Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High? Exploring the Truth

You’ve likely heard of ketamine therapy as a potential solution for depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But a common question remains: does ketamine therapy get you high? It’s a valid concern, given ketamine’s history as a recreational drug. This concern is amplified by anecdotal patient reports describing unusual sensations during ketamine treatment. Let’s address this complex question.

Table of Contents:

• Ketamine: From Anesthesia to Therapy

• Understanding the Therapeutic “High”

• Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High: Dissociation vs. Euphoria

• Safeguarding Mental and Physical Well-being

• Therapeutic Use vs. Recreational Misuse

• The Value of Supervised Settings

• Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High: Long-Term Implications

• Conclusion

Ketamine: From Anesthesia to Therapy

Ketamine has a rich history. Developed in the 1960s, it first appeared in veterinary medicine before widespread use as an anesthetic. Its ability to induce a dissociative experience—a feeling of detachment from one’s body and surroundings—made it invaluable for surgical procedures.

In recent years, this same dissociative effect has drawn researchers exploring its antidepressant effects for mental health conditions. This “dissociative anesthetic” nature of ketamine adds to the confusion regarding its therapeutic role.

Understanding the Therapeutic “High”

The term "high" is often linked to recreational ketamine, creating altered mental states centered on pleasure. Ketamine abuse gives the drug a reputation that adds to confusion about ketamine's therapeutic benefit. Some might wonder if this treatment is simply a way to get high.

Sensations in therapeutic ketamine differ from recreational misuse. The DEA lists street names for ketamine such as “Special K,” “Vitamin K”, and “Kit Kat,” highlighting its misuse.

Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High: Dissociation vs. Euphoria

Ketamine therapy uses controlled, low doses. These sometimes produce mildly euphoric sensations. However, pleasure isn’t the aim, unlike recreational use. Therapeutic settings induce an altered state of consciousness, not centered on pleasure. Ketamine works by impacting NMDA receptors in the brain, which are involved in learning and memory.

Some patients find aspects of this temporary, altered state challenging. This fades as the infusion's effects diminish. Patients report feeling emotionally distant or detached from their surroundings.

Some experience mild hallucinations, enhanced colors, and vivid dreams, though many others may not have this experience at all. Some describe feeling like they're outside of their bodies observing themselves as reported in a Field Trip Health article discussing if ketamine gets you high.

This dissociation is key to ketamine's antidepressant effects, providing a mental reset. This reset allows individuals to challenge ingrained negative thoughts and traumatic memories. It's not about getting high but utilizing the dissociative effects for therapeutic benefit.

Safeguarding Mental and Physical Well-being

Clinically administered ketamine infusions follow strict safety protocols. Ketamine isn't for everyone. Careful screening considers pre-existing conditions.

Heart problems are a key concern, as blood pressure may rise, resulting in rare cases of cardiac arrest. Other severe mental health issues and addiction, especially prior opioid use, are also evaluated. Ketamine administration differs based on the treatment approach, but common methods include intravenous infusions and intranasal sprays like esketamine for treatment-resistant depression.

Therapeutic settings differ drastically from recreational drug abuse, which might involve alcohol, marijuana, and other substances. This can affect ketamine's efficacy and carries substantial risks. Medicinal ketamine uses slow, controlled doses, unlike the rapid administration often seen in recreational use. The Diversion Control Division monitors ketamine misuse and works to prevent it.

Therapeutic Use vs. Recreational Misuse

Ketamine treatment always occurs in a medical setting with continuous monitoring by trained staff, such as in a doctor’s office or health clinic. This is different from recreational misuse, which disregards potential risks. The precise dosage used varies based on individual patient needs and response to treatment.

The Value of Supervised Settings

Therapy utilizes low ketamine doses. It’s about supporting positive aftereffects or the "afterglow" of the dissociative experience. This experience should not be a focus on getting high, but rather on how ketamine helps. The controlled medical environment aims to minimize potential risks and ensure proper administration of ketamine medication.

Post-session, mental health support, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help process the experience. This might include mindfulness practices, guided meditation, and support groups. Such an approach helps patients to understand what ketamine does, beyond any transient euphoria. Therapeutic support helps individuals utilize their ketamine experience for lasting recovery, even with disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or bipolar disorder. Mental health professionals provide valuable support for any potential cognitive impairment or adverse effects. Ketamine’s role is that of a rapid-acting antidepressant, aiming to swiftly improve depressive symptoms.

Feature Therapeutic Ketamine Recreational Ketamine

Dosage Low, controlled doses of ketamine medicine High, unregulated doses

Setting Clinical setting Uncontrolled environments

Method IV infusion, injection, intranasal Snorting, injecting

Objective Symptom relief for mental health conditions Intoxication

With therapeutic ketamine, medical professionals administer ketamine under the supervision of a qualified physician. This type of care is for those that haven't responded to traditional antidepressant medications. After the sessions, the staff may offer support through mental exercises or support groups which focus on mindfulness practices along with guided meditation. With recreational ketamine, there is no trained medical staff. The DEA provides warnings and resources such as Operation Prevention and Get Smart About Drugs. Support and information are available for family and friends.

Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High: Long-Term Implications

Ketamine therapy is a novel treatment for psychiatric conditions. Medical trials demonstrate its promise, with ongoing research. Studies suggest its efficacy, with remarkable outcomes recorded after infusions. Ketamine infusions show promise for treatment-resistant depression, especially for individuals where antidepressants fail.

Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High? Exploring the Truth

These show improved responses and a reduction in symptoms, including suicidal thoughts. Many find ketamine infusions less distressing than conventional treatments, offering quicker, more significant symptom improvement. Some experience rapid benefits after just one session, offering hope for managing serious mental health issues. Organizations such as PNI and the FDA are further exploring this innovative approach through clinical studies, and offer educational materials on ketamine safety.

Conclusion

So, does ketamine therapy get you high? It's more accurate to say it induces a distinct, altered state of consciousness. This is carefully managed in a clinical setting for therapeutic purposes. Though some report a transient "high," the therapy's focus is harnessing controlled, low doses. This helps reset neural pathways involved in mood regulation and provide lasting relief for conditions like anxiety disorders, major depression, and PTSD. Additional mental health therapies, including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, help individuals integrate the ketamine experience for long-term mental wellness.