Esketamine FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression

The FDA approves intranasal esketamine (Spravato) for treatment-resistant depression. The first antidepressant with a fundamentally new mechanism of action in decades.

Psychedelic research has experienced a renaissance after decades of restrictions. Rigorous clinical trials have shown that substances like psilocybin and MDMA, combined with structured psychotherapy, can produce significant improvements in treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and addiction. The mechanism likely involves enhancement of neuronal plasticity and temporary increases in connectivity between brain networks.

The 2010s were the era of open science, the replication crisis, and data democratization. Psychology reinvented its methods and emerged as a leader in science reform. Meanwhile, social media transformed human relationships and raised new questions about mental health.

Significance: This milestone significantly contributed to the development of psychology as a science and profession, influencing research, clinical practice, or public policy.