Ketamine was approved by the FDA in 1970 as an anesthetic and analgesic and has been listed on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines since 1985. Ketamine is also prescribed off-label to treat a wide range of mental health issues.

Ketamine targets NMDA receptors in the brain, helping to "rehydrate" synapses that have been dried out by the chronic depletion caused by mood disorders. Blocking glutamate at these receptors allows for better conduction, while the influx of "feel-good" chemicals helps stabilize moods and alleviate chronic pain.