Can high doses of ketamine temporarily switch off the brain?

Written by Sharon Salt, Senior Editor

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has identified two brain phenomena that may explain some of the side effects observed from ketamine. The study measured the brain waves of sheep sedated by the drug and could help to elucidate the out-of-body experience and state of complete oblivion it can cause. Although ketamine has been proposed as a new treatment option for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, very little is known about its effects on brain function. The team used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure immediate changes in the animals’ brain waves once ketamine was administered. They reported that low frequency...

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