Short and Long-Term Effects of Ketamine

Ketamine, initially created for anesthetic purposes in a medical setting, has seen a transformation in its application. Scientists developed ketamine in the 1960s to relieve pain.

Today, ketamine is classified as a dissociative drug. This is because it can make people feel detached. Ketamine is sometimes used in medical settings for anesthesia and depression treatment therapy. However, the drug is addictive, and its recreational use and involvement in illegal activities, such as drug-related crimes, are dangerous.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine, recognized for its dissociative properties, functions both as a chronic pain reliever and a hallucinogen. The drug was first used in 1970 for anesthesia in people and animals. Since then, it has been illegally made and abused.

Ketamine induces trance-like and euphoric effects, contributing to its popularity as a party drug. It is classified as a date rape drug along with GHB and Rohypnol. This can make users feel disconnected from reality and experience memory problems.

Street Names

Frequently used street names include:

• Super C
• Vitamin K
• Super K
• Special K
• K

Effects of Ketamine

The effects of ketamine at low doses often result in making you feel happy and detached, commonly referred to as “k land.” Conversely, high doses of ketamine can lead to experiences characterized by an inability to move and vivid hallucinations, often described as a “k hole” experience or “falling into a k hole.”

The practice of injecting ketamine has grown in popularity due to the increased likelihood and intensity of entering a “k-hole” state. However, the recreational use of ketamine to induce this state, experience hallucinations, and enhance sexual drive has led to stricter regulations on its use, elevating its legal consequences in many countries.

At high doses, ketamine has been reported to cause out-of-body experiences in people, which include sensations of floating, severe disorientation, hysteria, and near-death experiences, all occurring while unable to move or speak.

Ketamine inhibits NMDA receptors in the brain, which are crucial for sensory perception, memory operations, and emotional responses. This blockade is what grants ketamine its potent analgesic effects, effectively reducing severe pain.

The most common negative effects include:

• Upset stomach and throwing up
• Blurred vision
• Proneness to urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Light-headedness
• Bewilderment
• Sleepiness
• Sensations of discomfort
• Bladder problems

Long-Term Side Effects of Ketamine

People who use ketamine may have difficulty with memory and thinking skills. This is especially true compared to those who use it less frequently or have completely stopped using it. Additionally, they may experience ongoing memory loss, attention issues, and episodic memory issues, such as forgetting significant dates or specific events.

Ketamine Therapy for Treatment of Depression

A study carried out by the United States National Institute of Mental Health in 2006 discovered that small quantities of ketamine had a substantial impact on treating depression in patients. Researchers gave a single dose of ketamine infusion to 10 American soldiers in a study. They reported feeling less despair and having fewer thoughts of suicide. Numerous instances have demonstrated similar outcomes with ketamine infusion treatment.

Ketamine treatment is faster than most antidepressants. The same dose that helps people with treatment-resistant depression can also cause symptoms similar to schizophrenia and a dissociative state.

Ketamine Abuse

Ketamine is very similar to PCP in how it’s made, but it’s only one-tenth as strong. It is made as a white powder or liquid and can be addictive with a high chance of misuse. Similarly, like numerous recreational drugs, it is often mixed with other substances like alcohol, MDMA, cocaine, stimulants, and caffeine.

Over half of the people who misuse ketamine say they have withdrawal symptoms like:

• Feeling very tired
• Acting mean or angry
• Yawning a lot
• Feeling mad
• Getting easily annoyed
• Feeling sad

Ketamine Addiction Treatment at White Oak Recovery Center

If you or someone you care about is addicted to ketamine, the first step is to talk to a medical professional. They can provide knowledgeable assistance for substance misuse and suggest a suitable treatment plan.

At White Oak Recovery Center, our program helps people grow and recover in a peaceful, supportive residential environment.

Our team at WORC knows that not treating mental health problems can cause alcohol or drug abuse. Our two-fold approach, called dual diagnosis treatment, treats each disorder individually, enhancing the chances of a sustained recovery.

Our compassionate treatment specialists are on hand to respond to any of your questions or concerns privately and at no cost. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance— reach out now.