Ketamine's 'mystical' effects fail to explain alcohol abstinence gains, study suggests
Medical Xpress
February 17, 2026
The psychedelic effects recreational users often seek from taking ketamine do not predict the therapeutic benefits for people being treated for alcohol use disorder. The popular theory, which says that ketamine may have its therapeutic benefits because it produces strong psychedelic effects, has been called into question by a new study from King's College London and the University of Exeter, published in Addiction. The study suggests the treatment response may be down to other effects of the drug.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/17/2026