The document discusses ketamine, its mechanisms of action, current uses, and emerging concepts. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that blocks NMDA receptors and has effects on multiple other receptors and pathways involved in neuronal plasticity, synaptogenesis, and protein synthesis. It maintains hemodynamic stability and airway reflexes better than other anesthetics. Emerging research suggests ketamine may have long-term antidepressant effects through induction of neuroplasticity.