The Ketamine Papers

Edited by Phil Wolfson, M.D., and Glenn Hartelius, Ph.D.

From the Publisher: The Ketamine Papers opens the door to a broad understanding of this medicine’s growing use in psychiatry and its decades of history providing transformative personal experiences. Now gaining increasing recognition as a promising approach to the treatment of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological conditions, ketamine therapies offer new hope for patients and clinicians alike. With multiple routes of administration and practices ranging from anesthesia to psychotherapy, ketamine medicine is a diverse and rapidly growing field. The Ketamine Papers clarifies the issues and is an inspiring introduction to this powerful tool for healing and transformation—from its early use in the 1960s to its emerging role in the treatment of depression, suicidality, and other conditions. This comprehensive volume is the ideal introduction for patients and clinicians alike, and for anyone interested in the therapeutic and transformative healing power of this revolutionary medicine.

With contributions from:

• Steven P. Levine, M.D. • Stanislav Grof, M.D. • Richard Yensen, Ph.D.

• Ralph Metzner, Ph.D • Stanley Krippner, Ph.D. • Eli Kolp, M.D

• Harris L. Friedman, Ph.D. •Evgeny Krupitsky, M.D., Ph.D. • Karl Jansen, M.D.

• Mark Sylvester, M.D. • M. Scott Young, Ph.D. • Anna Kolp, B.A.

• Wesley C. Ryan, M.D. • Cole J. Marta, M.D. • Ralph J. Koek, M.D.

• Stephen J. Hyde, M.D. • Kenneth Ring, Ph.D. • Terrence S. Early, M.D.

• Jeffrey Becker, M.D • Phil Wolfson, M.D

Praise for the Book: “The Ketamine Papers illuminates the leading edge of the mainstreaming of the use of consciousness-changing drugs. This is a fascinating collection of papers that will provide the reader with unique insights into the future of psychiatry and psychotherapy.” — Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

“The Ketamine Papers is a valuable addition to our understanding of this medicine. Wolfson and Hartelius have cultivated an all-star lineup of ketamine experts to convey all the nuances of this exciting new paradigm in psychiatric treatment.” — Julie Holland, M.D., author of Moody Bitches, Weekends at Bellevue, and Ecstasy: The Complete Guide

“The Ketamine Papers is a landmark in consciousness research. The effectiveness of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has remained a relatively well-kept secret for decades, and this remarkable book brings it out of the shadows and into the light, where it can alleviate human suffering in a way that is unique and transformative.” –Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Saybrook University

“Taking in all the information about ketamine in this book will not fully satisfy your curiosity, nor completely subdue your concerns, but you will know far better how it is that this substance has so many different uses and effects, depending on set and setting, dose, method of ingestion, and intention of the patient as well as the practitioner. Here are wonderful first-person stories, both inspiring and cautionary, technical papers detailing specific results, and both sides of the major controversies between therapist/researchers—each committed to the best ways to maximize ketamine’s benefits. The book is an invaluable resource.” — James Fadiman, Ph.D., psychedelic researcher and author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic and Sacred Journeys

About the Editors: Phil Wolfson, M.D., is Principal Investigator for a MAPS-Sponsored Phase 2, FDA approved 18-person study of MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for individuals with significant anxiety due to life threatening illnesses. His clinical practice with ketamine has informed his role in the development of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Phil is a sixties activist, psychiatrist/psychotherapist, writer, practicing Buddhist and psychonaut who has lived in the Bay Area for 38 years. He is the author of Noe: A Father-Son Song of Love, Life, Illness, and Death (2011, North Atlantic Books). In the 1980s, he participated in clinical research with MDMA (ecstasy). He has been awarded five patents for unique herbal medicines. He is a journalist and author of numerous articles on politics, transformation, psychedelics, consciousness and spirit, and was a founding member of the Heffter Research Institute. Phil has taught in the graduate psychology programs at JFK University, CIIS and the UCSF School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry.

Glenn Hartelius, Ph.D. is Founding Director of the Ph.D. in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, where he serves as Associate Professor. He is also leading an initiative to develop a new research facility at CIIS for research in whole person neuroscience. Glenn is main editor for the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, a peer-reviewed academic journal. He is co-editor of The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Transpersonal Psychology, and Secretary of the International Transpersonal Association. His research on the definition and scope of transpersonal psychology has helped to define the field. He is developing a model of attention and how to manage it in lived experience that is designed to simplify complex skills such as meditation, sustained focus, and leadership presence. He has also taught at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Naropa University, Saybrook University, and Middlesex University in the UK.

ISBN-13: 0-9982765-0-2