Glossary
Ketamine Therapy Glossary
A working vocabulary for ketamine therapy - mechanisms, treatments, clinical terms, and concepts referenced throughout Ketalux.
Medically reviewed by: Pending medical review(draft)Last updated: June 4, 2026Evidence: Educational reference
- AMPA receptor
- A glutamate receptor implicated in ketamine's downstream effects.
- BDNF
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor - a growth factor for neurons.
- Default mode network (DMN)
- A brain network active during self-referential thought.
- Dissociation
- A temporary altered sense of self, body, or surroundings.
- Ego dissolution
- A reduction in the felt sense of a bounded self.
- Esketamine (Spravato)
- FDA-approved S-enantiomer of ketamine, delivered intranasally.
- GAD-7
- A widely used self-report anxiety screening tool.
- Glutamate
- The brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter.
- Integration
- The work of translating session experiences into ongoing change.
- K-hole
- A colloquial term for deep dissociation at high recreational doses.
- Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)
- Ketamine dosing paired with structured therapy.
- Neuroplasticity
- The brain's capacity to reorganize structure and function.
- NMDA receptor
- A glutamate receptor central to ketamine's mechanism of action.
- PCL-5
- A self-report PTSD screening tool.
- PHQ-9
- A widely used self-report depression screening tool.
- Preparation
- The intentional work done before a ketamine session.
- Racemic ketamine
- The 50/50 mixture of R- and S-ketamine used off-label in most clinics.
- REMS
- FDA risk evaluation and mitigation strategy program.
- Routes of administration
- How ketamine is delivered: IV, IM, intranasal, sublingual, oral.
- Set and setting
- Internal state and external environment surrounding a session.
- SSRI
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor - a class of antidepressants.
- Synaptogenesis
- The formation of new synaptic connections.
- TMS
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation - non-invasive brain stimulation.
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Depression that has not responded adequately to standard treatments.
- Wavepaths
- Generative music platform designed for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Educational use only. The content on this page is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ketamine and related therapies carry risks and are appropriate only under qualified medical supervision. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional about your individual situation. Information may change as research evolves.