Ketamine

Ketamine is a medication first developed in the 1960s and originally approved for use as an anesthetic in both human and veterinary medicine. It works mainly by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, producing pain relief, sedation, and in some cases, dissociation (a feeling of detachment from reality or the body).

In medical settings, ketamine is used for:

• Anesthesia during surgery, especially in situations where maintaining breathing and circulation is important.
• Pain management in emergency or postoperative care.
• Mental health treatment, in controlled low doses, where it has shown benefits for patients with severe depression, PTSD, or anxiety who have not responded to other treatments.

Outside medical supervision, ketamine has also been misused as a recreational drug, which carries serious risks including dependence, bladder damage, and cognitive issues. Because of these concerns, it is a controlled substance in most countries and should only be used under professional guidance.