You may have heard ketamine referred to as a ‘horse tranquiliser’ or ‘special k’, and while the former is true, it’s used widely in the veterinary field for a range of animals. It’s also used in low doses as a strong general anaesthetic for humans during surgeries and treatments.
Developed in the early 1960s, ketamine was soon used as a ‘battlefield anaesthetic’ because, unlike opioids, it provided pain relief and sedation without significantly suppressing the respiratory system. While the usage of ketamine to treat mental health issues like treatment-resistant depression has also been explored, it’s not a licensed treatment for depression in the UK.
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic, which means it makes the user feel detached from their pain and environment. It can also cause hallucinations and this, along with its ability to make you feel relaxed, has led to increasing recreational use.
How Ketamine Affects the Human Body
Ketamine works by affecting the neurotransmitter glutamate. At high doses, it blocks NMDA receptors in the brain, producing its anaesthetic effects. At lower doses, this same NMDA receptor blockade enhances glutamate signalling, leading to hallucinations and altered perceptions.
Ketamine may also be responsible for rebuilding connections or synapses between neurons in the brain, which can sometimes be lost when a person suffers from depression. Some studies suggest that ketamine can have a short-term positive effect on individuals suffering with depression. And while there is established evidence of cognitive and psychological harm with chronic abuse, the long-term effects of ketamine use are still being studied.
‘Self-medicating’ with ketamine can be extremely dangerous and should never be attempted.
The physical effects of ketamine usually begin soon after taking the drug, and within a couple of minutes, users may experience an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure. These effects generally decrease over the following 10-20 minutes, which is what can lead to some users taking more than they need, increasing the risk of overdose.
Other physical effects that occur due to ketamine usage include:
- Stiffened muscles
- Rapid eye movements
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive saliva production
- Tears running from the eyes
- Unresponsive to external stimuli due to the dissociative state
Ketamine users who are still wholly or partially aware of their surroundings may also experience confusion and clumsiness, slurred speech, blurred vision, anxiety and panic. Ketamine may cause some people to feel nauseous or sick, with the dissociative state sometimes referred to by recreational users as falling into a ‘k-hole’.
What Are the Dangers of Ketamine Use?
Like most strong drugs, ketamine abuse has been linked to a long list of potential side effects. The NHS has reported that the following side-effects may be linked to ketamine infusion therapy, which is sometimes used as an alternate treatment to depression:
- Nausea / vomiting
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Increased blood pressure & heart rate
- Hallucinations and visions
- Mania
The research also notes that long-term ketamine use can cause liver damage and that illegal use of the drug outside of a clinical setting can lead to addiction. There is also the potential of a ketamine overdose occurring in individuals ‘self-medicating’, which in some cases, can lead to death.
A recent review of the limited scientific studies on the subject found that chronic ketamine abuse was linked with long-term cognitive impairment, certain mood disorders, and dissociative symptoms like psychosis. The authors also noted that “prolonged ketamine use may indeed negatively affect brain structure and functioning”.
Other long-term effects of ketamine use include:
- Flashbacks
- Liver and kidney problems
- Abdominal pain
- Ketamine Bladder Syndrome
Ketamine Bladder Syndrome is a painful condition that may require ongoing treatment, and can cause incontinence and lead to ulcers in the bladder.
Can Ketamine Kill You?
In short, ketamine overdoses are rare when the drug is taken alone, and deaths from ketamine alone are uncommon. And due to the minimal impact on airway reflexes and blood-circulation, the risk of death from using ketamine on its own is low compared to other drugs like opioids (which can restrict airways).
However, like all drugs, an overdose is possible and can be extremely dangerous, and ketamine can be particularly dangerous when taken with other substances. When used with stimulants like cocaine and ecstasy, the extra pressure can overload the heart. Taking ketamine with depressants, like alcohol or heroin, can quickly lead to unconsciousness, causing you to stop breathing or even suffocate on your own vomit. In some instances, though rare, people have been known to die of exposure outside or drown in the bath after taking ketamine.
Getting Help for Ketamine Addiction
If you are struggling with ketamine addiction, drug addiction or substance abuse issues, there is always help available. Organisations like Narcotics Anonymous can offer support, and mental health charity Mind has a good list of contacts and resources available in person, online or over the telephone.
Residential ketamine rehab can also be a very effective way to treat ketamine addiction. If you need help, contact us today or phone us on 01908 489 421 for confidential advice on the next steps to take.
