The nonmedical use of ketamine, part two: A review of problem use and dependence.
K L Jansen, R Darracot-Cankovic
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2001 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2001.10400480 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | Argues that some nonmedical ketamine users become dependent in a manner resembling cocaine dependence, with craving and high tolerance but no physiological withdrawal syndrome, and that this dependence reflects effects ketamine shares with cocaine, amphetamine, opiates, alcohol, and cannabis as well as the psychological attractions of its psychedelic properties. |
Abstract
This is the second part of a review of the nonmedical use of ketamine. Part one discussed the history of ketamine, the sought-after effects for which it is taken in a nonmedical context, how these are produced, common adverse effects, the ketamine schizophrenia model and the neurotoxicity issue. Part two reviews what is currently known about problem use of ketamine, ketamine dependence, treatment options and harm minimization issues. Some ketamine users become dependent on the drug in a manner resembling cocaine dependence, with craving and a high tolerance but no evidence of a physiological withdrawal syndrome. The likely mechanisms of this dependence are discussed in terms of what is known about the neurochemistry of ketamine, its psychological effects, and published case histories in both the formal and informal literature. The conclusions are that ketamine dependence is linked with effects that this complex drug has in common with not only cocaine and amphetamine but also with opiates, alcohol and cannabis, as well as the psychological attractions of its distinctive psychedelic properties.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Predictors of Response to Ketamine in Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Patients with treatment-resistant depressive symptoms as part of major depressive... | 2018 | Narrative review | |
| Can psychedelic compounds play a part in drug dependence therapy? Patients with substance dependency | 2015 | Review | |
| Therapeutic potential of ketamine for alcohol use disorder. | 2021 | Review | |
| Non-parenteral Ketamine for Depression: A Practical Discussion on Addiction Potential and Recommendations for Judicious Prescribing | 2022 | Review | |
| Ketamine, an Old–New Drug: Uses and Abuses | 2023 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 27
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- Is Off-label repeat prescription of ketamine as a rapid antidepressant safe? Controversies, ethical concerns, and legal implications BMC Medical Ethics January 14, 2016
- Use and abuse of dissociative and psychedelic drugs in adolescence Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior January 27, 2021
- Self-reported prevalence of dependence of MDMA compared to cocaine, mephedrone and ketamine among a sample of recreational poly-drug users International Journal of Drug Policy July 15, 2014
- Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications International Journal of Transpersonal Studies July 1, 2014
and 22 more in the library
Cites 10
- Ketamine Psychedelic Therapy (KPT): A Review of the Results of Ten Years of Research Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 1997
- A Review of the Nonmedical Use of Ketamine: Use, Users and Consequences Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 1, 2000
- Ecstasy (MDMA) dependence Drug and Alcohol Dependence January 7, 1999
- Treatment of compulsive behaviour in eating disorders with intermittent ketamine infusions The Quarterly journal of medicine July 1, 1998
- The Ketamine Model of the Near-Death Experience: A Central Role for the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Journal of Near-Death Studies March 1, 1997
and 5 more in the library