Altered States What if Ketamine is More Addictive Than We Thought?
Oct 9, 2024
Anna Silman, a journalist exploring the dual nature of ketamine, shares her findings on its rising popularity in both therapy and nightlife. She reveals alarming trends of dependency through the personal story of Olivia, a former user recently out of rehab. They discuss how societal attitudes and marketing influence recreational use, warning that the U.S. may be underestimating addiction risks. With comparisons to the opioid crisis, they emphasize the need for a balanced view on ketamine’s therapeutic potential versus its dangers.
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Early College Experimentation
- Olivia first tried ketamine in college at a small gathering and felt cool being part of a trend.
- She later became a primary source for Anna's early reporting on ketamine use in social scenes.
Ketamine's Medical Mechanism
- Ketamine is technically a dissociative anesthetic with sedative, hallucinogenic, and stimulating effects depending on dose.
- It targets glutamate receptors and can reduce depression symptoms within 24 hours after IV use.
Substitute For Alcohol And Coke
- Olivia shifted from cocaine to ketamine in New York because ketamine provided a short, manageable downer.
- She used it to avoid alcohol's adverse effects and to quickly lower inhibitions without long hangovers.