patient-Centric Challenges: A federal medical marijuana patient highlights gaps in cannabis access and quality that necessitated exploring alternative therapies like ketamine.
- Pharmacodynamics of Ketamine: Ketamine’s NMDA receptor antagonism disrupts pain signaling and supports neuroplasticity, distinguishing it from traditional opioids and cannabinoids.
- Clinical Relevance: Evidence supports ketamine’s efficacy in acute and chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain, and its utility in addressing comorbid conditions such as treatment-resistant depression.
- Evolving Paradigms: The report situates ketamine within a broader conversation on the limitations of federal medical marijuana programs and the need for integrative pain management solutions.
Summary – The VitalPoint for Providers
Ketamine represents a promising, evidence-based option for managing chronic pain and psychiatric comorbidities. Healthcare providers should remain informed about ketamine protocols, potential risks, and its role in multimodal treatment frameworks. Explore more in the detailed analysis at Project CBD: Project CBD: MMJ to Special K https://projectcbd.org/psychedelic/mmj-special-k/