Ketamine

The effects, the risks, the law.

Slang:

Special K, k, ket, super k, vitamin k, green, Mr Soft and techno smack.

Background:

Ketamine is an anaesthetic with painkilling and hallucinogenic properties. It comes in tablet, liquid or powder form. The drug is intended to be used by vets as a sedative and anaesthetic.

The effects:

• Ketamine is a 'dissociative anaesthetic' with analgesic properties;
• This means it numbs the body, and creates the effect of removing users from their sense of reality;
• Common effects include 'out of body experiences', hallucinations and temporary paralysis;
• As with LSD and other hallucinogens, the effects of taking ketamine are influenced by the user's mood and environment.

The risks:

• Because ketamine numbs the body, users run the risk of serious injury without even realising they've been hurt;
• A ketamine hit can be an alarming experience, even for those used to taking other drugs;
• Excessive doses can cause serious breathing problems, unconsciousness or heart failure;
• There is a risk of choking if the user falls unconscious;
• Ketamine can be extremely dangerous when mixed with other drugs or alcohol;
• The long-term effects of recreational ketamine use are not yet fully understood;
• Ketamine makes some people vomit.

The law:

Ketamine is currently a Class C drug.

If you are planning on taking ketamine:

• If you're out clubbing and feel sick, don't lock yourself in a toilet cubicle alone. If you lose consciousness you can choke on your vomit and no one will be there to help;
• Caution is the name of the game. Excessive doses have killed people. It's worth stressing, though, as with all drugs, there is no such thing as a safe dose, since there's no way of knowing how strong or pure the powder/liquid is, or how an individual will react to it.