No-Holds-Barred Guide to Ketamine: The Booming Party Drug
Ketamine usage surges as a popular illicit substance
Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, is now a common sight at parties. But, is the substance truly harmless, or is its popularity unfounded?
The "Friends" star Matthew Perry was reportedly a frequent ketamine user before his passing, while Elon Musk's ketamine use has sparked recent debates. This drug, decades old, has found a new lease of life in the party scene and Hollywood circles in recent years. A six-year-old study by Charité Berlin discovered it to be the fourth most commonly used club drug. "Since then, its popularity has only surged."
So, what's the appeal? Ease of availability, affordability, and the experience it delivers, explains Felix Betzler of Charité Berlin, a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. The drug's pop culture presence, such as in songs like "Special K" by Placebo, "Space Kitten" by The Polish Ambassador, and "Get Ready for the K-Hole!" by Kissy Sell Out, also contributes to its allure.
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In a 2024 interview, Elon Musk himself claimed that ketamine helps him overcome psychological darkness. However, after a critical media report, Musk declared that he hadn't used the substance since.
Indeed, ketamine is under extensive clinical trial scrutiny for its effectiveness in treating depression. Esketamine, a ketamine derivative, is already approved as a nasal spray for therapy-resistant depression under medical supervision in the EU and USA. The perception of the substance as a medicine further adds to its appeal.
Origin Story: The Path to K-Land
The active ingredient is synthetically produced and was first developed in the USA in 1962 as a new anesthetic. It was tested on American soldiers during the Vietnam War and later established in human and veterinary medicine. Due to its side effects - hallucinations and near-death experiences - it is rarely used as an anesthetic today, but rescue services use it as a painkiller.
Ketamine has been used as a recreational drug for decades. The substance, also known as "Special K" or "K," is typically snorted as a white powder.
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As a party drug, ketamine is sought after for its euphoric and dissociative effects, which are undesirable in an anesthetic. As the dosage increases, the environment - colors and sounds - is significantly altered. A typical sensation is a detachment from one's own body or a dissolution of the self, known as the K-Hole in extreme cases.
Faking Awareness: The Insidious Trap
Users often underestimate the danger of ketamine due to its established medical use. "Whenever a substance is also used for therapeutic purposes, it can reduce awareness of the problem," says Betzler. In a British study, many consumers with a so-called ketamine use disorder reported only becoming aware of the addiction risk when their ketamine use had already spiraled out of control. Many stated that the increasing exploration as a therapeutic agent may have obscured the potential for misuse.
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Unlike heroin or fentanyl, ketamine does not cause physical dependence. However, psychologically, the desire to consume it again can be immense. "Often, it's about escaping distressing feelings."
Long-term use, particularly among young people, carries significant risks, including neurological and cognitive effects, urological issues, addiction and dependence, hepatobiliary complications, and increased impulsive behavior. Educating young people about these risks, especially as the user circle seems to be getting younger, is crucial.
Source: ntv.de, Annett Stein, dpa
- Drugs
- Addiction
The European Union has approved the use of Esketamine, a derivative of ketamine, as a nasal spray for therapy-resistant depression under medical supervision, contributing to the drug's perception as a medicine.
However, long-term use of ketamine, especially among young people, can lead to neurological and cognitive effects, urological issues, addiction and dependence, hepatobiliary complications, and increased impulsive behavior, making it essential to educate young individuals about the risks associated with this drug.
