The use of ketamine is fairly common in surgical situations and some other medical areas. However, ketamine is also widely used as a recreational drug — with potentially fatal side effects. Can you overdose on ketamine? Absolutely, and it’s easier than you might think. Recreational versions of this drug are rarely measured accurately, leading to individuals potentially consuming more of the drug than they mean to.

Recreational ketamine use is on the rise. Between 2015 and 2019, non-medical use of the drug rose by nearly 82%. More recently, there was a 40% increase in ketamine use between 2021 and 2022, signifying consistently rising interest in the “street” version of this dissociative drug. [1] With ketamine more easily available than ever, understanding how this drug works and the risks and symptoms of overdose could help save someone’s life.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a synthetic drug that was created by Calvin Stevens in 1962. It was approved by the FDA for use on humans in 1970, so it is certainly not a “new” drug. [2] Structurally, it’s very similar to phencyclidine (PCP) but isn’t as potent or addictive. [2]

Recreationally, ketamine is sometimes called “Special K” or “Super K” and is used as a way to disconnect from reality. [2]

What is Ketamine Used For?

Ketamine’s primary medical use is for anesthesia and sedation. Sometimes, it’s used as a pre-anesthetic, where the body or an area of the body needs to be relaxed prior to a full general anesthetic. It’s also used in shorter procedures where general anesthetic isn’t indicated. [3]

Recently, the FDA approved a ketamine derivative for use as a treatment for depression. Ketamine may also be prescribed as an alternative to opioids for pain. [4]

How Does Ketamine Work?

Ketamine is known as a dissociative anesthetic — rather than causing the individual to lose consciousness, it essentially severs the connection between the senses and the brain. It has a similar painkilling action to some opioids, although it is not in the opioid class of drugs. Ketamine blocks certain neurotransmitters in the brain that handle pain and awareness while increasing the activity of other neurotransmitters that cause euphoria and positive feelings. [2]

Why Ketamine Can Be Dangerous — Side Effects of Ketamine

Ketamine has numerous side effects, some of which are sought after by those who take the drug recreationally. At high doses, ketamine can create dissociative and hallucinogenic effects, which some people enjoy. Entering a “K-hole” means slipping into a hallucinatory state where reality is temporarily unavailable or highly distorted. Some users describe the K-hole as an out-of-body experience. Unfortunately, those effects indicate that the drug is having an impact on various systems within your body, which can be dangerous. [2]

Notable physical side effects of taking ketamine that can lead to health issues include [5]:

• Increased risk of high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Increased heart rate
• Reduced motor function
• Respiratory depression (slow breathing and/or poor oxygen exchange in the lungs)
• Bladder pain and ulcers
• Depression and low mood
• Memory problems
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Death

Some short-term effects include hallucinations, learning problems, confusion, and a feeling of sedation. Because ketamine users may only focus on the short-term effects, they may not realize that they’re experiencing serious physical side effects until it’s too late. [5]

Can You Overdose on Ketamine? Ketamine Toxicity Explained

It’s relatively easy to overdose on ketamine for several reasons [5]:

• Recreational ketamine is rarely dosed accurately, unlike medical ketamine.
• Ketamine’s effects are increased when taken with alcohol, a common combination in nightclubs and other drug-related social environments.
• Ketamine is also more potent when mixed with caffeine, which makes it dangerous to consume when drinking energy drinks — another popular choice at nightclubs.

Can you die from ketamine? Unfortunately, the answer to this is “Yes.” Everyone will react differently to ketamine, particularly with other substances in their system. Mixing ketamine and alcohol is particularly dangerous and is known to lead to death in some cases. [5]

Symptoms of a Ketamine Overdose

The following symptoms could all indicate a ketamine overdose [5]:

• Convulsions or jerky muscle movements
• Someone claiming they feel like they’re about to pass out
• Pain when urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Loss of bladder control
• Very slow or shallow breathing
• Unconsciousness

If someone has an allergic reaction to ketamine, they may develop hives or their face or tongue may swell. This can happen in both recreational and medical situations.

Action to Take if You Suspect a Ketamine Overdose

If you notice any of the above symptoms, get medical help immediately. Someone who is not breathing or unconscious should be taken to the ER as quickly as possible. If these symptoms occur after surgery or a procedure that involves ketamine as a sedative or anesthetic, let the primary care provider know as soon as possible. They may be able to quickly counteract the negative impact of the ketamine. [5]

Always tell the medical team about any other substances that may be involved, including alcohol, caffeine, and any medications or recreational drugs.

If someone has repeatedly taken ketamine or taken so much it’s made them seriously ill, they may need to undergo a detox period. A detox or detoxification means that the individual takes time to ensure the dissociative drug has been eliminated from their system. The best way to undergo detox is with medical supervision to handle any negative reactions and withdrawal symptoms — and to avoid the risk of relapse.

Recovery From Ketamine Misuse

Whether you or a loved one have taken ketamine recreationally or struggled with a prescription from a medical professional, there is help on hand for ketamine use. You can find supportive care in a non-judgmental environment at our state-of-the-art treatment center. Reach out to Engage Wellness Acton for more information on any aspect of substance use.

Frequently Asked Questions