Ketamine

Ketamine often resembles a white or brown powder, similar to cocaine; however, it is also known to come in the form of tablets or a clear injectable liquid. 

As with taking any drug, a lack of knowledge can be dangerous. If you or anyone you know takes ketamine regularly, read the sections below and learn how can you reduce the risks. 

What Is Ketamine? 

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic with analgesic properties and hallucinogenic effects. Doctors and vets use it in liquid form to manage pain and produce surgical anaesthesia.  

Outside of medicine, ketamine is used for its hallucinogenic effects, particularly as a party drug. Use of the drug has fluctuated in the UK over the decades, with an all-time high occurring between 2019 and 2020. The most avid users were in the 16-24 age group. 

Side Effects (Short and Long Term) 

Being a general anaesthetic, Ketamine reduces sensations throughout the body. In the short term, taking it can produce a detached, dream-like feeling. It can make you feel happy and relaxed or confused and nauseous. The duration of a trip depends on how much is consumed, but typically a single high can last up to 30 minutes. 

Long term use of Ketamine can result in several consequences in relation to physical and mental health. Depression and memory loss are the most common mental side effects of long-term ketamine misuse. Other mental side effects include reduced attention spans, flashbacks and psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations. 

Risks 

Excessive ketamine use can cause serious bladder problems; the need to urinate can be constant and painful, potentially resulting in blood-stained urine. Long term use can cause bladder damage so severe that surgical repair or even bladder removal may be required. 

Liver damage has also been proven to be linked to heavy ketamine use. The liver carries out many vital functions, such as filtering harmful substances from your blood. 

Because of the reduced sensation in the body, someone who has used ketamine can be at risk of injuring themselves and not realising. 

Abdominal pains, known as ‘K-cramps,’ have been reported by many who have used Ketamine over extensive periods. 

Harm Reduction 

If you or someone close to you is going to use ketamine, there are precautions you can take that can help reduce the risks. 

Consider these harm reduction tips: 

• Try not to take ketamine alone; stay with a loved one or a trusted friend so they can intervene if something goes wrong. 

• Don’t eat within 2 hours before using. Taking ketamine on a full stomach puts you at risk of vomiting. 

• Avoid mixing with other substances. When mixed with other substances, the effects can be unpredictable. Find out more about how ketamine interacts with other substances at (insert link). 

• Drink water throughout, no more than a full pint per hour. This will reduce bladder damage. 

• If you are snorting ketamine, do not share your snorting equipment. Second hand or unclean apparatuses can put you at risk of contracting a blood borne virus. 

• Crush the powder fine. This helps reduce the risk of damaging your nasal passage. 

• Take it slowly; allow plenty of time between each use to see how the substance affects you.