An Overview of Kentamine From a Broader Spectrum

5 months ago

One drug, three functions. It first was introduced as an Anesthetic but then gained attention for its ability to treat mental health conditions including depression but as you might have thought, it also found its way into the hands of people who use it for recreational purposes for hallucinogenic and dissociative effect in people. Before you sweat it out in finding which drug it is, it is Ketamine.

It was first synthesized in the 1960s as a anesthetic which is a sedative, and this is one important use of it. It was one time used for a rescue mission in Thailand to save some boys and their soccer coach who found themselves in a flooded cave. It became a recreational drug in the 1980s with names like Special K and Cat Valium. In 2019, a spray form of Ketamine (Spravato [esketamine]) was approved by the FDA is a nasal spray antidepressant.

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In the case of therapeutic use, patients who suffer from mental conditions such as treatment resistant depression can use this to reflect on their thoughts from a different perspective under the supervision of a medical practitioner. This is because, unlike other medical depressants, it doesn't attack the serotonin system, rather its mechanism of action acts on the NMDA receptors which is part of the excitatory neurotransmitter system and a part of the glutamate pathway leading to a rapid increase in glutamatergic activity. The entire jargon I wrote previously can be explained in simple term that it leads to mood elevation. This is why it gives hope to people who are depressed when used under the supervision of a doctor.

The effect of Ketamine in patients with mood can be very impressive as it can distrupt harmful neuro circuits but its mood improvement can be temporary, and would require ongoing therapy sessions to sustain the effect of the drug will require a several therapy treatment. Patients who undergo ketamine therapy experience changes such as disconnection from the body, altered visual perception, and altered auditory perception during the therapy although this altered perception vary in individuals and it is dependent on dosage, individual physiology, and physiological state.

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Ketamine has a positive effect on neuroplasticity which is helping the brain form new neural connections. Ketamine activates synaptic plasticity causing the production of new synapses. Ketamine Treatment can come with side effects like Mild Nausea, Dizziness, sense of Disorientation, vomiting, high blood pressure and headache but they tend to diminish over consequent usage but on the long term it can lead to memory problems, liver inflammation, liver dysfunction, gallbladder inflammation, and liver failure.

Ketamine doesn't attack one system of the brain rather it attacks dozens of system but it has a weak effect on Opiate receptors (dopamine system) unlike drugs like cocaine and heroine but affect Glutamate. In high doses, ketamine blocks glutamate and this is why it is an anesthetic drug but in low amount, it ramps up glutamate production. Talking about its quick cognitive improvements, research is still ongoing on its long term impact on brain function.