Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that has been approved for both human and animal use in the medical profession since 1970. About 90 percent of the Ketamine legally sold today is intended for veterinary use. It's slang or street names are Special K, K, Vitamin K or Cat Valiums.

Ketamine is not controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 but can only be obtained by prescription. Users or dealers could be prosecuted under the Medicines Act for supplying or obtaining the drug without a license.

Ketamine gained popularity for abuse in the 1980s, when it was realized that large doses cause reactions similar to those associated with use of phencyclidine (PCP), such as dreamlike states and hallucinations.

Ketamine is produced in liquid form or as a white powder that is often snorted or smoked with marijuana or tobacco products.

Ketamine is becoming a popular recreational drug. It produces “disassociative anesthesia.” The effect is often likened to the mind and body being separated from each other, or a near-death experience—if taken in a sufficiently high dose. This effect is usually called a “K-hole.” Effects can range from rapture to paranoia to boredom. It can render the user comatose.

At higher doses, Ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired heart function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems. Low-dose intoxication from Ketamine results in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory. Because it is often colourless, tasteless, and odourless, it can be added to beverages and ingested unknowingly.

Ketamine takes effect in 5-20 minutes and the effects last 4-8 hours. A human would reach a state of deep cataleptic sedation (like a coma) with a dosage of 15mg/kg. Thus, for example, a 9-stone (126 lb, 57kg) woman would be completely sedated with a dosage of about 850g.

Copyright © 2007 Drink Spike Detector Ltd.  |  Privacy Policy  |  Site Map  |  Contact Us