Not yet medically reviewed, information on this site is in preparation and has not been verified by a medical reviewer.
Drug index / Dissociative / Ketamine
Dissociative

Ketamine

2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexan-1-one

Detailed, medically-reviewed information for Ketamine is being prepared.

Overview

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with legitimate medical use in human and veterinary surgery and, in a derivative form, for treatment-resistant depression under medical supervision. It is also used non-medically for its dissociative effects. Its molecular formula is C13H16ClNO.

Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration drug fact sheets, dea.gov drug fact sheet (ketamine); PubChem, U.S. National Library of Medicine CID 3821.

Chemistry & mechanism of action

Ketamine acts primarily as an antagonist at the NMDA glutamate receptor, producing anesthesia and a sense of detachment from the body and environment (dissociation) at sub-anesthetic doses.

Source: PubChem, U.S. National Library of Medicine CID 3821; U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov.

Effects

Public sources describe dissociation, distorted perception of sight and sound, and a feeling of detachment or being out of control. Adverse effects can include confusion, raised blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, and — at higher doses — difficulty moving or a profound dissociative state sometimes called a "k-hole."

Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration drug fact sheets, dea.gov; U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov.

Risks & harms

Acute risks include impaired coordination and judgment, vomiting with a risk of choking if not positioned safely, and dangerous additive sedation when combined with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Frequent, heavy use is associated with serious bladder and urinary-tract damage (ketamine-associated uropathy), which is a recognized warning sign to seek medical care.

Source: U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov; MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Subjective effects

distorts sight/sound, disconnection, loss of control; sedation/immobility/amnesia/analgesia; mood + body-image change, hallucination at low dose/emergence. "K-hole" (out-of-body), "K-land" (mellow colorful)

Onset

rapid, minutes (slower oral)

Duration

dissociative effects ~30–60 min

Harmful effects

impaired control; used to facilitate sexual assault; 6 deaths (ketamine+analogs) 2020–22

Medicinal use

FDA-approved anesthetic (human+vet) since 1970s; esketamine/Spravato FDA-approved Mar 2019 for treatment-resistant depression; off-label depression/pain

Prevalence

NFLIS >43,000 reports (1,965 in 2021 → 3,557 in 2024); NSDUH ~762k (2022)/943k (2023); Rx 22k (2015)→65k (2024); esketamine Rx 30k (2019)→553k (2024)

Images

Visual references coming soon.

If it’s too intense

If an experience becomes overwhelming, the goal is to stay safe and let it pass, most difficult experiences ease as the drug wears off.

  • Get to a calm, safe space with someone you trust who is sober and can stay with you.
  • Cool down if you’re overheating, move somewhere cool, remove extra layers, rest. Overheating is especially a risk with stimulants and MDMA.
  • Sip water to thirst, but don’t over-hydrate. Drinking large amounts of plain water (especially after MDMA) can dangerously dilute your blood sodium (hyponatremia). Electrolytes help more than volume.
  • Slow your breathing, long, slow exhales help settle a racing heart and anxiety.
  • A sugary drink, fruit juice, or a snack can ease shakiness and the anxiety that comes with low blood sugar.
  • Do not take more, and do not add another substance to manage it. Redosing or adding something else (including a sedative like a benzodiazepine) can make things worse, not better.

With dissociatives, coordination and judgment are impaired and effects can come in waves, sit or lie down somewhere safe so you don't fall, and don't drive or make decisions until it clears.

Call 911 (or Poison Control, 1-800-222-1222) right away for chest pain, a very high body temperature, a seizure, unconsciousness, or severe confusion. These are medical emergencies, not something to wait out.

Source: general harm-reduction guidance from SAMHSA, NIH/NIDA, and MedlinePlus, in our own words. Draft, not yet medically reviewed.

Forensic dossier

Draft · every field is source-cited or marked “Unknown, pending review”

Identity

IUPAC name
2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexan-1-onePubChem PUG-REST · retrieved 2026-06-18
SMILES
CNC1(CCCCC1=O)C2=CC=CC=C2ClPubChem PUG-REST · retrieved 2026-06-18
InChIKey
YQEZLKZALYSWHR-UHFFFAOYSA-NPubChem PUG-REST · retrieved 2026-06-18
Synonyms / aliases
ket, special k, dl-Ketamine, Ketaject, Special K, (+-)-Ketamine, CI 581 base, Ketaminum, Calypsol, narketan, Cetamina, TekamPubChem PUG-REST + seed aliases · retrieved 2026-06-18

Composition

Composition
N/A — single compound (see Identity)

Physical / pill characteristics

Dosage form
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS KETALAR injection is a clear, colorless, sterile solution available in multiple-dose vials containing either 10 mg ketamine base (eopenFDA drug label · retrieved 2026-06-18
Route
INTRAMUSCULAR, INTRAVENOUSopenFDA drug label · retrieved 2026-06-18
Shape
Unknown — pending review (verify tablet imprint/shape against NLM Pillbox/DailyMed; N/A if not an oral tablet)
Color
Unknown — pending review (verify tablet imprint/shape against NLM Pillbox/DailyMed; N/A if not an oral tablet)
Imprint
Unknown — pending review (verify tablet imprint/shape against NLM Pillbox/DailyMed; N/A if not an oral tablet)
Score
Unknown — pending review (verify tablet imprint/shape against NLM Pillbox/DailyMed; N/A if not an oral tablet)

Scheduling & legal status

International
Unknown, pending review

Effects, risks & interactions

Effects
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic: in medicine it produces analgesia and sedation; at sub-anaesthetic recreational exposure people report detachment from body and surroundings, distorted perception of sight and sound, and a sense of dissociation that can become profound ("k-hole") at higher exposure. A related agent (esketamine) is used under supervision for treatment-resistant depression.NIDA + MedlinePlus · retrieved 2026-06-18
Risks
Reported risks include impaired coordination and judgement, nausea/vomiting (with aspiration risk when sedated), raised blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, and — with repeated/heavy use — bladder and urinary-tract damage and dependence. Dissociation also raises injury/assault vulnerability.NIDA + MedlinePlus · retrieved 2026-06-18
Interactions
Unknown, pending review

Dosage

Pending medical reviewer

Sources

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