How Do People Who Undergo Ketamine Treatment for a Psychiatric Problem Subjectively Experience This Intervention? A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.

This is a synthesis of subjective experience, not a test of whether ketamine works or how long effects last. The included studies varied widely in diagnoses, ketamine dose and route, setting, and whether psychotherapy was given, so the themes cannot be applied to one clinic without checking the local service. Some included papers were case reports or case series, and some reported participant feedback without systematic qualitative analysis. The included studies reflected poorly on the researchers' own influence on the data, which can shape themes. The synthesis mixed participant quotes with study authors' interpretations, so some themes may be partly the authors' framing. The paper does not report a total participant count across the included studies.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The supplied text does not state who funded the work.

Do not read the reported improvements in mood, anxiety, suicidality or daily functioning as proof that ketamine works. This paper synthesises subjective experience from heterogeneous qualitative studies and case reports, so it cannot separate the drug's effect from setting, therapy, expectation or natural change.