The Rise of Ketamine
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been available by prescription in the U.S. since the 1970s for human and veterinary uses. Prescription ketamine is available in a clear liquid or off-white powder form for intravenous injection or as a nasal spray.
Why do people abuse Ketamine?
Dissociative drugs can lead to distortion of sights, colors, sounds, self, and one's environment. Ketamine is often "snorted" up the nose, injected, mixed into drinks, or smoked with marijuana or tobacco. It is frequently abused in combination with other substances, such as cocaine, MDMA or amphetamines. Use with multiple drugs has been fatal.
The effects of abuse typically last 1 to 2 hours, but the user's judgment, senses and coordination may be affected for up to 24 hours or longer. Sensations the user may seek include floating, stimulation and visual effects. High doses may dangerously reduce breathing, lead to muscle spasms or weakness, dizziness, balance difficulty, impaired vision, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, and severe confusion.
Is it dangerous?
Ketamine, as with any drug used recreationally, will affect each person differently. The effects will depend on dosage, environment, state of mind, and whether you are mixing the drug with any other substances.
Abuse of large doses can also lead to powerful visual hallucinations that are intensified by environmental stimuli. Coma and deep unconsciousness can occur. When higher doses of ketamine are abused, or during emergence, it is reported to produce vivid dreams and an “out-of-body”, “K-hole” or “near-death” hallucinogenic experience, often reported as terrifying (similar to bad LSD trip).
With an overdose of ketamine, emergency care, such as 911, should be contacted immediately. An overdose can lead to unconsciousness and dangerously slowed breathing. There is no antidote for this drug.
Naloxone does not affect the action of Ketamine. Naloxone is specifically designed to counteract the effects of opioids by binding to opioid receptors. Since Ketamine acts on different receptors, naloxone will not aid in reversing an overdose.
As a reminder with trying any substances, start low and go slow! If you’re curious about Ketamine and need questions answered, reach out to us at Bee The Vibe! We will provide you with the information and resources to help keep you safe.