With a five-fold increase in consumption in ten years in France, ketamine is on the radar of addictologists and the Anti-Narcotics Office. The dangers are known: damage to the nasal septums, risk of stroke, urinary complications… not to mention hallucinogenic episodes, which sometimes last for several days.
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But the molecule is also popular with practitioners keen to treat depression and suicidal episodes in their patients. “In a treatment that includes ketamine, researchers have found that these patients will be more receptive to positive suggestions, and that this can help defuse a suicidal crisis,” explains Victor Garcia, journalist at L’Express, in this video where he tells the story behind the scenes of his investigation.