Ketamine, from Anaesthetic to Drug Abuse
摘要
This chapter reviews the use of ketamine as a drug of abuse. The recreational use of ketamine was reliably documented in 1965, three years after its synthesis by Calvin Stevens. From that moment on, its use as a street drug became rapidly popular; this was due to its low cost, rapid onset, short duration of action, and particular psychotropic effects. This last effect refers to dissociation and depersonalization (near-death experience). However, ketamine abuse is often associated with psychological and physical side effects. The literature search for non-clinical or recreational use of ketamine was conducted in medical databases. Considering the limitations of peer-reviewed information, the data are integrated with a qualitative evaluation of a series of websites, drug forums, and other online resources. Finally, the topic of the psychotogenic effect of ketamine as an antagonist of glutamatergic receptors of the N-Mehtyl-D-Aspartic acid (NMDA) type is touched upon. Finally, we review some translational models based on this specific pharmacological effect. Translational models of psychosis are addressed in relation to the proposed physio-pathogenesis of schizophrenic diseases, particularly based on the findings of our laboratory. A final conclusion points out its use as an anaesthetic, a “recreational” drug, and the risk of developing psychoses and brain damage.