Ketamine: How Long Does It Stay In Your System?

Ketamine is a drug that can produce a short-term high, but it has a quick build-up of tolerance, requiring users to increase their dosage to achieve the same high. It is important to understand how long drugs such as ketamine stay in your system, especially if you are concerned about drug tests, health risks, or the onset of withdrawal symptoms. While the duration of drug effects varies, with some lasting an hour or less and others up to 12 hours, it's important to know that drugs can still be detected in your system long after the effects wear off. The detection time depends on various factors, including the type of drug, dosage, frequency of use, and individual factors like weight, metabolism, and medical conditions.

Ketamine's short-term high

Ketamine is a dissociative drug that causes people to feel separated or detached from their bodies or physical environment. It is typically injected, snorted, or swallowed, but it can also be smoked or taken in pill form. The effects of ketamine can be felt within one minute if injected, 5–15 minutes if snorted, and up to 30 minutes if swallowed.

Ketamine produces an abrupt high that lasts for about 30 minutes to an hour. The first feeling of the high that the user will experience is an overwhelming sense of relaxation, sometimes described as a full-body buzz. Some users feel like they're floating, and some even describe it as being out of their bodies. Many experience hallucinations that can last longer than the anesthetic effects. Higher doses can produce more intense effects, with users reporting complete and utter detachment from their bodies, described as being in a "K-hole."

The duration of the high depends on several factors, including the user's size, weight, and health, whether they are accustomed to taking it, whether other drugs are taken at the same time, and the strength of the drug.

The side effects of ketamine include disorientation and general confusion due to the drug's anesthetic nature, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. Large doses of the drug can result in a "K-hole," which includes intense and unpleasant visual and auditory hallucinations, derealization, and a frightening detachment from reality.

Tolerance and dependence

Ketamine is a corrosive drug that impacts the bladder significantly, and many regular users will experience "ket cramps" as well as potential irreversible bladder issues. It is not considered physically addictive in the same way as opioids or alcohol, but it can lead to psychological dependence, where users experience a craving for the drug and prioritise its use over other activities.

Ketamine is often described as a party drug because it acts quickly and doesn't last for an extended period. It is frequently used recreationally, particularly in the club scene, as it induces a state of bliss that is incredibly appealing and open to abuse.

Ketamine affects the brain's reward system by flooding it with dopamine, reinforcing pleasurable behaviours and encouraging the behaviour's repetition. This can lead to tolerance, where the user needs to consume more and more of the drug to achieve the same effects. The development of tolerance can also lead to users feeling uncomfortable or 'down' when not using ketamine.

Ketamine addiction is complex, and overcoming it takes more than strong willpower. The drug can cause changes in the brain that challenge self-control. The brain's reward system becomes less responsive to ketamine, and the high initially felt becomes much less intense. As a result, users may need to take higher doses of the drug to try and achieve the same feeling, which can lead to negative consequences and safety hazards, including memory impairment, mental health disorders, and even death.

Withdrawal symptoms

The keto diet, a very low-carb and high-fat diet, can also cause withdrawal symptoms. This is known as the "keto flu", and symptoms can include:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Muscle soreness
• Cravings
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Sugar cravings

These symptoms are usually temporary and not considered dangerous, but it is recommended to consult a doctor before starting a low-carb diet.

Detection times

There are several types of drug tests that can be used to detect drug use, including urine, saliva, blood, hair, and perspiration tests. Urine testing is the most common method due to its ease, affordability, and fast results. It can detect drug use from the past few days for most drugs.

• Urine: 1-5 days
• Blood: Up to 25 hours
• Saliva: Up to 2 days
• Hair: Up to 90 days

It is important to note that these are general estimates and the detection times can vary depending on individual factors such as weight, metabolism, frequency of use, and dosage.

Additionally, the effects of ketamine wear off quickly, but tolerance builds rapidly, requiring higher doses to achieve the same high. This can lead to physical and psychological dependence, with withdrawal symptoms including fatigue, confusion, shakes, decreased respiratory and cardiac functions, and loss of motor skills.

Factors influencing detection times

The detection time for ketamine in the body can vary depending on several factors. These factors can impact how quickly an individual's body is able to metabolize (break down) the drug and remove it from their system. Here are some of the key factors that can influence the detection time:

• Amount of Ketamine Consumed: The amount of ketamine taken can impact how long it stays in the system. A single dose of ketamine can result in a urine detection time of two to three days. However, taking multiple doses can extend this window, resulting in a detection time of up to two weeks. Higher or lower doses of the drug can also impact the detection time.
• Age: Age is a factor as it is known that metabolism slows down as people get older. This can lengthen the time it takes for the body to fully process drugs. Therefore, older individuals may have longer detection times compared to younger people who generally have faster metabolisms.
• Health and Vital Organ Function: An individual's health, including the function of vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, can also affect drug metabolism. People with health problems, especially liver and kidney disease, may experience longer detection times.
• Frequency and Chronicity of Use: Standard detection times for ketamine may not apply in cases of frequent or chronic, excessive use. Long-term and frequent abuse of ketamine can increase the time it takes for the body to completely eliminate the drug from the system.
• Weight and Metabolism: An individual's weight and metabolic rate can influence detection times. People with higher body fat percentages tend to have longer detection times because metabolites (what the body breaks drugs down into) can accumulate in fatty tissues. A faster metabolism can lead to quicker elimination of drugs from the body.
• Alcohol Consumption: Consuming alcohol along with ketamine can cause the drug to stay in the system for a longer period.

Frequently asked questions