Chronic Ketamine Consumption: Widespread Practice - Despite Significant Risks Involved
Kicking it with Ketamine: A Closer Look at This Popular Party Drug
Friends star Matthew Perry and tech billionaire Elon Musk have been in the spotlight for their reported usage of ketamine, a substance that's gained significant popularity recently. In the club scene, it's the fourth most commonly used drug, according to a Berlin study, and its popularity only continues to rise.
Let's Dive In
The reasons for this surge include its ease of availability, relatively low cost, and the sensational effects it offers. Felix Betzler, a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy, explains these factors. Additionally, ketamine's appearance in popular culture has played a role, with songs like "Special K" by Placebo and "Get Ready for the K-Hole!" by Kissy Sell Out mentioning the drug.
Musk, for instance, claims that ketamine helps him escape dark psychological holes. In a 2024 interview, he mentioned taking a small amount every few weeks. However, following a critical media report, he recently stated that he hasn't used the substance since.
Ketamine is being studied extensively for its effectiveness in treating depression, with a ketamine derivative, Esketamine, already approved in the EU and USA for emergency situations where traditional treatments fail. This approval adds to the drug's perceived safety, Betzler notes.
The Origin Story
First developed in the USA in 1962 as a new anesthetic, ketamine was tested on American soldiers during the Vietnam War and has since been used in both human and veterinary medicine. Despite its side effects like hallucinations and near-death experiences, it's still used by rescue services as a painkiller.
Recreationally, ketamine is most often snorted as a white powder. The effects last one to two hours, and users value its euphoric and dissociative effects, which are undesirable in an anesthetic, explains Ingo Schäfer from the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Perception vs. Reality
Many users underestimate the risks associated with ketamine due to its established medical use, says Betzler. This misconception can lead to dangerous situations, especially when the drug is mixed with other substances or taken in excess.
Long-term ketamine misuse can result in physical health problems like bladder or nasal issues, abdominal cramps, and cognitive impairments such as concentration and memory disorders. In extreme cases, the bladder may need to be removed, and urine collected in bags.
"Ketamine is not a harmless drug," emphasizes Schäfer. "Even long-term consumption for recreational purposes poses significant risks." This is especially true for young people, whose brain development is still in progress.
More public education is needed to address the growing number of young users, as the user circle seems to be getting younger, according to Betzler. Reliable current figures on this are not available yet. Stay informed, stay safe!
In the realm of science and health-and-wellness, ketamine, a substance once used during the Vietnam War, is gaining attention for its use in treating mental-health disorders like depression, with Esketamine, a ketamine derivative, already approved for emergency situations.
Despite its potential benefits, it's crucial to remember that the perception of ketamine as 'safe' due to its medical use can lead to overlooked risks, particularly when mixed with other substances or used excessively, a situation that could culminate in physical health problems, cognitive impairments, or even the need for bladder removal in extreme cases. Therefore, it is essential to continue public education, especially given the trend of younger individuals using the drug, to ensure awareness and safety.
