When it comes to ketamine many might leap to thoughts of electronic music, psychedelic visions and out-of-body experiences. But new research has added to existing evidence that this party drug could be a safe, fast, and effective treatment for severe depression.

The new findings represent a glimmer of hope in cases where antidepressant medications, counseling and other therapies have failed to relieve depressive symptoms, and particularly for the elderly.

“These findings take us a big step forward as we begin to fully understand the potential and limitations of ketamine’s antidepressant qualities,” says lead researcher Colleen Loo from the University of New South Wales in Australia.

Also known as ‘Special K’ on the illicit drug scene, ketamine was developed as a fast-acting anaesthetic in the 1960s. Before making its way into clubs and music festivals, it was used to treat injured soldiers on the battlefield and children who suffered bad reactions to other anaesthetics.

Apart from relieving severe pain, ketamine is also a strong psychedelic that produces vivid hallucinations, euphoria, and out-of-body sensations. Soon after its release, the drug began showing up at dance parties and nightclubs almost as often as in hospitals. To read more from GEMMA CONROY, click here.