The intensity and duration of the drug’s effects depend on the dosage and method of use. Ketamine — also known as Special K — is a dissociative drug that makes people feel out of control or detached from reality. The hallucinogen causes tolerance and cravings, but reports of ketamine dependence and addiction are rare. There are also lozenges and Spravato, the nasal spray which uses esketamine, to consider. Both are administered under supervision (either in an office or remotely on Zoom).
This is because the dosage can be extremely carefully controlled and the journey can be stopped at any moment. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence. People who use ketamine regularly can develop a tolerance to it, which could lead to them taking even more to get the effects they’re looking for. It’s impossible to tell whether the ketamine you buy has been cut with other substances by looking at it.
Can You Overdose On Ketamine?
But a different study from that same year found that the effects of a placebo and conventional antidepressants caught up to ketamine’s effects after seven days. But it’s a safe bet that ketamine offers some bang for your buck—if by “bang” you mean fairly stable relief from mental anguish. There has been a marked increase in exposure and interest for this novel therapy, as you can see in the Google Trends chart here. Ketamine has been in a state of heightened media frenzy ever since the FDA approved the ketamine-derived nasal spray Spravato for treatment-resistant depression in March of 2019. Since then, ketamine has been investigated as a helpful treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and slow news days.
- If a person becomes psychologically addicted to ketamine, they may eventually develop a tolerance, particularly after prolonged misuse.
- Because of its addictive nature, this drug is more commonly used in veterinary clinics to sedate animals.
- Ketamine also causes long-term damage to the bladder and urinary tract that can result in a condition known as ketamine bladder syndrome.
- One 2019 study found the heightened effects of ketamine started within minutes and lasted for at least a month after the session.
Ketamine has side effects like drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination and judgment, bladder problems, and more. The buzz can last around for 30 minutes to an hour, but the effects really depend on how much you take. When snorted, ketamine normally takes about 15 minutes to take effect. When taken orally, it will take longer, around 20 minutes to an hour. Some people ‘bomb’ it, which is swallowing the powder wrapped in a cigarette paper.
What Happens During a Ketamine Overdose?
When used with opioids, ketamine has been shown to reduce opioid use owing to its dose-sparing effect. Furthermore, compared with opioids, which, when misused, can cause respiratory depression leading to death, low-dose ketamine is a safer option as it does not affect the respiratory system. “Against the background of the opioid epidemic, the time for ketamine, a nonopioid drug, is now,” said Janakan Krishnarajah, iX’s COO.
In recent years, ketamine has increasingly been used as an antidepressant to treat TRD — considered off-label use. Ketamine delivered in low doses can provide rapid relief of TRD lasting for days to weeks. Usually, it’s given in decreasing frequency over several weeks, starting with two doses a week for 2 to 3 weeks, then once weekly, then once monthly and then hopefully tapering off. Response rates as high as 70% have been observed in clinical trials involving regular infusions. Currently, there are no long-term studies about the effects of ketamine as opposed to many conventional antidepressants. But then again, literally no treatment is 100 percent effective at curing depression—except perhaps puppies (but this is personal conjecture as no clinical studies have been done yet).
Recreational use dosage forms
Ketamine is a novel and exciting part of the treatment but it’s the therapy that can really lead to lasting change beyond the neural rewiring. Whichever method you’re considering, by far, the most important part of the process is the role ketamine addiction played by a mental health professional. Whether this is a psychiatrist, therapist, or integration coach, make sure this is an individual you feel safe around. There are also some concerns over risks to the liver, bladder, and kidney.
- Read on to explore the effects of ketamine, signs of ketamine use disorder, and insights on how to get help if you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine use.
- It means that the effects are felt within minutes and may last for a week to a month.
- Widely known for its medicinal properties, ketamine’s effects have made it a popular addition to the party scene.
