An Update of Ketamine Illicit Use

Summary

Ketamine, while used clinically for its anesthetic and antidepressant effects, is increasingly abused as a club drug, leading to significant public health concerns. Its recreational use can cause various physical and psychiatric issues, especially when combined with other substances. There are currently no specific treatments for compulsive drug-seeking behavior in ketamine use disorder, and existing pharmacotherapy mainly addresses symptoms. The chapter discusses the history of ketamine abuse and the mechanisms behind addiction.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ketamine is a derivative of phencyclidine with unique anesthetic, analgesic, as well as antidepressant pharmacological properties. Despite its clinical use, ketamine is classified on the list with new psychoactive substances having psychedelic properties. The abuse trend of ketamine increasing globally, and it became a common club drug over the past few decades. Of note, recreational use of ketamine may pose a threat to public health, leading to numerous physical, as well as psychiatric negative effects. In addition, simultaneously or sequentially ketamine use with other drugs, resulting in serious health consequences. Currently, there are no specific treatment options for managing compulsive drug-seeking behavior in patients with ketamine use disorder, while the pharmacotherapy of side effects is limited and mostly symptomatic. In this chapter, we discuss ketamine abuse history. Further, we proposed the mechanisms of neural disinhibition underlying addiction development in ketamine-dependent patients. We have also included details of possible negative consequences focusing on long-term and recreational ketamine use for both, central and peripheral systems. Finally, we provide an overview of ketamine concomitant use and corresponding adverse interactions.