Is ketamine safe?
Ketamine has some pretty brutal side effects:
Dr Martin Preston, founder of Delamare rehabilitation clinic, says:
Ketamine is an incredibly dangerous drug that can have serious short and long-term side effects on the mind and the body. The illicit party drug has extremely powerful hallucinogenic effects, known as entering a ‘k-hole’.
“The drug leaves users feeling disorientated, confused and detached from reality and the world around them. This is the euphoric feeling that users will often chase, but many aren’t aware of how dangerous this can be.”
When entering into a k-hole, users’ ability to speak can be affected, and it increases irritability, aggression and loss of control around their actions.
The more ketamine that is used, the more difficult it becomes for the user to carry out daily functions, like talking, standing and walking.
“Ketamine can also cause dilated pupils, increased salivation, nausea and vomiting. Long-term use of the drug can cause catastrophic and irreversible effects for the user, like significant urinary system damage, mental impairments, cardiac issues, cramping and even seizures.”
The drug can also cause ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis, which can result in the users’ bladder needing to be removed in the most severe cases.
“Due to the way that ketamine can make you feel, users may also be susceptible to anxiety attacks whilst taking the drug. Users may experience an increase in their heart rate and heart palpitations, which can lead to ongoing trauma even after the physical effects subside.”
Despite its damaging effects, ketamine is often consumed with alcohol and other illicit drugs like cocaine. This is especially dangerous, as the drug becomes more hazardous and it increases the risk of a heart attack, overheating and in worst cases, death.