Often used as a horse tranquiliser because of its strong ability to anaesthetise such a large animal, ketamine has become a recreational drug and causes serious and disabling bladder problems in humans, which can lead to having the bladder surgically removed and it can also destroy the kidneys.
Ketamine is a cyclohexanone-derived general anaesthetic and NMDA receptor antagonist with analgesic and hallucinogenic properties, used medically for anaesthesia, depression and pain management.
Ketamine is usually cut with other substances to increase the sellers profits. This increases the risk of the user suffering negative side-effects and overdose. Sugars (e.g. lactose), talcum powder, paracetamol and caffeine are a few of the substances that can be found in the final product.
When taken as a recreational drug, ketamine is swallowed, snorted or injected or smoked with cannabis or tobacco.
The street names for ketamine include ‘Vitamin K’ (not to be mistaken for the actual vitamin found in food), ‘Special K’, ‘Super K’, ‘K’, ‘Green’, ‘Donkey Dust’, ‘Ket’ or ‘Wonk’.
A person may feel the effects of ketamine within 5-10 minutes if the drug is snorted. When ketamine is taken orally, it can take between 20 minutes to an hour to feel the full effects. Accidental overdose can happen if the user has to wait longer than 30 minutes for any effect as they may believe they need more.
Ketamine is an addictive dissociative anaesthetic which creates a detachment of the mind from the body and is chemically related to phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust). Ketamine cystitis (ketamine bladder syndrome) is a common debilitating and irreversible side-effect as is schizophrenia.
Side effects of ketamine
- Analgesia, numbness
- Ataxia (loss of motor coordination)
- Cardiovascular effects, including hypertension and tachycardia
- Confusion, disorientation
- Dissociation of mind from body
- Distortion or loss of sensory perceptions (common)
- Euphoria
- Hypersalivation
- Increase in energy
- Increase in heart rate
- Nausea
- Open- and closed-eye visual hallucinations
- Out-of-body experience
- Respiratory depression
- Sedation
- Shifts in perception of reality
- Significant change in perception of time
- Slurred speech
People enter an ‘emergent state’ when they take ketamine which starts with feelings of being unable to move, followed by the feeling of disconnection from physical sensations and sometimes hallucinations.
Some people may experience a “K-hole” which is a trip-like experience that varies from person to person. During a “K-hole” they may feel like their mind and body has separated which can be unpleasant and frightening.
Dangers of ketamine
Ketamine is especially dangerous for anyone with pre-existing heart or blood pressure issues because it increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It is also highly dangerous for anyone at risk of having a stroke.
WARNING: Using ketamine along with other depressant drugs including alcohol, benzodiazepines, pain killers or heroin can result in an overdose leading to a coma, heart failure, stroke and death.
Side effects of ketamine
- Anxiety
- Delusions
- Disturbing thoughts
- Hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
Ketamine reduces the brain’s ability to feel pain, which can lead to serious injury when under the influence This could result in hospital admission or even be fatal. ketamine can make any pre-existing mental health conditions worsen.
The use of ketamine can result in the following conditions:
- Bladder damage
- Brain damage
- Inability to make decisions
- Incontinence
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Loss of attention and focus abilities
- Memory loss
- Mental health issues
- Painful urination
- Stomach cramps
The serious damage caused to the bladder, kidneys and liver can happen after just four months of regular use.
Withdrawal from ketamine abuse
Although ketamine is mainly mentally addictive there can be physical withdrawal symptoms for some individuals.
Psychological symptoms of ketamine withdrawal
- Aggression
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Depression
- insomnia
- irritability
- Paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
Physical symptoms of ketamine withdrawal
- Fast heart rate
- Impaired vision
- Increased sweating
- Stomach cramps
- Urinary system pain
- Temporary hearing loss
Related subjects
- Addiction
- Alcohol dangers
- Digestive disorders
- Kidney disorders
- Medications
- Neurological disorders
- Recreational drugs
- Tobacco dangers
- Urinary system disorders
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