Ketamine Facts and Myths - Understanding the Risks

Ketamine: Separating Facts from Fiction

Ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic that has recently gained popularity as a recreational drug. Media stories about celebrity deaths linked to ketamine have also sparked renewed interest in this substance. But how much do you really know about ketamine? Let's explore some common myths and uncover the facts.

Myth: Ketamine is a New Drug

Fact: Ketamine has been around since the 1960s. It was originally synthesized in 1962 and approved for medical use in 1970. Ketamine quickly became popular as a battlefield anesthetic due to its ability to sedate and relieve pain while maintaining respiratory function. It is still routinely used for anesthesia, especially for injured patients who cannot tolerate normal sedatives.

Ketamine started being abused recreationally during the 1970s. Early ketamine use was mainly limited to medical professionals who had access to the drug. Recreational use grew over time as ketamine became diverted from legitimate sources. Today it is a widely used club drug.

Myth: Ketamine is Primarily a Horse Tranquilizer

Fact: While ketamine is indeed used in veterinary medicine to sedate large animals like horses, this represents only a small percentage of its clinical applications. The majority of ketamine is used for human anesthesia. Dose sizes and administration routes do vary between human and veterinary uses.

Referring to ketamine solely as a horse tranquilizer promotes a distorted perspective of the drug. In reality, ketamine has many legitimate medical purposes in humans when properly prescribed and dosed.

Myth: Snorting Ketamine is Safer Than Injecting It

Fact: There is no truly safe way to use ketamine recreationally. However, some methods like swallowing or snorting the drug are less risky than injecting it. Injection delivers a high dose quickly, increasing overdose danger.

Snorting ketamine avoids injection risks like wound infections, abscesses, hepatitis, HIV and overdose due to veins collapsing from repeated injections. However, snorting ketamine erodes nasal and sinus tissues leading to loss of smell, frequent nosebleeds, and nasal scarring.

Any non-medical ketamine use poses threats to physical and mental health. But snorting moderately probably has fewer risks than injecting unknown street ketamine intravenously in dangerously high doses.

Myth: Ketamine Causes a Feeling of Detachment From Reality

Fact: One of the hallmark effects of ketamine use is dissociation a sense of detachment or disconnection from oneself, one's body, or the external environment. At lower doses this manifests as feeling floaty or numb. Higher doses cause extreme dissociation including out-of-body experiences.

Users describe not feeling pain, emotions or even their own body. Some find the dissociative effects frightening or unpleasant. Others deliberately seek total sensory detachment as an escape from reality. But this dramatically alters consciousness and carries risks.

Myth: The Dissociative Effects of Ketamine Are Beneficial

Fact: While ketamines dissociative properties initially seem pleasurable to some, regular use can cause significant mental health problems. Chronic ketamine abuse has been linked to long-term cognitive deficits including:

• Memory loss
• Impaired concentration
• Difficulty learning and processing information
• Reduced awareness of surroundings

Ketamine may also worsen underlying mental illness such as depression or anxiety. And frequent entered into dissociative states can cause a person to become disconnected from reality even when sober. This can lead to dangerous behaviors.

Myth: Ketamine Does Not Cause Withdrawal Symptoms

Fact: Regular, heavy ketamine use often results in tolerance meaning more of the drug is required to get the same effect. When someone tries to quit using ketamine, withdrawal effects commonly occur including:

• Drug cravings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Physical discomfort

These symptoms may drive the person to resume ketamine use. Seeking medical help improves success in stopping the drug and overcoming addiction.

Myth: Ketamine Does Not Cause Long-Term Organ Damage

Fact: Over time, heavy ketamine use can take a toll on the body. Frequent ketamine abuse has been linked to:

• Severe bladder damage
• Stomach and kidney problems
• Liver toxicity
• Colitis
• Ulcers and pain swallowing
• Increased pressure in the brain

These effects highlight that ketamine is not just harmful to the mind but can also wreak havoc on physical health, especially internal organs. Stopping ketamine use may halt progression of damage.

Myth: The Only Risk of Overdose is Falling Into a K-Hole

Fact: Entering a K-hole is one risk of ketamine overdose. It refers to becoming immobilized and entering a near-coma state from an extremely high dose. Effects include vertigo, paralysis, loss of motor control, and complete disconnection from ones surroundings.

However, ketamine overdose can also slow breathing to dangerously low levels leading to brain damage or death due to lack of oxygen. This respiratory depression is the primary life-threatening effect of overdose. Having someone monitor you while on ketamine cannot prevent this.

Myth: Ketamine is Mainly Used at Raves and Nightclubs

Fact: While ketamine gained popularity as a club drug associated with rave culture, its use has expanded beyond nightlife settings. Chronic ketamine abuse often involves taking high doses alone rather than using smaller amounts recreationally in social contexts.

As ketamine addiction develops, obtaining and using the drug becomes a central focus regardless of location or occasion. Use may transition from weekends to a daily habit. However, ketamine does still commonly get used at parties, concerts and clubs due to its hallucinogenic effects.

Myth: Ketamine Use is Widespread Among Young People

Fact: Government survey data indicates that less than 2% of adolescents and young adults have ever used ketamine. It is considerably less popular than other club drugs like MDMA, cocaine, or prescription stimulants. However, limited access does not mean ketamine use is harmless or should be dismissed.

Ketamine abuse remains an important concern especially due to its severe effects on the bladder and urinary tract. And the potency of illicit ketamine means even first-time experimental use carries significant overdose risks if unknown doses are taken.

Myth: Special K is a Safer Form of Ketamine

Fact: Special K is simply a street term for illicit ketamine bought as a recreational drug rather than obtained legitimately. It carries just as much risk as pharmaceutical ketamine diversion. The powder form sold illegally is often less pure than medical grade ketamine.

It may be diluted or mixed with other unknown substances by drug dealers to increase profits. This further increases the chance of overdose due to inconsistent dosing. Any form of non-medical ketamine use is dangerous.

Health Risks of Ketamine Use

Ketamine affects multiple body systems both acutely and long-term. Adverse effects include:

• Impaired coordination, balance, cognition
• Slurred speech, confusion, delirium
• Respiratory depression
• Nausea, vomiting
• Involuntary eye movements, double vision
• Numbness, tingling, paralysis
• Tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia
• Urinary tract damage and pain
• Kidney dysfunction, liver damage
• Psychosis, flashbacks
• Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts

Combining ketamine with alcohol or other drugs intensifies adverse effects. Long-term impacts include ulcerative cystitis leading to bladder removal, cognitive deficits, and psychological addiction.

Warning Signs of Ketamine Addiction

Signs that recreational ketamine use may be progressing to addiction include:

• Increased tolerance, needing more to get high
• Taking alone and hiding use from others
• Preoccupation with obtaining ketamine
• Continued use despite physical harm
• Failure to fulfill roles due to use
• Using daily or almost daily
• Experiencing withdrawal if you stop
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit
• Obtaining ketamine becomes your priority
• Financial issues due to spending on ketamine

Addiction is marked by loss of control over drug use. Help is needed to break ketamine dependence before permanent damage occurs.

Getting Treatment for Ketamine Addiction

Professional substance abuse treatment offers the best chance of overcoming ketamine addiction. Treatment components may include:

• Detox - Gradually tapering ketamine dosage under medical supervision.
• Rehab - Individual and group counseling addresses psychological addiction.
• Aftercare - Ongoing recovery support and relapse prevention.
• Dual diagnosis - Concurrent mental health disorders are treated.
• Nutrition - Regaining physical health through proper diet.
• Lifestyle changes - Developing healthful habits and activities.

Entering a comprehensive treatment program can equip you with the tools to achieve lasting sobriety. Consult an addiction specialist to find the right treatment options for your situation.

Preventing Ketamine Abuse

To avoid the dangers of recreational ketamine use, keep the following in mind:

• Never use any form of ketamine without a legitimate medical need and doctors prescription.
• Avoid peer situations where ketamine use occurs.
• Get help for emotional struggles rather than self-medicating.
• Find fulfilling hobbies, activities and relationships.
• Learn about ketamine risks so you can make informed, healthy choices.

Making positive choices focused on overall wellbeing will help steer you away from destructive drug use. Surround yourself with people who support you in living a meaningful, drug-free life.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.