Ketamine's Duration: How Long Does A Line Last?

Ketamine, also known as 'Ket', 'Special K' or 'K', is a powerful hallucinogenic drug. The effects of a line of ketamine can last anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes, depending on the dosage and method of administration. When snorted, the effects of ketamine are usually felt within 10 to 15 minutes and can last between 30 and 60 minutes. The duration of the high can vary depending on individual factors such as age, body mass, metabolic rate, and dosage. While the effects of ketamine may wear off relatively quickly, the drug can still be detected in the body for a much longer period.

Ketamine's half-life

The half-life of ketamine, or the time it takes for 50% of the drug to leave the body, is about 2.5 hours for adults and 1 to 2 hours in children. This means that the majority of ketamine should be out of an adult's system within 10 to 12.5 hours.

The duration of the drug's effects depends on several factors, including age, body mass, metabolic rate, dosage, and route of administration. When snorted, the effects of ketamine are usually felt after around 10 to 15 minutes and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Ketamine has a high potential for addiction, and chronic users may experience cravings when trying to quit. Treatment options are available for those struggling with ketamine abuse.

Factors affecting how long it stays in your system

The duration of ketamine in one's system depends on several factors, which are outlined below:

Age and Overall Health

Younger and healthier individuals tend to clear ketamine from their system faster than older people due to their typically faster metabolisms. Ketamine is primarily excreted through urine, so being well-hydrated can also lead to faster elimination through more frequent urination.

Kidney and Liver Function

The kidneys and liver are responsible for flushing ketamine from the body. Impaired kidney or liver function can result in a slower elimination process.

Body Mass

Individuals with higher body mass tend to metabolize ketamine faster than those with smaller body mass. This is because the amount of ketamine in their system represents a smaller proportion of their overall body mass.

Ketamine Dosage

The higher the dosage of ketamine, the longer it will take for the body to eliminate it.

Frequency of Use

Regular and frequent ketamine use can lead to a buildup in the body, making it take longer to fully eliminate the drug.

Mixing with Other Drugs

When ketamine is taken alongside other drugs, the body has to break down multiple substances simultaneously, which can prolong the elimination process.

Ketamine's effects

Ketamine, often referred to as 'Ket', 'Special K' or 'K', is a powerful hallucinogenic drug. It is a dissociative anaesthetic that makes users feel disconnected from their body. It can be snorted, swallowed as a tablet, injected, or mixed into drinks. The effects of ketamine can be felt within minutes of taking the drug and can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, or even several hours or days, depending on the dosage and method of administration.

The immediate effects of ketamine include:

• Feelings of euphoria, relaxation and pleasure
• Feeling detached from your body and surroundings
• Altered perception of space and time
• Amnesia
• Inconsistent breathing
• Reduced blood pressure
• Uncoordinated movement
• Uncontrollable muscle spasms
• Seizure-like symptoms
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Flashbacks

The duration of these effects depends on the dosage and method of administration. When injected, the effects can be felt within 1-2 minutes, and last for 20-30 minutes. When taken orally, the effects can take 20-30 minutes to kick in and can last between 60 and 90 minutes. When snorted, the effects can be felt within 5-15 minutes and can last for 30-60 minutes.

The 'high' from ketamine can last for 30 to 60 minutes, and then the effects can persist for weeks. These longer-term effects can include:

• Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
• Degraded sense of smell (if snorted)
• Mood and personality changes
• Poor mental faculties like memory, thinking, and concentration
• Abnormal liver or kidney function
• Small, painful bladder (ketamine bladder syndrome)
• Increased dosage requirements to achieve the same effect

The half-life of ketamine is around 2.5 hours, which means it takes around 10 hours for the substance to pass out of the body completely. However, ketamine and its metabolites can be detected in the body for much longer—up to 14 days in urine tests and more than one month in hair tests.

Detection in tests

The length of time that ketamine can be detected in the body depends on the type of test being used.

Urine Test

Ketamine can be detected in urine for up to 14 days after last use. However, some studies suggest that it can be detected for as long as 30 days, and even up to a few weeks after a single dose.

Blood Test

A blood test can detect ketamine in the system for up to 3 days after use, although it is most effective within the first 24 hours. Other sources suggest that it can be detected for up to 15 hours.

Saliva Test

Saliva tests can detect ketamine for up to 24 hours after use.

Hair Test

Hair tests can detect traces of ketamine in the hair and hair follicles for up to 4 months after a single use. As of 2023, no significant studies have been published on ketamine disappearance from hair, but studies of other drugs have found that hair testing can detect most drugs for up to 90 days.

Ketamine withdrawal

The duration of ketamine's effects depends on how it is administered, lasting anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes. Its half-life is about 2.5 hours in adults, and it is estimated that the drug is effectively eliminated after 4-5 half-lives, which is about 10 to 12.5 hours in adults.

Now, onto the topic of ketamine withdrawal. Ketamine withdrawal refers to the symptoms and effects experienced when a person abruptly stops or reduces their ketamine use after prolonged and frequent consumption. Ketamine is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that can be injected, snorted, or swallowed. It is known to produce a sense of detachment from one's body and surroundings, distort perceptions, and induce euphoria.

Withdrawal symptoms occur because ketamine has altered opioid receptors in the brain. While ketamine withdrawal is rarely deadly, the symptoms can be uncomfortable and dangerous, and it is recommended to seek medical help during this process. Symptoms are primarily psychological in nature and can include:

• Intense cravings for ketamine
• Irregular and rapid heartbeat
• Severe depression and anxiety
• Aggression and irritability
• Paranoia and psychosis
• Panic attacks and insomnia
• Suicidal thoughts
• Stomach cramps
• Vision and hearing problems
• Bladder pain
• Sweating

The duration of ketamine withdrawal can vary, lasting from 72 hours to several weeks. Symptoms typically set in between 24 to 72 hours after the last dose. The severity and duration depend on factors such as the amount of drug in the individual's system, their tolerance level, the duration of their drug use, and whether they were using other drugs concurrently. By day 15, most withdrawal symptoms stabilize, but some psychological issues may persist for several weeks.

To manage withdrawal symptoms, medical professionals may recommend slowly tapering the ketamine dose over several days or weeks, making the detox process more gradual and controlled. This can help lessen cravings and make it easier for the individual. Additionally, medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms and reduce cravings.

Frequently asked questions