KETAMINE

Ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic used in human and veterinary medicine that also has significant potential for abuse as a hallucinogen. Illicitly, it is commonly sold as a grainy white or off-white powder, often referred to by street names such as "Special K" or "Vitamin K". 

Ketamine powder can be snorted, mixed into drinks, or "bombed" (swallowed in a cigarette paper). Medically, it is administered as an injection, or in a derivative form (esketamine) as a nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression. 

Effects and Risks

Ketamine works by distorting perceptions of sight and sound and can cause a feeling of detachment from one's body and environment, which is known as dissociation. At high doses, users may experience an intense "K-hole," an out-of-body, near-death experience that can be frightening. 

Common effects and health risks include:

  • Physical Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, impaired motor function, slurred speech, nausea, and potential respiratory problems at high doses.

  • Mental Effects: Hallucinations, confusion, memory loss, anxiety, depression, and in some cases, psychosis.

  • Long-Term Complications: Chronic, heavy use is associated with serious bladder and kidney problems (e.g., ulcerative cystitis, painful and frequent urination), as well as abdominal pain known as "K-cramps".

  • Vulnerability: Due to its ability to cause sedation and amnesia, ketamine has been used by predators to facilitate sexual assault. 

The K-Hole Effect

A "k-hole" is how it feels when you take a high enough dose that both your environmental awareness and bodily control become very impaired. When someone has "fallen into a k-hole" (the slang term for this ketamine effect), they are temporarily unable to interact with others or the world around them

Legal Status

In the United States, ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. This means it has an accepted medical use but also a potential for abuse which may lead to moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Non-medical use and possession are illegal and can result in significant legal penalties. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine use, help is available. You can find support through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline or by speaking with a medical professional.