Ketamine (ket, horse, Special K, Vitamin K)
What is it?
Ketamine, is a powerful general anaesthetic which stops you feeling pain and is used for operations on humans and animals. It is popular on the recreational drug scene, in dance clubs and during sex. It normally comes in an off-white powder or as a clear odourless liquid. Ketamine can be snorted, injected into a muscle or swallowed in a cigarette paper ("bombed"). It can slow down messages from your brain to your body, leaving you feeling quite detached from your surroundings.
Short-term effects
The effects depend on how much is consumed. Individual factors such as body weight, gender, the strength of the drug, mood, physical and mental health, how you take it, where you take it and whether or not it is mixed with other drugs also have an impact.
As with any drug, users should test the strength of it by using a small amount first.
The effects of ketamine are variable. In low doses it can be relaxing in a quiet setting or energising in a nightclub. In higher doses users can hallucinate and feel very detached from their own body and surroundings. The effects of it have been compared to having a near death experience, referred to by some users as "entering the K hole".
The effects of ketamine don’t last long. Until it wears off, however, it can cause a loss of feeling within the body and paralysis of the muscles – so users could hurt themselves quite badly and not know it.
It can also lead to numbness and hallucinations.
Ketamine use can affect breathing and how your heart works. It can even lead to unconsciousness, especially when mixed with other drugs such as opiates, benzodiazepines and alcohol. This can be very dangerous and lead to users inhaling their own vomit.
Long-term effects
Ketamine can cause high blood pressure and it has recently been discovered to cause serious bladder problems, resulting in users experiencing severe pain, problems passing urine and even the bladder having to be surgically removed.
Users have also reported abdominal pains and cramps. Regular or increased use of Ketamine can exacerbate existing mental health problems and lead to feelings of confusion, depression and panic attacks.
The law
Ketamine is a Class C drug. It is illegal to possess, give away or sell it.
Driving while under the influence of drugs is illegal. It can lead to a heavy fine, disqualification from driving and even a prison sentence in some cases.
If you are using ketamine (or any other substances), are worried about someone else’s use or would just like to know more, please contact us for more information.
