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  • Ketamine is a synthetic (human-made) substance with multiple medical uses. It’s also a popular recreational drug that is used illegally

    Many people refer to ketamine as a horse tranquilizer. However, this description isn’t completely accurate. 

    Is Ketamine A Horse Tranquilizer?

    Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. That means it makes you feel numb and detached from your environment. It also has sedating (calming) and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. 

    Typically administered via intramuscular injection, the drug can reduce discomfort or induce loss of consciousness during medical procedures. 

    Ketamine is approved for use in humans and other animals, including horses. Many veterinarians prefer to tranquilize horses with ketamine rather than gas-based agents like nitrous oxide. That’s because ketamine is easier to administer. 

    Is Ketamine Too Powerful For Humans?

    When you hear that ketamine can tranquilize horses, you might assume the drug is too powerful and dangerous for humans. 

    However, the ketamine dose that veterinarians give to horses and other large animals is much higher than the dose doctors give to humans. In addition, doctors determine the exact dose each person needs based on personal factors such as age and weight.

    Thus, ketamine is a safe and effective form of anesthesia for humans. Also, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ketamine nasal spray to help manage treatment-resistant depression (depression that does not respond to traditional antidepressants). 

    Ketamine Risks

    While ketamine is safe when administered by a doctor, it poses severe health risks when abused. People abuse ketamine to experience relaxation, euphoria (intense joy), and an altered sense of reality. 

    Ketamine abuse is particularly popular among young people who frequent raves (all-night dance parties). They usually buy ketamine on the street, where it’s known as “Special K.” 

    It’s available in liquid form, which can be injected or mixed in drinks, or powder form, which can be snorted or smoked. Both forms can also be mixed with other illicit drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.

    When you abuse ketamine, you may experience serious health concerns, including:

    K-Holes

    A K-hole is an intense feeling of being separated from your body. It can occur when you take high doses of ketamine. Many people describe K-holes as near-death experiences. Common symptoms include:

    • anxiety
    • disorientation 
    • confusion
    • paranoia
    • hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there)
    • nausea
    • changes in blood pressure and heart rate
    • inability to move or speak

    When experiencing a K-hole, you may injure yourself or others. For instance, if you feel numb and try to move, you could fall. In addition, due to extreme anxiety and confusion, you might become agitated and violent. 

    Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)

    Long-term use of ketamine may lead to hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). This rare condition makes you experience certain effects of ketamine long after the drug has left your system. For example, you might hallucinate flashes of light, see brighter colors, or feel disconnected from your surroundings. 

    In most cases, these effects won’t be as intense as they were when you were actually high on ketamine. Still, they can cause significant distress and even suicidal ideation. 

    There is currently no cure for HPPD. However, many people with the condition benefit from therapy and relaxation techniques. 

    Overdose

    If you take a large amount of ketamine, you may overdose. Common signs of a ketamine overdose include:

    • nausea and/or vomiting
    • chest pain
    • confusion
    • anxiety
    • paranoia
    • hallucinations
    • high blood pressure
    • irregular heart rate
    • inability to move
    • seizures
    • loss of consciousness

    If you think you or someone you know is overdosing on ketamine, seek medical attention immediately. When left untreated, a ketamine overdose can be life-threatening. 

    Ketamine Addiction

    When you regularly abuse ketamine, you may become addicted to it. The most common sign of ketamine addiction is tolerance. Tolerance means your body becomes used to ketamine over time. You’ll then need increasingly higher doses to feel the desired effects.

    If you’re addicted to ketamine and stop using it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

    • nausea
    • shaking
    • irritability
    • fatigue
    • confusion
    • loss of coordination 
    • psychosis (a feeling of disconnection from reality that may include hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia)

    Most people with ketamine addiction need professional treatment. During treatment, you’ll have access to services like:

    • medical detox, where doctors will help you stop using ketamine with minimal withdrawal symptoms
    • mental health counseling, where you’ll learn to manage ketamine cravings
    • support groups, where you’ll connect with other people recovering from drug addiction 

    To learn more about ketamine addiction treatment, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. We offer personalized, evidence-based treatments to help you and your loved ones stay healthy and drug-free.

    Written by Ark Behavioral Health Editorial Team
    ©2024 Ark National Holdings, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.
    This page does not provide medical advice.
    Sources

    United States Drug Enforcement Administration - Link Text
    United States Food and Drug Administration - FDA approves new nasal spray medication for treatment-resistant depression; available only at a certified doctor’s office or clinic
    United States National Library of Medicine - Ketamine

    Medically Reviewed by
    Kimberly Langdon M.D.
    on November 10, 2022
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