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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
See EMCDDA/EUDA + WHO — synthesize per jurisdictionEMCDDA / EUDA · retrieved 2026-06-18

Effects

Effects
See synthesized prose in dossiers/ketamine.md (our words, cited)NIDA + MedlinePlus · retrieved 2026-06-18

Risks

Risks
See synthesized prose in dossiers/ketamine.md (our words, cited)NIDA + MedlinePlus · retrieved 2026-06-18

Interactions

Interactions
See DailyMed label §Drug Interactions (Rx) — synthesize + cite per itemDailyMed SPL §Drug Interactions · retrieved 2026-06-18

Dosage

Pending medical reviewer

Sources

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