Regardless of whether someone uses talk therapy or pharmacology, or a combination of the two to achieve relief from depression, ultimately, any relief they experience is the consequence of neural plasticity (also called neuroplasticity), which is essentially changes in the function of neural circuits in the brain and/or body. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was discovered for its role in promoting the growth, survival, and neuroplasticity of neurons, although it has other roles as well. As ketamine has emerged as a treatment for certain forms of depression, it has become clear that it works through several different mechanisms, including changing the amount of inhibition in the brain and rewiring neural circuits. Interestingly, recent findings suggest that ketamine metabolites may actually mimic some of the effects of BDNF by binding to its receptor (called trkB, which, for you aficionados, is a tyrosine kinase). To learn more about ketamine and its role in treating depression, as well as some of the risks associated with ketamine, especially recreational non-MD supervised use, see the new episode of the Huberman Lab podcast out now: hubermanlab.com/ketamine-ben…

New Huberman Lab podcast out now: KETAMINE: BENEFITS & RISKS FOR DEPRESSION, PTSD & NEUROPLASTICITY • How It Changes The Brain • Effects on the Opioid System • Biology of “K-Holes” • Dosage, R- vs. S- vs. R/S-Ketamine • Intranasal, Injectable, Troche hubermanlab.com/ketamine-ben…