Ketamine Side Effects, Negative Impact on the Brain and Body

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride) is a medication in short-term medical procedures that does not require skeletal muscle relaxation, and it has FDA approval for the induction of general anesthesia as a pre-anesthetic to other anesthetic agents. You can prevent ketamine side effects when you only use the drug in a controlled medical setting. [1]

Ketamine is a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act. According to the DEA, abuse of Schedule III substances may lead to physical or psychological dependence on the drug. [2]

Ketamine use among young adults and high school students is a particular concern. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, individuals aged 12 to 25 accounted for 74% of the ketamine emergency department mentions in the US. Also, nearly 3% of high school seniors in the US used the drug at least once in the past year. [3]

The Effects of Ketamine Addiction

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, ketamine abuse gained popularity when users discovered that it produced effects similar to those associated with PCP. Because of its anesthetic properties, ketamine has also reportedly been used by sexual predators to incapacitate their intended victims. [6]

The most common adverse effects of abusing ketamine include:

• Cognitive impairment.
• Memory loss.
• Mood swings.
• Impaired judgment.
• Social and occupational dysfunction.
• Financial difficulties.
• Relationship problems.
• Increased risk of accidents or injuries.
• Physical health issues.
• Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.

Low-Dose Ketamine Side Effects

Low-dose ketamine has benefits in pain management. It can help reduce the need for opioids and lower tolerance to them. Ketamine is especially useful in chronic pain conditions where the spinal cord is decompressed. Besides providing pain relief, it can also lessen heightened sensitivity and pain triggered by non-painful stimuli. [7]

Nevertheless, the most common side effects of low-dose ketamine are:

• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Increased heart rate.
• Elevated blood pressure.
• Changes in perception.
• Mild confusion.
• Blurred vision.
• Slurred speech.
• Impaired coordination.
• Sweating.

Long-Term Side Effects of Ketamine for Depression

The US NCBI PubMed Journal Review published a study revealing that a single use of ketamine for the treatment of depression could cause adverse symptoms, including:

• Dizziness.
• Blurred vision.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Dry mouth.

Still, these adverse effects are generally not severe and resolved after dose administration. It has also been proposed that, although the side effect of blood pressure elevation during and shortly after a 40-minute ketamine infusion is transient, careful monitoring is required for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease as transient blood pressure elevations may be problematic in such patients. A recent systemic review reported that it is still difficult to conclude that repeated ketamine dosing has a cumulative effect and long-term risk because of insufficient data. [8]

Other most common side effects of ketamine depression therapy include:

• Cognitive impairment.
• Memory issues.
• Mood swings.
• Dependency or addiction.
• Bladder problems.
• Gastrointestinal issues.
• Renal (kidney) dysfunction.
• Persistent hallucinations.
• Respiratory issues (with chronic use).
• Impact on overall mental health and well-being.

Patients should have informed discussions with their healthcare providers on the advantages, drawbacks, and acceptability of ketamine therapy for their particular cases, given the potential for instant antidepressant effects. This cooperative method guarantees that forthcoming patients are knowledgeable and capable of making preferences that support their general mental health and well-being.

What Does Ketamine Do to Your Brain and Body?

Ketamine abuse can lead to ongoing mental health issues and flashbacks even when not using the drug. Using ketamine too much increases the chance of having these flashbacks. It can also harm the brain’s nerve cells, affecting how you think and remember things. [9]

Using an excessive amount of ketamine can swiftly cause psychological dependence. Addiction results from higher dosages and more recurring use of ketamine as your tolerance grows.

Most withdrawal symptoms go away after quitting in a few days, but some people experience them for weeks, which makes the process of detoxing from the drug more complex. Some individuals are predisposed to take ketamine once again during this period in an attempt to relieve their suffering.

The most common symptoms of ketamine withdrawals are:

• Irritability.
• Cravings.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Fatigue.
• Mood changes.
• Increased anxiety.
• Insomnia.
• Sweating.
• Shakiness.
• Nausea.
• Hallucinations.
• Changes in appetite.
• Muscle pain.
• Tremors.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Restlessness.
• Vivid dreams or nightmares.
• Feeling emotionally flat.
• Social withdrawal.

Side Effects of Ketamine Infusion for Pain

According to the NIH study, given ketamine’s efficacy for depression and possibly posttraumatic stress, it may relieve not only the sensory-discriminative component but also the affective-motivational component of pain. However, patients undergoing procedures that are expected to have mild pain levels do not benefit from ketamine infusion. [10]

The most common adverse effects of ketamine for pain management include:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Dizziness.
• Increased heart rate.
• Elevated blood pressure.
• Confusion.
• Blurred vision.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Hallucinations.

We Level Up Texas Ketamine Addiction Rehab (Opening Soon!)

Medical detox is a critical first step in developing a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan for ketamine addiction. Acknowledging your addiction’s warning signs and admitting you need treatment is essential. To determine the best course of action, this often involves having a trained addiction specialist evaluate you for substance use disorder.

Once detox is complete, a new doorway in ketamine addiction treatment opens up, which is referred to as an inpatient drug rehab or residential level of care. Our residential care program slowly and effectively introduces the individual into an atmosphere of therapeutic growth, marked by master’s level therapists, clinicians, group counselors, psychiatrists, and a community of like-minded individuals with the same aim: to attain sobriety and live a great life.

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