What is ketamine?

According to medicalnewstoday.com, Ketamine is a medication that is used to induce loss of consciousness or anesthesia.

It can produce relaxation and relieve pain in humans and animals.

It is a class III scheduled drug and is approved for use in hospitals and other medical settings as an anesthetic.

However, it is said to be a commonly abused “recreational” drug, due to its hallucinogenic, tranquilizing and dissociative effects.

Controversy has over the years risen about using ketamine “off-label” to treat depression. Off-label uses of drugs are uses that are not approved by the the United States, (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ketamine is safe to use in controlled, medical practice, but it has abuse potential. Used outside the approved limits, its adverse mental and physical health effects can be hazardous. Prolonged use can lead to tolerance and psychological addiction.

What you should know about ketamine

• Ketamine is said to be widely used in the NHS as an anesthetic, sedative and pain reliever.
• It is also commonly used on animals.
• Owing to its hallucinogenic effects, it is also thought to be a “party drug”,
• But reports say it can cause serious harm to the body, and be fatal if used this way.
• Ketamine is classed by the government as a Class-B drug, which means it is illegal to take, carry, make or sell.
• Ketamine is considered the fourth most popular recreational drug in the UK and in extreme cases, use of it can lead to severe bladder damage as well as other health problems.
• Ketamine belongs to a class of drugs known as dissociative anesthetics.
• It is also known as Ketalar, Ketanest, and Ketaset.
• Other drugs in this category include the hallucinogen, phencyclidine (PCP), dextromethorphan (DXM), and nitrous oxide, or laughing gas.
• These types of drugs can make a person feel detached from sensations and surroundings as if they are floating outside their bodies.
• Ketamine is most often used in veterinary medicine.
• In humans, it can induce and maintain general anesthesia before, during, and after surgery.
• For medical purposes, ketamine is either injected into a muscle or given through an intravenous (IV) line.
• It is considered safe as an anesthetic because it does not reduce blood pressure or lower the breathing rate.
• The fact that it does not need an electricity supply, oxygen, or highly trained staff makes it a suitable option trusted Source in less wealthy countries and in disaster zones.

What are its recreational use risks?

The risks are said to be many but below are some of them.

• serious bladder problems
• feelings of sickness
• confusion
• memory problems
• paralysis of the muscles
• hallucinations
• depression
• flashbacks

Source:www.medicalnewstoday.com