Ketamine seems promising as an alternative to current antidepressants. Most SSRIs can take weeks to kick in and may involve unpleasant side effects like agitation and weight gain. A study done in 2006 showed that ketamine can relieve symptoms of depression after only a few hours, with minimal, bothersome side effects. Relief from symptoms was also long lasting.
There are a number of options for treating depression but ketamine is becoming a common method that proves to be effective.