Ketamine is a medication developed in the 1960s, widely used in medical practice as an FDA-approved anesthetic for surgical procedures. It is classified as a dissociative, meaning it can induce a sense of detachment from one's environment, an "out of body" experience, and decreased sensitivity to pain. About 20 years ago, researchers discovered that ketamine has a remarkable ability to induce rapid neuroplasticity in the brain. This means it can quickly help form new connections that previously did not exist before. Since then, ketamine has been increasingly recognized in the psychiatric field as an innovative alternative to more traditional medications and treatments.