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Ketamine is an anesthetic typically used in veterinary medicine. For its intended purpose, it is found in a liquid form so that it can be injected into a medical patient. Its illicit form is evaporated into a powder, which can be snorted or mixed into drinks. This drug is used in order to detach the user from reality, as it is classified as a hallucinogen when used improperly.

http://drugfree.org/drug/ketamine/

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Ketamine can be classified as a hallucinogen, and an anesthetic to be more specific, as it causes the user to feel sensory detachment (this is caused by the drug acting upon the glutamate receptors in the neuronal cells) from the body and mind. Because it is so popularly used in clubs, it is widely known as a club drug, too. Its odorless and tasteless qualities put it into the "date-rape" category as well, which means that it can be used in order to take advantage of unsuspecting victims, where the victim would be unable to resist forms of sexual assault.

https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/clubdrugs10.pdf
http://drugfree.org/drug/ketamine/

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The scientific name for this drug is Ketamine Hydrochloride, with the molecular formula being C₁₃H₁₆ClNO.

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ketamine#section=Therapeutic-Uses

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There are many different slang names for Ketamine, and it is important to know each and every one of them, in order to avoid accidental consumption of this drug.

Cat Valium

Cat Tranquilizer

K

Special K

Super K

Vitamin K

Kit Kat

Purple

Jet

Obviously, these are not the medical names. If used for medical purposes, doctors would call it by the general term "Ketamine".

http://ketamine.com/what-is-ketamine/street-names-for-ketamine/

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This drug is relevant to teens who drink (roughly 70% http://www.cbsnews.com/news/survey-reveals-shocking-levels-of-teen-drinking-drug-abuse/), as Ketamine is a "date-rape" drug. If an adolescent were to be drinking, they could potentially not be wise enough to keep their drink with them. Someone could slip this drug into their unattended drink, and the adolescent would not even know, as the drug is odorless and tasteless.

In addition, this drug could be used to help teens with depression (roughly 15% https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-depression/teen-depression-statistics/), as Ketamine is known to elate emotions. If a teen is depressed, they could potentially turn to the illicit form of this drug in order to help themselves achieve desired effects (see Desired Effects). This phenomenon is being further studied by medical professionals, however, it has not yet been proven that Ketamine is successful in treating depression.

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ketamine#section=Therapeutic-Uses
http://drugfree.org/drug/ketamine/

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In 1963, liquid Ketamine was first patented for medical use in Begium. The next year, its hallucinogenic side effects were discovered, and it was determined that in smaller increments, it could be used as a safe anesthetic for human patients undergoing surgeries. It became more common in veterinary work, due to the hallucinations found in humans.

In 1969, the drug was available for prescription, and many people began to use it for medical AND recreational purposes. For example, in the Vietnam War, it was used as a field anesthetic, but over in Argentina, it was being used illicitly for "mind exploration" and "New-Age spiritualism".

Later on, the drug became increasingly available in many different forms, such as pills and powder, and grew very popular among dance cultures, giving it the term "club drug". As the years progress, the abuse rate of the drug appears to be increasing, which is why it is essential to be informed of the harm it brings (see Harmful Effects).

http://ketamine.com/history-of-ketamine/

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Ketamine is sold in clubs as an ecstasy, which means that users desire feelings of euphoria, empathy, exhilaration, and energy.

For example, if somebody was feeling down and sought exhilaration, they could abuse this drug in order to obtain the desired effects listed above. Also, if the user was at a dance club where the drug was being sold, they could possibly want to get into a "partying mood" and take the drug for that reason.

http://www.illicitdrugs.co.uk/page14/ketamine.asp

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As with any drug, the drawbacks are more abundant than the benefits. The most notable harmful effect is hallucinations, which is described as seeing or hearing things that are not there. This becomes an increased issue when taken into the context of "date-rape" incidences. Since this drug can cause the user to be out of touch with the present, this drug is commonly used to take advantage of others. For example, the powdered form of the drug could be slipped into one's drink, causing their mind to do crazy things. During the time in which the victim is under the drug's influence, they could be taken advantage of. Once the drug wears off, the victim may not remember anything that happened to them that night, which is not a good situation.

Additional side effects of the drug include confusion, excitement, dizziness, drowsiness, and numbness.

http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/HWRC/hits?r=d&origSearch=true&rlt=1&o=&bucket=ref&n=10&l=d&searchTerm=2NTA&index=BA&basicSearchOption=KE&tcit=1_1_1_1_1_1&c=10&docNum=A281568555&locID=lom_inac&secondary=false&t=RK&s=1&SU=ketamine (Health and Wellness Resource Center)

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Ketamine is mainly used for veterinary purposes, as an intramuscular anesthetic. The drug comes in a liquid form, which is either swallowed by the animals, or injected into their veins, in order to eliminate their pain. It is also used in human anesthesia. While Ketamine is legal in the United States for specific medical purposes, it is illegal to abuse this drug.

"Ketamine." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances, edited by Barbara C. Bigelow, vol. 3, UXL, 2006, pp. 457-472. Gale Virtual Reference Library, (eBook citation)

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This video (used to inform people about Ketamine) is essentially a summary of this Padlet. It describes the drug's harmful effects, desired effects, and how it works in the body. In addition, it gives the rich history of the drug. It is important to know this information in order to avoid misuse and abuse of the drug.

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Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that's often grouped with psychedelics, especially when evaluating its lower dose effects. The drug has been widely used in recreational and medicinal settings for decades. Ketamine = K; Special K, Ketalar Reddit discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheDrugClassroom/comments/48vhnt/ketamine/ ------------ PsychonautWiki Page: https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/Ketamine ------------ Donate to The Drug Classroom: https://www.patreon.com/TheDrugClassroom https://www.paypal.me/TheDrugClassroom Bitcoin: 1HsjCYpBHKcVCaW4uKBraCGkc1LK8xoj1B ------------ The Drug Classroom (TDC) is dedicated to providing the type of drug education everyone should have.