The psychedelic medicine community was recently dealt a significant blow when the FDA blocked the progress of MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), requesting additional clinical trials before it can be reconsidered—a decision likely to delay MDMA approval by several years. For many, this news is disheartening. The anticipation around MDMA’s potential has been building as researchers, clinicians, and patients alike hoped for a new tool in the fight against severe trauma. However, while the delay is frustrating, it also highlights a crucial aspect of scientific progress: the need for stronger, more rigorous studies to support new treatment modalities.
The FDA’s decision reminds us that while new therapies can be promising, they must be supported by strong clinical evidence. It’s not enough to rely on early-phase trials or anecdotal success stories. To gain approval, therapies must demonstrate consistent, reproducible results across diverse populations. This can be a slow process, and setbacks like these are part of ensuring patient safety and efficacy. As Yale psychologist Phil Corlett aptly stated, 'When there is great promise and great need, we should maintain our standards, not lower them.'"
While the psychedelic medicine community faces this hurdle, it’s important to remember that we already have a legal, safe, and highly effective treatment for PTSD and mood disorders available today: ketamine therapy.
Ketamine has been extensively studied, with decades of clinical use backing its safety profile. In recent years, it has emerged as a powerful option for treating depression when used in low doses, as well as for anxiety disorders and PTSD, especially in patients who have not responded to traditional antidepressants. Research shows that up to 70% of patients experience a rapid improvement in symptoms after ketamine therapy, a statistic that is unmatched by many other treatments available today.
Ketamine offers a unique and effective approach to treating PTSD by acting on the brain in ways that differ from traditional antidepressants and talk therapies. It works primarily by targeting the brain’s NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which are part of the glutamate system. Glutamate is the brain’s most abundant neurotransmitter and plays a critical role in mood regulation, learning, and memory. In PTSD, the brain’s glutamate system can become dysregulated, leading to persistent symptoms like intrusive memories, hyperarousal, and emotional numbness.
By blocking the NMDA receptor, ketamine enhances glutamate activity, which promotes the growth of new neural connections (synaptogenesis) and restores healthy communication pathways in the brain. This effect is key to helping patients with PTSD process trauma more effectively and reduce the severity of their symptoms. Ketamine also enhances neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to rewire itself. For PTSD patients, this is crucial because it allows the brain to break free from rigid patterns associated with trauma, helping to facilitate emotional healing and cognitive flexibility.
PTSD often traps individuals in repetitive cycles of negative thoughts and traumatic memories. The dissociative properties of ketamine can temporarily disconnect patients from these ingrained patterns, allowing them to gain new perspectives on their trauma and open the door to more effective psychotherapy. Many patients report that ketamine therapy helps them “step back” from their trauma, reducing the emotional intensity and allowing them to approach healing with a clearer, more balanced mindset.
At Innerbloom, located in downtown San Luis Obispo, we specialize in IV ketamine therapy for those struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain. Our clinic follows a carefully designed protocol that prioritizes patient safety, comfort, and lasting therapeutic outcomes by incorporating psychotherapy into our treatment plan. With our dedicated medical team, including Dr. Ray Rivas, our licensed ketamine-assisted psychotherapist Cindy Nelson, LMFT, clinic manager Libby, and Eli the golden retriever therapy dog, we aim to create a welcoming environment for those seeking healing.
While the future of MDMA-assisted therapy remains uncertain, those suffering from PTSD and other mood disorders don’t have to wait for relief. Ketamine therapy offers a proven and effective option for those seeking to regain control of their mental health. If you or a loved one is struggling—help is available at Innerbloom.
Remember, scientific progress is rarely a straight line, but that doesn’t mean we have to stand still. By embracing the best available treatments today, we can continue to move forward toward a future where everyone has access to the mental health care they need.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Rivas, a former general and trauma surgeon with over a decade of experience utilizing ketamine, became a ketamine therapy specialist to treat mental health and pain after witnessing its profound impact on his hospital trauma patients and his own mental health. As the founder and medical director of Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy in San Luis Obispo, California, Dr. Rivas applies his extensive medical expertise to provide safe, evidence-based ketamine treatments for mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. His passion lies in helping patients find relief and rediscover hope through personalized, compassionate care.
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