A new trial to treat depression has been given the green light in New Zealand. 

Ketamine has been used as a treatment around the world in recent years, the drug showing short-term benefits. 

Otago University is running the trial, combining liquid, slower-release ketamine with psychotherapy in an effort to achieve long term results.  

The trial is eight weeks long, half the group receiving both ketamine and psychotherapy and the other half only receiving the drug. 

Senior Lecturer Dr Ben Beaglehole told Mike Hosking that this is a treatment, not a cure. 

He said that depression is a long term problem with factors that they won't be able to reverse with medication or short-term psychotherapy, but they’re looking to see if the short-term benefits of the drug can be prolonged. 

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