Ketamine: Understanding Duration And Its Impact

Ketamine, also known as 'Ket', is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that can be snorted, swallowed as a tablet, or injected. It is a popular recreational drug, but it is also used in healthcare and veterinary settings as an anaesthetic. The drug has a relatively short half-life of around 2.5 to 3 hours, which means that it takes around 10 hours to pass out of the body completely. However, it can still be detected in the body much longer after it has been taken. So, how long does 'Ket' stay in your system?

How long does it take to enter ketosis?

The time it takes to enter ketosis varies from person to person. In general, it takes 2–4 days if you eat 20–50 grams of carbohydrates per day. However, some people may take longer, and it can even take a week or more to reach this state.

People who usually eat a high-carb diet before starting a keto diet may take longer to enter ketosis than those who generally eat a low to moderate amount of carbs. This is because your body needs to deplete its glycogen stores before entering ketosis. When your body doesn't need to use glucose (sugar) for energy, it stores glycogen (connected glucose molecules) in your liver and muscles.

Some people are slower to begin producing ketones due to various factors, such as:

• Eating too many carbs
• Not eating enough fat
• Eating too much protein
• Stress and lack of sleep

Aside from how you feel and your diet, the best way to know if you're in ketosis is to test your ketone levels. You can test your ketones through your urine, blood, or breath.

How to reach ketosis faster

• Try intermittent fasting
• Cut your carb intake
• Exercise
• Increase your fat intake

What is ketosis?

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body uses fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. In this state, the body converts fat into molecules called ketones, which become the body's main source of energy when glucose is limited.

The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to put the body into a state of ketosis. Typically, the body converts carbohydrates (sugar) into glycogen for energy. However, by drastically reducing carbohydrate intake, the keto diet forces the body to use fat reserves for energy instead.

The keto diet restricts carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams per day, which is equivalent to about two large apples. After about two days to a week of restricting carbohydrates, the body starts using fat reserves for energy. This process can be accelerated by intermittent fasting, exercise, and consuming medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) found in foods like coconut oil.

It's important to note that entering ketosis may take longer for some people, especially those who typically consume a high-carb diet. Additionally, ketosis may have side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort and "keto flu" symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and increased thirst. While ketosis can lead to rapid weight loss, it may not result in more weight loss long-term compared to other diets. There are also concerns about potential long-term health complications and nutritional deficiencies associated with the keto diet.

How to know you've entered ketosis

It can be difficult to know when you've entered ketosis, and your body won't immediately reach this fat-burning state after a day of cutting carbohydrates. However, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for, as well as tests you can take to measure your ketone levels.

Symptoms

As your body transitions into ketosis, you may experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, bad breath, and increased thirst. These are sometimes known as the "keto flu".

Testing Ketone Levels

The best way to know if you've entered ketosis is to test your ketone levels. There are three types of ketones that can be measured through your urine, breath, and blood.

• Acetoacetate levels can be measured through your urine with a ketone urine strip. This is a cheap and simple way to test for ketones, but it may not be as accurate as other methods.
• Acetone levels can be measured with a ketone breath meter, such as a Ketonix. This meter flashes a colour to indicate whether you're in ketosis and what your ketone levels are.
• Beta-hydroxybutyrate levels can be measured using a blood ketone meter, which works in a similar way to a glucometer. This is the most effective method but also the most expensive.

Tips to Achieve Ketosis

If you're struggling to enter ketosis, you could try the following:

• Eat 20-50 grams of carbs per day.
• Track your carb intake.
• Limit eating out at restaurants.
• Be aware of hidden carb sources, such as condiments.
• Increase your intake of high-quality fats.
• Try intermittent fasting.
• Exercise more.
• Test your ketone levels regularly.

Factors influencing how long it takes to enter ketosis

The time it takes to enter ketosis varies from person to person, and several factors can influence this process. Here are some key considerations:

• Carbohydrate intake: The amount of carbohydrates consumed plays a significant role in reaching ketosis. Typically, individuals should aim for 20-50 grams of carbs per day to enter ketosis within 2-4 days. Consuming more than this amount may delay the process.
• Diet composition: In addition to reducing carbohydrate intake, the ketogenic diet emphasizes increasing fat consumption to 70%-80% of daily calories and moderating protein intake to less than 10%. Deviating from these guidelines, such as by consuming too much protein, can hinder ketosis.
• Physical activity: Exercise can accelerate the transition to ketosis by helping the body deplete its carb stores faster.
• Age and metabolism: Younger people tend to enter ketosis faster. Additionally, individuals with a higher metabolic rate may achieve ketosis more rapidly.
• Health status: Certain illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, can slow metabolism and thus influence the time it takes to reach ketosis.
• Prior diet: Starting the keto diet from a high-carb diet may take longer to enter ketosis compared to those who previously consumed a low-to-moderate amount of carbohydrates. This is because the body needs to deplete its glycogen stores before entering ketosis.
• Intermittent fasting: Incorporating intermittent fasting into the keto diet may help achieve ketosis faster by further reducing carbohydrate intake during the fasting period.
• Individual variation: Aside from these factors, there is inherent individual variation in how long it takes to enter ketosis. Some people may take a week or longer to reach this state, even when adhering to the keto diet guidelines.

Ways to speed up entering ketosis

Entering ketosis can be challenging and the time it takes varies from person to person. However, there are several strategies that can help speed up the process. Here are some ways to accelerate your transition into ketosis:

Reduce Carbohydrate Intake

The most important factor in entering ketosis is reducing your carbohydrate consumption. Aim to limit your carb intake to 20-50 grams per day. This restriction forces your body to use fat, instead of glucose, as its primary energy source. Remember that everyone's carb limit is different, so you may need to experiment to find your optimal range.

Increase Physical Activity

Increasing your physical activity can help deplete your body's glycogen stores. Normally, these stores are replenished by eating carbohydrates. However, when following a low-carb diet, your body will turn to fat as an alternative fuel source, accelerating your transition into ketosis. Exercise can also help manage symptoms associated with the "keto flu," such as fatigue.

Fasting or Intermittent Fasting

Fasting for short periods or adopting an intermittent fasting approach can be an effective way to reach ketosis. By going without eating for several hours or following a controlled fasting protocol, you can encourage your body to switch to using fat for fuel. Always consult a healthcare professional before attempting any form of fasting.

Increase Healthy Fat Intake

Replacing carbohydrates with healthy fats is a key aspect of the ketogenic diet. Aim to get 55-60% of your calories from healthy fat sources such as avocados, avocado oil, fatty fish like salmon, nuts, nut butter, extra virgin olive oil, and fatty fish. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as extremely high-fat intake doesn't necessarily translate into higher ketone levels.

Consume More MCT Oil

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), found in MCT oil, can help you reach ketosis even when consuming more protein and carbs than a typical keto diet. MCTs are rapidly absorbed and can be used immediately for energy or converted into ketones. They have been used successfully in children with epilepsy to induce ketosis without drastically restricting carbs.

Test Ketone Levels

Monitoring your ketone levels can help you track your progress and make adjustments to your diet. Simple tests like strips and monitors are available to check ketone levels in your urine, breath, or blood. This can help you fine-tune your approach and ensure you're on the right track.

Maintain Adequate Protein Intake

While the keto diet emphasizes fat intake, it's important to maintain an adequate protein intake as well. This is crucial for supplying your liver with amino acids for gluconeogenesis, a process where your body converts protein into glucose. It also helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss. Consult a healthcare professional to determine your optimal protein intake based on your activity level and goals.

Be Mindful of Hidden Carb Sources

Condiments, sauces, and dressings can be surprisingly high in carbohydrates. Being mindful of these hidden carb sources and tracking your carb intake can help ensure you stay within your desired range and accelerate your transition into ketosis.

Try a Fat Fast

In addition to short-term fasting, you can also try a fat fast, where you consume a high percentage of your calories from healthy fats for a short period. This approach has been used to help children with epilepsy enter ketosis quickly and reduce seizures.

Exercise in a Fasted State

Exercising in a fasted state has been shown to increase ketone levels. Working out before eating can help deplete your body's glycogen stores and encourage the production of ketones. However, it may take 1-4 weeks for your body to fully adapt to using ketones and fatty acids as primary fuel sources, so be patient and consistent.

Frequently asked questions