Author: Alex Thompson

Ketamine: Effects, Medical Uses, Risks

It is commonly administered intravenously (IV) in medical settings. Ketamine can also be taken orally in the form of pills, capsules, or troches (lozenges). Additionally, some people misuse ketamine by snorting or inhaling it, which is not safe and can lead to serious health risks. It is common for ketamine to be administered at a clinic by way of infusion treatments, also called an IV (intravenous) drip. In this method, the medicine bypasses the digestive system and directly enters the bloodstream.

She helps brands craft factual, yet relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences. Ketamine can disrupt the senses, judgment, and motor function for up to 24 hours after use. These effects have seen a growing and worrying use of this drug for date rape.

Treating depression

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. With Spravato, a person administers the medicine themselves under the supervision of a practitioner and stays in their care for a period of supervision. Operation of a vehicle or machinery, as well as other functions requiring uncompromised awareness of safety, should be avoided until the next day.

Treatment for ketamine addiction often involves some type of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy, family therapy, or group therapy. Ketamine addiction also makes it difficult for people to function as they normally do in their daily life and activities. If substance misuse disrupts work, school, and personal relationships, it can indicate a ketamine addiction. Off-label use means that your physician is using the drug for a purpose other than its approved use in anesthesia.

1. According to a 2014 review, ketamine for medical purposes is only used under the direct supervision of a trained health professional.
2. The cost of an infusion can vary widely and is typically paid out of pocket.
3. The appropriate method of administration (intravenous, oral, or sublingual) will be determined based on your individual needs and the purpose of the treatment.
4. Other clinics may recommend that patients continue their talk therapy elsewhere.

In this article, we’ll discuss ketamine’s medical uses, side effects, and more. Ketamine must be obtained and provided by a practitioner who has a license for use in therapeutic practice. Producing it at home or obtaining it other than from a practitioner is illegal. For a comprehensive description of physical and psychological side effects, read our Beginner’s Guide to Ketamine. Here are the basics of ketamine intake, its effects, and a few things everyone should know. Because several other trials indicate ketamine may have significant antianxiety effects, the authors encouraged future studies to explore this possible benefit more fully.

Why Do People Take Ketamine?

People who use it claim that a ketamine trip is superior to a PCP or LSD trip because it produces shorter-term hallucinations that last 30 minutes to an hour instead of several hours. Despite these positive results, the authors warn that data on the use of ketamine for this condition are limited, so practitioners should consider the risks of the drug before prescribing it. While ketamine is safe to use in controlled medical practice, it becomes hazardous if someone takes it for recreational use as it may result in potentially life-threatening adverse effects. Ketamine is a medication that doctors use as an anesthetic to induce loss of consciousness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, when injected, lethal doses of ketamine begin around 11 mg/kg of body weight. In addition, the FDA now recognizes the antidepressant benefits of ketamine when it is combined with oral depressants. While ketamine isn’t the most fatal of substances when used alone, developing an addiction to this drug can greatly affect quality of life. Recreational ketamine may be used alone or mixed with other illegal substances.

This medication is used for different types of anesthesia, including general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia. Mixing ketamine with other drugs can have unpredictable effects and increase the risk of harm. Where possible, the support of friends and family is also fundamental when recovering from ketamine addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist with changing the thought patterns that play a role in supporting drug use and addiction.

Standard antidepressants generally take several weeks to provide relief. A 2022 review found that long-term, high dose use of recreational ketamine may be linked to brain function-related side effects, mood disorders, and psychotic symptoms. In preparing to provide ketamine therapy, I am addressing the frequently asked questions about the benefits, use in mental health, and treatment plans available. These effects typically include feelings of euphoria, sedation, and changes in cognition, as well as hallucinations and dissociative experiences. Individuals who use ketamine may believe that it makes them more sociable and more empathetic to other people’s feelings.

Medical use dosage forms

However, follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions regarding dosing and food restrictions. Ketamine also causes individuals to have no memory of events that happen while they are under its influence. Due to this effect and its ability to sedate and incapacitate, some people use it as a date-rape drug.

This is designed to facilitate patients going into a state of deep meditation and relaxation. EEG studies have demonstrated that these types of music help organize the brain waves to match those of someone who is in deep meditation, promoting healing from traumatic memories (Wavepaths, 2022). The best way to take ketamine depends on your specific medical condition and the guidance of a healthcare professional. Ketamine should only be used as prescribed by a healthcare provider. The appropriate method of administration (intravenous, oral, or sublingual) will be determined based on your individual needs and the purpose of the treatment.

It also has positive effects for people with chronic pain and fewer side effects than other pain medications. When administered by a practitioner in a controlled environment using a variety of techniques, it can help patients heal by processing, overcoming, and releasing trauma. The FDA has warned that ketamine and compounded ketamine products aren’t approved to treat any psychiatric disorder. It may be an option for people who either haven’t been helped by antidepressant pills or who have major depressive disorder and are suicidal. As a psychiatrist and lifelong student, I am frequently researching advancements in mental health care and the best possible treatment plans available for my patients. My interest in exploring ketamine therapy as a practitioner started after learning about the success other practitioners were experiencing with patients suffering from trauma.

Inducing general anesthesia

Many clinical trials have barred people with substance use problems. In the brains of some people with depression, those nerve cells don’t get so excited by glutamate anymore. It’s as if the glutamate receptors – the catcher’s mitts – are deactivated or weakened. The antidepressant effects of ketamine wear off in hours, days, or a couple weeks in people who only get a single infusion. While taking an antidepressant or going to psychological counseling (psychotherapy) may work for most people, these standard treatments aren’t enough for others. Symptoms may not improve much or at all, or they may improve but keep coming back.