I am not sure enough people are talking about ketamine as an agent of psychedelic exploration.
Of course, discussion on ketamine as a highly addictive drug of abuse is clearly established (and rightly so). Also, Ketamine as an emergency medicine for depression and suicidality is on the uptrend, which is great. But what about the psychedelic properties of ketamine? They are interesting, curious and beg for further investigation. I mean that literally, ketamine experience often comes wrapped with the implicit inclination to do it again, and again, and again. This repetition often comes with the sense of something profound and interesting to be had if we just keep going.
My consideration is this:
is the intellectual curiosity and sense of great mystery to be unveiled within the psychedelic aspects of ketamine part and parcel of its tendencies towards addiction? Furthermore, are the claims of psychonautic exploration an intellectual justification for ketamine addiction? Is there actually something happening in the k-hole that is profoundly meaningful beyond the direct impact of such an interesting experience? Is it showing us anything about living a better life or is it just wrapping us up in the seductive allure of ‘wow, that was interesting, I wonder what’s next?’ or ‘I almost understand, I just need to go a little bit deeper.
The video below explores some background on ketamine as well as my own experience with it, and a particular story of misuse and a warning sign of danger down the road.
WATCH
Related Links
- Ketamine: Clinical Significance & Recreational Harm Reduction (podcast)
- The Science Of Treating Depression With Ketamine (essay)
- The Commission on Narcotic Drugs’ attempt to restrict ketamine (article, PDF)
- James Kent on Ketamine Addiction (video)
THUMBNAIL and images within the video are thanks to Katie Anderson.
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3 Comments
very interesting! are you familiar / experienced with the dissociative DXM, quite chemically similar to ketamine and a somewhat similar subjective experience?
Yes. I am. I tried it once, at Shambhala in Canada, but I didnt really like it. Although I had a powerful revelation about my self-image and a challenge I had a with a friend, a very vulnerable but deeply honest conversation with a drug dealer, and made some spontaneous friends. Also, I think I disliked it compared to ketamine, which doesn’t give it a chance to be its own thing with its own value
Hi James,
indeed very informative. I originally saw a show on Vice, but did not realize how addictive it is. I have been considering some treatment for my depression. There are many clinics near where I live and it is legal.
Your stories help to spread both positive and negative aspects of powerful medicine and plants.
Cheers,
Sergey