Texas is poised to implement stringent new regulations on ketamine , a fast-acting sedative increasingly used to treat mental illness , sparking a fierce debate between medical authorities advocating for patient safety and providers concerned about limiting access to a vital therapy . The proposed rules, which include heightened physician oversight during administration and a ban on in-home use, are slated for publication on May 8, with the Texas Medical Board scheduled to vote on the changes in June. The move comes amid a surge in ketamine’s popularity, driven by its efficacy in treating conditions like depression and PTSD, but also by its easy accessibility through telehealth prescriptions and medical spas. This widespread availability has raised alarms among regulators and some medical professionals, who point to the drug’s potential for abuse and severe side effects. The death of actor Matthew Perry , linked to ketamine, has further amplified public awareness of its dangers.…