The research Collin and Yuri are doing with ketamine somewhat parallels with the amobarbital therapy Abby uses for Jordan. Both barbiturates and ketamine have sedative-hypnotic properties, just through different mechanisms, barbiturates like amobarbital are GABA receptor agonists and ketamine is a NMDA receptor antagonist. However they both have a somewhat similar effect when it comes to lowering inhibition and allowing the subconscious to express itself more easily while under the drug's influence. Barbiturates have been studied for their use in psychotherapy since the 1950's, but research into ketamine's uses in both neurology and psychiatry are more recent, it wasn't until 2010 that serious research began into what Collin and Yuri were studying. That research has shown a lot of promise too, as of 2022 ketamine is under investigation for its use in treatment-resistant depression due to its ability to cause rapid and sustained neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to heal and rewire damaged neurons). Ketamine is also being studied to treat aspects of Parkinson's disease as well, a phase II clinical study showed that ketamine can safely and effectively reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's patients. Another phase II study is being done to test the use of ketamine as an antidepressant for patients with Parkinson's disease. Both are showing promising results.
The title refers to a joke in the Mel Brooks film "Young Frankenstein," when Igor puts an "abnormal" brain into the creature. When asked, he tells Frederick that the brain belonged to someone named "Abby Normal."
Aisha Hinds and Renee Victor both appear in this episode, also they were characters on Weeds.