When most people hear the word Ketamine, they think of a horse tranquilliser or a party drug. But this powerful substance has long been used in both medical and veterinary settings as an anaesthetic—and now, it’s making headlines for another reason: its potential to treat chronic health conditions and mental health disorders.
So, could Ketamine Therapy be the breakthrough chronic illness patients have been waiting for?
From Trauma to Treatment: Dr Bryan Henry’s Unlikely Journey
I recently came across an article that caught my attention. It featured Dr. Bryan Henry, a nurse practitioner turned medical researcher whose personal health journey led him to explore the cutting edge of chronic illness treatment, including Ketamine Therapy.
In 2006, Dr Henry was diagnosed with hypogonadism while recovering from a traumatic brain injury sustained during military service. Initially attributing his overwhelming fatigue to long ICU shifts, he soon realised something deeper was at play. Unfortunately, like many people with complex health needs, he struggled to find doctors in Virginia who would take his symptoms seriously.
Rather than give up, Dr Henry took matters into his own hands. He studied Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology, eventually earning a PhD and founding his private practice in 2015, all while working 80-hour weeks in intensive care.
Sound familiar?
This story mirrors what I hear daily from women living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Many are working full-time jobs, running households, and caring for their families—often without medical support, acknowledgement, or even basic pain relief.
Ketamine Therapy and Chronic Illness: What You Need to Know
Dr Henry is now among the growing number of practitioners exploring Ketamine Therapy—a treatment once reserved for emergency surgery, now being studied for its potential to treat depression, PTSD, chronic pain, and possibly even ME/CFS.
What is Ketamine Therapy?
In controlled settings, Ketamine is administered intravenously or orally under professional supervision. Patients enter a dissociative state, which alters perception and can help reset certain neural pathways. Research shows promise for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue conditions.
For patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, who often struggle to be prescribed even basic pain relief, hearing about options like Ketamine or Advanced Stem Cell Therapy can feel bittersweet. These treatments offer hope, but remain inaccessible for many.
Important note: While Ketamine shows potential, it’s not without risks. Long-term or high-dose use can lead to Ketamine Bladder Syndrome, causing bladder damage, incontinence, and chronic pain
📚 What Does the Research Say About Ketamine and ME/CFS?
While ketamine is best known for its use in treating depression and PTSD, a growing body of research is now exploring its potential to help those with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—particularly when it comes to fatigue and inflammation, two of the most debilitating aspects of the condition.
🧪 NIH-Led Clinical Trial
A recent proof-of-concept study by the National Institute of Nursing Research investigated how ketamine impacts fatigue in people with chronic illnesses, including ME/CFS. Participants received a single IV dose of ketamine, and researchers tracked their fatigue levels over two weeks. This is a crucial step in understanding whether ketamine could become a viable treatment for ME/CFS patients in the future.
📉 Promising Results from Related Studies
Other studies, such as one published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, found that ketamine significantly reduced fatigue in people with treatment-resistant bipolar depression, independent of its antidepressant effects. This strengthens the case for ketamine as a targeted anti-fatigue intervention.
👩⚕️ Clinical Observations
Clinics offering IV ketamine therapy have also reported anecdotal success in ME/CFS patients. According to Clarus Health, some patients experience reduced inflammation, improved cognitive clarity, and relief from comorbid depression. However, it’s important to note that these are clinical observations and not yet backed by large-scale trials.
While these early findings are exciting, ketamine is not yet an approved treatment for ME/CFS, and its use in this context remains experimental. But for many of us who live with this invisible, relentless illness, even the smallest spark of hope matters.
Is Ketamine the Future of Chronic Illness Treatment?
Perhaps. But it shouldn’t stop there.
As someone living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, I want to believe in new possibilities. Whether it’s CBD, medical cannabis, stem cells, or even microdosing psychedelics, I believe we need a radical shift in how we approach chronic illness and pain management.
We must begin treating people holistically—addressing not just symptoms, but the whole person. That includes everything we consume, every product we put on our skin, our mental wellbeing, and our environment.
Until medical professionals start listening, learning, and taking risks in a responsible, research-led way, too many of us will remain stuck.
If you’re curious about Dr Henry’s full story and how Ketamine changed his life, I encourage you to read the original article here:
🔗 Newsweek: From PTSD Diagnosis to Medical Trailblazer
Love Always
Alisha ❤️
If you are suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and need to talk, please get in touch My contact information is on the Contact Page
