Ketamine: A Drug with Many Faces and Risks

Ketamine is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called dissociative anesthetics. It works by blocking a type of receptor in the brain called NMDA, which is involved in pain perception, memory, and learning. By blocking this receptor, ketamine can induce a state of unconsciousness, reduce pain, and alter the sense of reality. Ketamine can also affect other brain chemicals, such as dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate, which are involved in mood, cognition, and emotion.

Ketamine can be administered in different ways, such as by injection, nasal spray, or oral tablet. The dose, route, and frequency of administration can affect the onset, duration, and intensity of its effects. Ketamine can also interact with other substances, such as alcohol, opioids, and antidepressants, which can enhance or reduce its effects.

What are the medical uses of ketamine?

Ketamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a general anesthetic for surgical procedures that do not require muscle relaxation. It is especially useful for patients who have low blood pressure or breathing problems, as it does not depress the cardiovascular or respiratory systems as much as other anesthetics.

Ketamine has also been used off-label, meaning for purposes that are not approved by the FDA, for various conditions, such as:

• Chronic pain: Ketamine can provide relief for severe pain that does not respond to other treatments, such as opioids, especially for conditions such as trauma, fractures, abdominal pain, and nerve damage. Ketamine can also reduce opioid tolerance and dependence, which can help prevent addiction and overdose.
• Depression: Ketamine can rapidly improve symptoms of depression in people who do not respond well to other antidepressants, especially for those who have suicidal thoughts. Ketamine can act within hours or days, compared to weeks or months for conventional antidepressants. Ketamine can also enhance the effects of other antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
• Anxiety: Ketamine can reduce anxiety and improve quality of life in people who suffer from various anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Ketamine can also help people cope with stressful or traumatic events, such as cancer diagnosis, surgery, or bereavement.
• Addiction: Ketamine can help people overcome addiction to substances such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and nicotine, by reducing cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse rates. Ketamine can also help people change their negative thoughts and behaviors related to substance use, by enhancing their motivation, insight, and self-awareness.

What are the recreational uses and effects of ketamine?

Ketamine is also used as a recreational drug, often for its psychedelic effects. People who use ketamine recreationally may experience:

• Dissociation: Ketamine can make people feel detached from their body, their surroundings, and their sense of self. They may feel like they are floating, flying, or traveling to another dimension. They may also have hallucinations, such as seeing or hearing things that are not there, or having distorted perceptions of time and space.
• Euphoria: Ketamine can make people feel happy, relaxed, and confident. They may also feel more sociable, empathetic, and creative. They may have enhanced sensory experiences, such as vivid colors, sounds, and tastes.
• Sedation: Ketamine can make people feel calm, sleepy, and numb. They may also have difficulty moving, speaking, or thinking. They may lose awareness of their surroundings and their bodily functions.

The recreational effects of ketamine depend on the dose, the purity, the setting, and the individual’s mood, expectations, and tolerance. Some people may enjoy the effects of ketamine, while others may find them unpleasant, frightening, or confusing. The effects of ketamine usually last for about an hour, but they can linger for several hours or days.

What are the risks and side effects of ketamine?

Ketamine is not a harmless drug. It can cause various risks and side effects, both in the short term and in the long term, such as:

• Physical effects: Ketamine can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased breathing rate, muscle spasms, seizures, and coma. Ketamine can also damage the liver, kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract, especially with chronic or high-dose use. Ketamine can also impair the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections and diseases.
• Psychological effects: Ketamine can cause anxiety, panic, paranoia, confusion, memory loss, mood swings, depression, and psychosis. Ketamine can also trigger or worsen existing mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. Ketamine can also cause dissociative identity disorder, a condition where a person develops multiple personalities or alters.
• Behavioral effects: Ketamine can impair judgment, decision-making, and impulse control. Ketamine can also affect learning, attention, and concentration. Ketamine can also interfere with social, academic, and occupational functioning, leading to isolation, poor performance, and legal problems.
• Addiction: Ketamine can cause physical and psychological dependence, meaning that people need to take more of the drug to achieve the same effects, and that they experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. Ketamine can also cause tolerance, meaning that people need to take higher doses of the drug to achieve the same effects, and that they experience reduced effects from the same doses. Ketamine can also cause craving, meaning that people have a strong desire to use the drug, and that they spend a lot of time and money obtaining, using, and recovering from it.

What are the myths and facts about ketamine?

There are many myths and misconceptions about ketamine, such as:

• Myth: Ketamine is a safe and natural drug.
• Fact: Ketamine is a synthetic drug that can cause serious harm to the body and the mind. Ketamine is also not regulated or standardized, meaning that its purity, potency, and composition can vary widely, increasing the risk of overdose, poisoning, and contamination.
• Myth: Ketamine is a miracle cure for depression and other mental illnesses.
• Fact: Ketamine is not a magic bullet that can fix all mental health problems. Ketamine is only a temporary and experimental treatment that may not work for everyone, and that may have serious side effects and risks. Ketamine is also not a substitute for other forms of treatment, such as psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, which are essential for long-term recovery and well-being.
• Myth: Ketamine is a harmless and fun recreational drug.
• Fact: Ketamine is a dangerous and unpredictable recreational drug that can cause unpleasant and harmful effects, both in the short term and in the long term. Ketamine can also impair the ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other tasks that require alertness and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Ketamine can also expose people to legal, social, and personal problems, such as arrest, violence, theft, and loss of relationships.

Conclusion

Ketamine is a drug with many faces and risks. It can be used for medical purposes, such as anesthesia, pain relief, and depression treatment, but it can also be used for recreational purposes, such as psychedelic experiences and euphoria. Ketamine can have various effects and side effects, both positive and negative, depending on the dose, the route, and the individual. Ketamine can also cause various risks and complications, such as physical and psychological harm, addiction, and overdose. Therefore, ketamine should be used with caution, under medical supervision, and only for legitimate reasons.