In the 1980s, Ketamine began to be used as a highly sought-after recreational drug.  Referred to as a Club Drug, we know, What is a Club Drug? Hang-on. What is Ketamine? Known as “K” or Special-K, it is classified with other drugs such as Ecstasy, GHB, and Crystal Meth, as many club-goers frequently use these drugs to “enhance” their clubbing experience.

Ketamine is sold as a dry, white powder or a clear liquid.  The powder is made from the clear liquid by drying the liquid out.  The residue from the drying process is then crushed and snorted in small doses.  It can also be injected or smoked with tobacco or marijuana.  Whether smoked or snorted, the euphoric effects begin immediately (within a few minutes) and usually last less than an hour. In large doses, Ketamine produces effects similar to PCP.  Users report feeling as if they are in a dreamlike state and experience hallucinations.  Users describe feeling as if they are drunk, stoned, and tripping all at the same time. Ketamine drug addiction is possible through continued and sustained use.

Dangerous effects of Ketamine include the user being insensitive to physical pain. This could be dangerous if the person actually experiences a serious injury and does not seek treatment because they do not feel any pain and may not realize how serious the injury is.

As with other illegal drugs, it is difficult to determine a person’s reaction to a specific drug.  Some users report having a bad reaction to Ketamine.  The drug can impair a person’s judgment and ability to drive and cause violent paranoia, agitation, and confusion.  Users report being put in a state called a “k-hole,”; where they become unable to communicate or move.  These users report “feeling far away from their body” and describe this “k-hole” as having an out-of-body experience or near-death experience.  While some users may find this “state” thrilling, others find it very frightening and disturbing.  Because Ketamine can also render a person paralyzed, it is also very popular as a date rape drug.

One of the most dangerous aspects of Ketamine is that it is difficult to regulate the “dose.”  There is only a slight difference in dose between the desired euphoric effects of the drug and an actual overdose.  Ketamine is a depressant at high doses and can dangerously reduce a person’s heart rate and respiratory function.  When used with other substances such as alcohol, Valium, or GHB, the user may experience serious medical consequences. The use of Ketamine can also produce delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, or depression.  Between 1994 and 1998, there were a purported 46 deaths associated with use.

Although studies on the long-term effects are still being conducted, there has been some evidence to suggest that Ketamine can impair learning ability, attention, and memory.  Similar to other hallucinogenics, it can also cause severe flashbacks.  Frequent use in high doses can disrupt consciousness, which may lead to neurosis or other mental disorders.