Ketamine is a mixture of hydrochloride salt that produces a sedative effect in users. The drug is primarily used to induce general anesthesia or to maintain such during surgical procedures. Ketamine effects range and may include analgesia, anesthesia, hallucinations and changes in blood pressure. When the drug is used recreationally, it can produce out of body experiences hence the reason that Ketamine is referred to as a dissociative anasthesia.

If you abuse Ketamine and need help quitting, call our treatment helpline at 800-915-1270 (Who Answers?).

When Ketamine is used continuously such as through IV during surgical procedure, the short-term effects can be quite varied. An estimated 40% of users will experience at least some of the short-term effects of Ketamine when it is given to them in a hospital setting. These effects may include:

Delusions and hallucinations are common Ketamine side effects.

• delirium
• dizziness
• euphoria
• psychomotor retardation
• nightmares or vivid dreams
• delusions or illusions
• hallucinations
• impaired judgment
• tachycardia
• hypertension
• nausea and vomiting

Ketamine effects don’t necessarily stop when the drug injection stops. Many of the effects of Ketamine can linger on for many hours after the drug is no longer being used. Pain at the injection site is a common side effect when Ketamine is injected and when the drug is provided in high doses, tonic clonic movements are reported in as many as 10% of users.

Long Term Ketamine Effects

Recreational Ketamine users may experience a wide range of neurological side effects when using Ketamine for a prolonged period of time. There are no medical uses in which Ketamine is provided chronically and therefore, any long-term effects of Ketamine are those which have developed in chronic recreational users or in animals during scientific testing.

Cognitive impairment, memory problems and inability to properly see or talk can result from long-term Ketamine abuse. In a large-scale, longitudinal study, Ketamine was found to increase depression and to cause severe verbal, short-term memory and visual memory problems in users who abused the drug at least 4 days per week. Infrequent Ketamine use has fewer long-term side-effects. Studies suggest that using Ketamine infrequently does not pose serious risks of cognitive deficit but this does not make Ketamine safe by any means.

How Ketamine Tolerance & Withdrawal Effects Drive Continued Drug Use

Ketamine can also impact the urinary tract. The effects of Ketamine on the urinary tract may include irritation and urge incontinence. Decreased bladder compliance and decreased bladder volume are also possible in users who consistently abuse Ketamine. The continued use of Ketamine can cause other adverse reactions of effects on the urinary tract including inflammatory infiltration of the renal papilla or blood in the urine.

Ketamine will make the user feel as if he or she is tired and could cause blackouts. When a user has taken Ketamine in a large dose, the effects could be that of being in a “k-hole.” K-Hole is the term used to describe the out-of-body experience that a user experiences when a large amount of Ketamine is taken. This can include delusions, misconception about the body, hallucinations or a near death experience.

The odorless drug is often used by sexual predators to induce a sense of amnesia that allows they to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Sexual assaults that occur when the individual is under the influence of Ketamine are called date-rape.

To learn more about  Ketamine effects, or for help finding a treatment program, call 800-915-1270 (Who Answers?).