Does Ketamine Therapy Get You High? Here’s the Reality

Ketamine therapy has recently become very popular in the United States for the treatment of depression and anxiety. However, as the use of ketamine increases, a common concern arises: “Does ketamine therapy get you high?” Although this treatment is not intended to get you high like recreational use, there are some things to consider about how you feel after using it. This blog will help you understand whether ketamine therapy contributes to feeling “high.” Let’s explore!

Does ketamine therapy make you high?

Yes, according to of National Institute on Drug Abuse, Ketamine can cause a high when used in large doses (1 mg/kg or more) This is because its psychoactive effects include:

• Dissociation: Feeling very disconnected from reality.

• Hallucinations: Hearing or seeing things that are not there or do not appear.

• Changes in sensation and perception: Changes in the way we feel, hear, and see things.

In medical applications, professionals provide ketamine therapy or ketamine infusions at low doses (0.5 mg/kg) in a controlled clinical setting. Your health care provider will ensure that you are given the correct dose so that any potential side effects can be managed. The aim is to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions by changing overall brain chemistry and avoiding feeling “high.”

Why do some people feel “high” during ketamine therapy?

In treatment settings, some people may experience a mild, short-lived sensation similar to a “high.” This occurs because of the unique effects that ketamine has on the brain, even at low doses. These impacts include:

• Dissociation: Causes a feeling of being disconnected from the body and environment, resulting in “dream-like” experiences.

• Euphoria: May cause mild euphoria (a strong feeling of happiness or excitement).

• Perceptual changes: Altering sensory perception, including auditory and visual distortions, which can result in a feeling of unreality or intoxication.

• Increased dopamine levels: Stimulates the “feel-good” hormone dopamine, which can cause feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.

Note: All of these feelings are short-lived (temporary) and typically last about 40 minutes to 1 hour in a therapeutic setting. For recreational use, all of these sensations are often considered when taking the drug. However, in medical applications, it is not possible to achieve a “high” feeling, as healthcare providers closely monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

What does the “high” of a ketamine drip feel like?

This is what the “high” feeling feels like.

• Out-of-body sensation: feeling disconnected from one’s own body. People often report feeling like they are floating or seeing themselves from a distance.

• Distorted reality: Perception of environment, time, and place changes, making everything seem unreal or dream-like.

• Increased euphoria: A feeling of extreme euphoria, excitement, or euphoria is often accompanied by lightness and relaxation.

• Changes in thinking: Mental “ambiguity” or deep self-analysis. Your thoughts may deepen or you may feel disconnected.

Although these effects can be pleasurable, in medical practice their purpose is to provide mental health support, not to achieve a “high” feeling.

How long do the effects of ketamine therapy last?

Ketamine typically exhibits antidepressant effects within 40 minutes and lasts 3 to 7 days when used in a medical setting. During this period, you may experience mild euphoria, dissociation, and changes in perception, which tend to peak 10 to 20 minutes after the first dose. These effects slowly subside as the body processes and eliminates the drug.

Although the immediate effects of ketamine are short-lived, some people may experience long-term improvements in mood and reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms that last for days or weeks. However, long-term effects vary depending on the person and the frequency of sessions.

Therapeutic vs. Recreational Use of Ketamine: Key Differences

This table shows the differences between recreational and therapeutic ketamine use based on purpose of use, effectiveness, and safety.

Is ketamine therapy safe?

According to one studyKetamine therapy is considered safe when performed by a certified medical professional in a clinical setting. However, exact safety is determined by proper screening, appropriate dosing, and continuous monitoring. Additionally, it is not an ideal option for everyone as it can increase the risk of further complications.

Who should avoid ketamine therapy?

Ketamine therapy is not considered suitable for people with the following symptoms:

You can read our detailed guide Who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy For better understanding.

Potential side effects of ketamine therapy

If you are receiving ketamine treatment, you may experience the following side effects:

short term side effects

It heals within minutes to hours after treatment, but the following symptoms may appear:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• nausea or vomiting

• increased heart rate

• breathing is not stable

• high blood pressure

• Feeling of dissociation or separation from the body

• Hearing or vision distortions

• confusion or memory problems

• sedation or drowsiness

• hallucinations and flashbacks

long term side effects

The following side effects occur with high doses or frequent use and require immediate medical attention.

• Urinary tract problems such as frequent urination and bladder pain

• Cognitive impairments such as attention and memory problems

• addiction or psychological need

• mood disorder

• Anxiety due to chronic use

• Liver damage (very rare cases)

If you experience any symptoms or find them bothersome, seek medical attention immediately. phone 911 (Emergency number) In case of severe symptoms, or 800-222-1222 (Poison Control Center number) in case of overdose.

Tragic relationship: Ketamine and Matthew Perry

• According to Los Angeles County Medical ExaminerMatthew Perry’s death on October 28, 2023 was due to the “acute effects of ketamine.”

• Other causes of death include drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine (taken for opioid use disorder). The cause of death was accidental.

• Examiners found that the amount of ketamine he used was similar to the prescribed dose.

• They reported that ketamine causes cardiovascular “hyperstimulation and respiratory depression.”

This highlights the fact that ketamine, even at therapeutic doses, can have serious effects such as cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression. This shows the importance of proper medical supervision. Ketamine therapy is safe and effective for mental health when done correctly, but it should never be self-administered or misused.

conclusion

So, does ketamine therapy make you high? Indeed, ketamine therapy can actually get you “high” when used in high doses. But in medical applications, where health care providers administer drugs in slow, controlled doses in a clinical setting, the goal is to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety and promote healing. Health care professionals closely monitor for side effects, such as mild hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, high heart rate, and unsteady breathing, which subside after a few minutes to an hour.

Therefore, ketamine therapy is an effective and safe treatment for mental health problems when used correctly and under medical supervision.

Please also read Is ketamine addictive: symptoms, effects, side effects

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