Party Drug Ketamine: Appealing but Dangerous
Ketamine is progressively becoming more common in drug use circles
The substance once created for medical purposes, Ketamine, is now widely popular among the party-going crowd. But why is this drug so alluring - and is it truly as harmless as it seems?
Known as "Special K" or "K," Ketamine has gained considerable popularity in both celebrity circles and nightlife scenes. A study in Berlin labeled it the fourth most commonly used club drug six years ago, with its popularity continuing to soar since then, as reported by Felix Betzler of Charité in Berlin.
Ketamine's increased popularity can be attributed to factors such as easy availability, a relatively low price, and the euphoric and dissociative effects achieved by the drug. The fact that Ketamine is often referenced in pop culture, like in songs from Placebo, The Polish Ambassador, and Kissy Sell Out, further reinforces its appeal.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, for example, has openly discussed using Ketamine to help him escape dark psychological holes. In a 2024 interview, he admitted to taking a small amount of Ketamine about every two weeks; however, following negative media coverage, he publicly stated that he had ceased using the substance.
Despite its rising popularity, Ketamine is being extensively studied in clinical trials for its effectiveness in treating depression. Esketamine, a derivative of Ketamine, is already approved for emergency use in the EU and USA for therapy-resistant depression when administered as a nasal spray under medical supervision. This perception of safety when used medically contributes to Ketamine's increasing popularity, according to Betzler.
Sources and Production
Synthetically produced, Ketamine was initially developed in the USA in 1962 as a new anesthetic.It has been used for both human and veterinary medicine and has been a recreational drug for decades. Ketamine is usually taken as a white powder that is snorted, explained by Betzler.
Effects and Dangers
Ketamine is appealing because of its euphoric and dissociative effects, which are undesirable in anesthetics. As the dose increases, the user's perception of the environment, such as colors and sounds, is significantly altered, as explained by Ingo Schäfer from the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Experts warn that Ketamine users often underestimate the drug's danger due to its established medical use. "Whenever a substance is also used for therapeutic purposes, it can reduce awareness of the problem," says Betzler. Schäfer agrees, stating, "There is a risk of trivialization through therapeutic use."
Many Ketamine users only become aware of the addiction risk when their consumption spirals out of control, as observed in a British study. These individuals often reported that the increasing experimentation as a therapeutic agent may have obscured the potential for misuse.
Ketamine is typically used recreationally occasionally or at parties. Unlike drugs like heroin or fentanyl, Ketamine does not cause physical dependency. However, psychologically, the desire to consume it can be intense, often stemming from an effort to escape distressing feelings. Because Ketamine is also used in the context of accompanied therapies, many people use it for self-medication with psychological problems.
Long-term, Ketamine misuse can lead to a variety of physical health problems and psychological consequences, as explained by the team around Celia Morgan of the University of Exeter in "Addiction." The 274 people included in the study consumed an average of two grams of Ketamine per day. Bladder or nasal problems occurred in 60 percent, and a similar number reported abdominal cramps, often leading the affected individuals to reach for the drug again to relieve the pain.
Typical for chronic Ketamine misuse is the so-called Ketamine bladder: The substance destroys the bladder wall, resulting in incontinence and, in extreme cases, requiring surgical intervention and the use of urine bags. Long-term Ketamine misuse also threatens significant cognitive impairments such as concentration and memory disorders, depression, anxiety, and even psychosis in some cases.
Conclusion
Ketamine is not harmless, regardless of its established medical use. Long-term use, especially among younger users, can lead to severe physical, psychological, and neurological consequences. It is essential for users to be aware of these risks and for healthcare providers to monitor and manage Ketamine use carefully.
The European Union, in its ongoing clinical trials, has approved Esketamine, a derivative of Ketamine, for emergency use in therapy-resistant depression when administered as a nasal spray under medical supervision. This perceived safety when used medically contributes to Ketamine's increasing popularity (The European Union, health-and-wellness, mental-health).
However, despite Ketamine's growing popularity in the scenes of parties and nightlife, long-term abuse of the substance can lead to a variety of physical health problems, psychological consequences, and even neurological issues such as bladder damage, cognitive impairments, depression, anxiety, and psychosis in some cases (health-and-wellness, mental-health, The European Union).
