Ketamine

Ketamine can be taken in a number of ways including:

• Snorted in powder form through an inhaler (called a bullet), straw or a rolled-up banknote (tooter).
• Injected into the muscles after mixing the powder with water. Injecting can cause serious complications including a rapid loss of consciousness. If injecting, avoid sharing needles and other injecting equipment, as there is a risk of contracting HIV and/or hepatitis C.
• Ketamine can also be taken up the ass in liquid form through a syringe.
• By 'bombing', in other words, swallowing the powder wrapped up in cigarette paper. 

The effects of ketamine last for 45-90 minutes if snorted, and up to 3 hours if injected or swallowed.

Taking ketamine can make you feel detached, dream-like, relaxed, happy, confused or nauseated. 

It can also alter your perception of time and, can stop you from feeling pain. 

Ketamine can make you horny, but it can also make it difficult to get an erection or cum. Men use ketamine because of its pain-relieving properties, making it easier to have ‘heavier sex’, such as fisting. Care needs to be taken as these types of activates on ketamine can result in internal injuries without you realising it. Such internal injuries can also increase the risk of passing on HIV or hepatitis. Ketamine can also lower inhibitions and may increase the likelihood of you taking risks you may not otherwise have taken. 

High doses of Ketamine can lead users into a ‘K hole’ where they have difficulty moving, may experience out of body feelings and are at risk of having sex without consent. Someone in a K hole should be taken away from loud music and bright lights. Ketamine can cause panic attacks, depression, and may make existing mental health conditions worse. Those with a history of fits, heart/liver problems or high blood pressure should avoid using ketamine.

Overdoses are rare with Ketamine but tolerance can be developed to it, which means that higher doses are required to experience the same effect. High doses, with alcohol or GHB/GBL, can dangerously suppress breathing and heart function which can lead to unconsciousness. Mixing ketamine with ecstasy or amphetamines can result in dangerously high blood pressure.

If you are a ketamine user and are in a hospital, either for surgery or as the result of a ketamine overdose, be honest with the medical staff. That way they can give you the correct treatment, and in the case of surgery, give you the correct anaesthetic dose.

Currently, Ketamine is categorised as Class C and is illegal to supply or possess. The maximum penalty for possession is 2 years in prison, plus a fine. For supply, it is 14 years in prison plus a fine.

Taking ketamine while on HIV medication, particularly protease inhibitors, is not advisable as it can lead to dangerously high levels of ketamine in the body. If you are thinking of taking ketamine, talk to your HIV consultant.