To use or not to use: an update on licit and illicit ketamine use
Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation March 1, 2011 Jih-Heng Li, Vickna Kasinather, Cheung et al. 146 citations
Ketamine, an anesthetic developed in the 1960s, has hallucinogenic effects and a wide safety margin, but its therapeutic use is limited by mind-body dissociation, delirium, and hallucinations. Increasing recreational abuse, including to experience a "k-hole," has led to government restrictions. Long-term use can cause irreversible urinary tract damage, potentially leading to renal failure and dialysis. Assessments suggest ketamine may cause more harm than some UN-scheduled drugs, with dependence, lower urinary tract dysfunction, and sexual impulse or violence reported in Southeast and East Asia. The danger of ketamine may have been underestimated, and thorough surveys are needed to prevent an epidemic. However, recent findings indicate ketamine may be useful for treating major depressive disorder, prompting need for further research on risks and benefits.