Substances | Ketamine
Synonyms
K, Keto, K-Hole, Special K, Vitamin K, Ketlar
Class
Depressant, Dissociative Anesthetic
Mechanism of action
Ketamine is a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and glutamate receptor antagonist, and has partial agonistic effect on opiate mu-receptors, creating its dissociative and anesthetic effects. Ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects are postulated to result from increased glutamate levels and synaptic activity. [1]
Medical use
Ketamine is approved for use as anesthesia, for management of fibromyalgia and other kinds of nerve pain, and for rapid or refractory depression treatment.
Administration routes
Oral
Intranasally “Snorting”
Intravenous (IV)
Intramuscular Injection
Effect
"Downer”
Causes a dream-like dissociative state, relaxes body and creates “happy chilled” sensation, dissociation can also include hallucinations and distorted perceptions of time and space
Safety Strategies
PO > Intranasal/Snorting > Intravenous (IV)
Coming soon..
Caution When Using Ketamine and Cocaine in Combination
Coming soon..
Hydration
Coming soon..
Vulnerability to Abuse
Coming soon..
Citations & Reading
[1] Rosenbaum SB, Gupta V, Palacios JL. Ketamine. [Updated 2020 Mar 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470357/