Ketamine: addiction causes and consequences

TY - CHAP

T1 - Ketamine

T2 - addiction causes and consequences

AU - Wolff, Kim

PY - 2012/7/6

Y1 - 2012/7/6

N2 - Ketamine (2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-cyclohexanone), an anaesthetic derivative of phencyclidine (PCP) with analgesic, neuroprotective and psychedelic properties, is an unusual anaesthetic in its ability to produce a “dissociative” state. It is the action (antagonism) at NMDA (N-methyl aspartate) receptors that is thought to underlie ketamine’s qualities. Whilst ketamine use in medicinal and veterinary settings is well documented and has a good safety record, the increase in its unregulated use outside of such controlled environments is a cause for concern. In non-medicinal use, the stereo-selective kinetics and the complex mechanism of action may lead to unpredictable effects. It is reported that the perceptual and mood changes observed in those who have consumed ketamine are highly sensitive to age, dose, route, previous experience and setting. At low doses stimulant effects predominate and environmental conditions are significant, but with higher doses psychedelic effects become the primary experience. When used recreationally in sub-therapeutic doses by inhalation (or insufflation) the alteration in perception of auditory, visual and painful stimuli result in a general “lack of responsive awareness” which puts the recreational user at risk of personal damage which can go unrecognized. The recreational use of this drug, the effects and potential risks associated with its unregulated use will be discussed.

AB - Ketamine (2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-cyclohexanone), an anaesthetic derivative of phencyclidine (PCP) with analgesic, neuroprotective and psychedelic properties, is an unusual anaesthetic in its ability to produce a “dissociative” state. It is the action (antagonism) at NMDA (N-methyl aspartate) receptors that is thought to underlie ketamine’s qualities. Whilst ketamine use in medicinal and veterinary settings is well documented and has a good safety record, the increase in its unregulated use outside of such controlled environments is a cause for concern. In non-medicinal use, the stereo-selective kinetics and the complex mechanism of action may lead to unpredictable effects. It is reported that the perceptual and mood changes observed in those who have consumed ketamine are highly sensitive to age, dose, route, previous experience and setting. At low doses stimulant effects predominate and environmental conditions are significant, but with higher doses psychedelic effects become the primary experience. When used recreationally in sub-therapeutic doses by inhalation (or insufflation) the alteration in perception of auditory, visual and painful stimuli result in a general “lack of responsive awareness” which puts the recreational user at risk of personal damage which can go unrecognized. The recreational use of this drug, the effects and potential risks associated with its unregulated use will be discussed.

KW - KETAMINE

U2 - 10.1007/978-1-4614-3375-0_15

DO - 10.1007/978-1-4614-3375-0_15

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781461433743

SP - 201

EP - 211

BT - Drug Abuse & Addiction in Medical Illness

A2 - Vester, Joris.C

PB - Springer Science and Business Media

CY - New York

ER -