02/27/2026
Chronic fatigue affects an estimated 3.3 million Americans, leaving many struggling with persistent exhaustion that makes daily tasks difficult. It’s especially common among people undergoing cancer treatment or living with chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, lupus, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
A new proof‑of‑concept study from Rutgers Health and the NIH suggests that ketamine — a decades‑old anesthetic and fast‑acting antidepressant — may offer rapid relief for some individuals experiencing chronic fatigue.
“Fatigue has always been ignored because it's so difficult to understand what's causing it,” says senior author Leorey Saligan of Rutgers School of Nursing and Rutgers Cancer Institute. He emphasizes that ketamine wouldn’t be a long‑term solution, but potentially a short-term “reset” that helps patients feel motivated enough to engage in proven, longer-lasting fatigue‑reducing strategies like exercise.
Learn more about the study and opportunities for expanding this line of research: go.rutgers.edu/locn8mvv