Ketamine is a decades-old anesthetic that at low doses can ease severe, hard-to-treat depression and reduce suicidal thoughts within hours. Evidence is weaker for pain, bipolar depression, trauma, and heavy drinking, and any healthy-aging benefit is unproven. Risks include temporary detachment, raised blood pressure, bladder damage, memory problems, and misuse. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resting blood pressure | <120/80 mmHg | Ketamine transiently raises blood pressure; identifies at-risk individuals |
| Resting heart rate | 50–70 bpm | Flags baseline cardiovascular strain before a sympathomimetic drug |
| Liver enzymes (ALT/AST) | ALT/AST ~10–25 U/L | Repeated infusions can stress the liver |
| Urinary symptom score (IPSS) | 0–7 (mild) | Screens for early ketamine-induced bladder damage |
| Fasting glucose | 70–85 mg/dL | Baseline metabolic health context for a longevity-oriented reader |
| hs-CRP | <1.0 mg/L | Baseline inflammation, relevant to mood response and healthy aging |
Cadence: Vitals before and during every session; symptom scales at baseline, 1 week, and 3 weeks, then every 1–3 months during maintenance; liver and urinary checks every few months on extended courses