Ketamine – Trick or treat?
Tuesday, 31 March 2009.
Originally from express article September 2008
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| Diana Rands from CADS. |
Di Rands from CADS explores the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of Ketamine.
Most of us are familiar with the saying about LSD that you can ‘take a trip without leaving the farm’. Well ketamine has the potential to ‘blast you into outer space without the rocket’. Now that may appeal to some, but for others it is no fun at all.
Ketamine is used by the medical profession and veterinarians as an anaesthetic.
In small doses it has a dissociative (detached from self) and hallucinogenic (trippy) effect. An important thing to remember is that Ketamine has very different affects depending on how much you take, and how you take it: in high doses, feelings of sedation and numbness are more pronounced than its hallucinogenic effects.
K is illegally sold in packets as a powder for snorting or in sipper bottles as a liquid. It is also pressed into pills or mixed with stimulants and sold as ecstasy. Some people use K intravenously but this is not recommended as you can be unconscious before you remove the needle from your vein. K has no E content and is not a loved-up buzz. It’s more similar to PCP (or Angel Dust).
Most users say that K is a really ‘out there’ experience, even more so than acid. Some find it a totally mind-expanding, even spiritual, experience while others find the feeling of having no control off-putting, to some it can be terrifying.
Now, of course, no use is the safest option. But if you are going to use Ketamine, remember that low doses work best and are safer. I also can not emphasise enough that it is a really good idea not to take any other drugs – especially depressants. Hey and guess what? Alcohol is a depressant drug!! Am I just being a nana? No, it is because the combined sedative effect increases the risk of overdose, choking or losing consciousness – not usually on the list for the top three things to do on a Saturday night...
While I’m on the subject of mixing drugs, combining Ketamine with speed or other stimulants puts extra strain on your system, heart, etc. and increases the risk of psychotic reactions similar to PCP.
Other harm reduction tips include:
- If you have freaked out on acid (LSD) or other hallucinogens, it would be safest to avoid K.
- Watch out for each other as it’s easy to injure yourself if you’re numb, uncoordinated and ‘off the planet’. Avoid K if you have heart or breathing problems, mental health problems or are feeling fragile.
- IV use is very dangerous and likely to produce unconsciousness. It’s safest to avoid injecting K completely, but if you’re going to inject, do it intramuscularly, not intravenously.
- Don’t share straws or other snorting devices as these may have traces of blood on them and put you at risk of contracting HIV or Hepatitis.
- Avoid eating to reduce the chance of choking when out of it.
- Check the potency with someone who has tried the same gear. As with speed, how strong or cut down it is could vary considerably.
- It’s not advisable to use alone. Tell friends if you’re taking K & keep an eye on friends who are.
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's ketamine or other drug use, or you’re concerned about someone else contact CADS on 845 1818 or www.cads.org.nz. If you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
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