Ketamine has been gaining more attention in recent years due to its ability to treat mental and physical health conditions that do not respond well to other modalities. Pain relief is one such benefit, similar to prescription opioids. But is ketamine an opioid? And how safe is it to use?
Ketamine can be a valuable component of treatment for depression or chronic pain, but it may also be used recreationally. Understand the risks by learning about ketamine side effects and how to recognize the signs of addiction. If you need help quitting ketamine, contact My 5 Palms at 1.844.675.1022 to discuss our drug addiction treatment options.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a pharmaceutical drug initially used as an anesthetic for humans and animals undergoing medical procedures. It earned a reputation as a recreational drug due to its hallucinogenic and sedative effects.
When accessed recreationally, you may hear ketamine referred to by its street names, like:
- Special K
- Vitamin K
- Cat tranquilizer
- Cat valium
- Super acid
- Kit kat
In addition to anesthetic and recreational purposes, ketamine has been found to provide benefits for people struggling with depression or chronic pain.
Low-dose ketamine helps alleviate depression symptoms by increasing levels of brain neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation. For some people with treatment-resistant depression, ketamine has provided relief they have not found in other forms of treatment. When using ketamine for depression treatment is typically administered in a provider’s office via intravenous infusion.
Ketamine can also provide pain relief, particularly for neuropathic pain due to damaged nerves. By resetting the pain response and the nervous system, ketamine can offer long-lasting relief.
Is Ketamine an Opioid?
Since opioids are most well-known for pain relief, people may assume that ketamine falls into the category of opioid drugs. However, despite its pain-relieving properties, ketamine is not actually an opioid. Opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone work by binding to the brain’s opioid receptors and inducing pain relief and euphoria.
On the other hand, Ketamine primarily interacts with the NMDA receptor, which is involved in the modulation of the body’s pain response. By blocking this receptor, ketamine can reduce your sensitivity to pain while also elevating your mood.
Common Ketamine Side Effects
Although ketamine can play a crucial role in the lives of people with treatment-resistant depression or neuropathic pain, the drug is not without its downsides. If you are interested in trying ketamine for depression or chronic pain, consider the following potential side effects first:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Changes in blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Elevated heart rate
It is also worth mentioning that ketamine can contribute to liver impairment, so if you have a health condition involving liver issues or you drink alcohol, ketamine may not be the best option for your situation. Be sure to discuss this with your provider before commencing ketamine treatment.
Recognizing the Signs of Ketamine Addiction
When ketamine is accessed from a licensed provider, it is considered generally safe. The provider will deliver the drug via injection to control your dosage. But when accessed recreationally without medical supervision, you run a much higher risk of developing an addiction. Be aware of the following signs of ketamine addiction:
- Increased tolerance to your dose and requiring higher doses to achieve the same level of relief
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, cravings, and sweating when you stop using ketamine
- Visiting multiple doctors to access additional doses of ketamine
- Isolating yourself from people and activities you used to enjoy
If you start to notice the above signs of ketamine addiction, talk to your provider right away about the best course of action.
Get Help for Ketamine Addiction by Calling My 5 Palms
Despite its benefits for chronic pain and depression, ketamine can also make you vulnerable to addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with ketamine addiction, help is available. The compassionate team at My 5 Palms can help you safely detox from ketamine and develop a personalized treatment plan to address your needs.
If you start to become dependent on your medication, call My 5 Palms at 1.844.675.1022 to schedule an intake assessment and enroll in one of our residential or outpatient treatment programs, or contact us online with any of your questions or concerns.
