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The illegal drug helping shell-shocked Ukrainian soldiers to heal

Sam Kiley in Kyiv
Ukraine’s pioneering work with ketamine therapy taking soldiers to Valhalla on earth
  • Ukraine is using ketamine therapy to treat PTSD in its soldiers, offering a potentially faster recovery than traditional methods.
  • The therapy involves supervised ketamine sessions combined with intense therapy before, during, and after the drug experience.
  • Ketamine is believed to enhance neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to reprocess traumatic memories and potentially "rewire" itself.
  • Initial results suggest a 70 per cent success rate in treating PTSD with ketamine, though further research is needed.
  • The treatment's speed is crucial for Ukraine, as it allows soldiers to return to the front lines more quickly to fight Russia’s invasion.
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