Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that is also known as “ket,” “special K,” or “K.” While the drug is widely used in veterinary medicine, it may also be used medicinally for pain relief or sedation during medical procedures. As of recently, ketamine has also been approved to treat instances of treatment-resistant depression.
Ketamine is sometimes abused recreationally for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects, which can make users feel detached from their body or reality. This misuse can lead to a variety of short- and long-term health risks.
Ketamine is classified as a dissociative drug, and it’s illegal to use without a prescription. In this article, we’ll explore how long ketamine stays in your system. You will learn:
- How long Ketamine shows up on drug tests
- Factors that affect how quickly ketamine leaves the body
- The effects of ketamine
- What happens during withdrawal
- Where to find treatment
If you or a loved one are struggling with drug abuse and need treatment, please contact our team at First Step Behavioral Health today.
How Long Ketamine Stays in the Body: Estimated Detection Times
Ketamine can be identified in your body through several types of tests:
- Saliva test – Ketamine can be detected in saliva for up to 24 hours after use.
- Blood test – Blood tests can detect ketamine for up to three days, though they are most accurate within the first 24 hours.
- Urine test – Ketamine can show up in urine for up to 14 days after use, though in some cases, it may be detectable for as long as 30 days.
- Hair test – Ketamine can be detected in hair or hair follicles for up to four months after a single dose.
Ketamine Half-Life
After ketamine is taken, the liver breaks it down into less active substances. About 90% of ketamine leaves the body through urine as these byproducts. The half-life of ketamine, or the time it takes for half of the drug to leave the body, is around 2.5 hours in adults.
In general, it takes about 4-5 half-lives for a drug to be mostly cleared from the body, so ketamine is usually eliminated from an adult’s system in about 10 to 12.5 hours.
Factors that Affect How Long Ketamine Stays in Your System
There are several factors that affect how long ketamine stays in your system:
Dose of ketamine
Larger doses of ketamine take longer to process, as the body has to work harder to break down and eliminate more of the substance.
Frequency of use
Regular use of ketamine can lead to a build-up in the body, especially if you take another dose before the last one has cleared. This build-up can extend the time it takes for ketamine to fully leave your system.
Age and overall health
Younger, healthier people tend to process ketamine faster because their bodies generally have a quicker metabolism. As you age, this process slows down, so older adults may take a longer amount of time to eliminate the drug.
Liver and kidney function
Your liver and kidneys play a key role in filtering and eliminating ketamine. If either organ is not functioning properly, it can slow down how quickly the drug is processed and excreted.
Hydration levels
Since ketamine is mostly excreted through urine, staying hydrated can help speed up the process. Drinking plenty of water means you’ll urinate more frequently, which can help flush the drug out of your system faster.
Metabolism
People with faster metabolisms are able to break down and remove substances like ketamine more quickly. On the other hand, those with slower metabolisms will take longer to clear the drug.
Body mass
Individuals with a higher body mass may process ketamine faster because the drug makes up a smaller proportion of their total body weight. In contrast, smaller individuals may take longer to metabolize the drug.
Mixing ketamine with other substances
If ketamine is used along with other drugs, your body has to break down multiple substances at once. This can slow down the process of eliminating ketamine and other drugs from your system.
How Long Do the Effects of Ketamine Last?
When taken recreationally or for medical purposes, ketamine typically starts to work within a few minutes, especially if injected. When taken orally or snorted, it may take a little longer, around 10-15 minutes.
Effects usually peak within 30 minutes and wear off after about 1-2 hours. Lingering effects like confusion or feeling detached from reality can last for a few hours more. Some users may feel groggy or spaced out for up to 24 hours.
Common side effects of ketamine include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Increased heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Loss of coordination
- Drowsiness
What Happens During Ketamine Withdrawal?
After taking ketamine, the only way to get it out of your system is to stop taking it and let your body detox. However, ketamine can be habit-forming, so regular users may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it cold turkey.
During ketamine withdrawal, a person may experience both physical and psychological symptoms, including:
- Intense cravings for ketamine
- Anxiety or agitation
- Fatigue or extreme tiredness
- Depression or mood swings
- Nightmares or vivid dreams
- Difficulty concentrating
- Tremors or shaking
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Nausea or loss of appetite
These symptoms vary in intensity and can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the level of dependence and how long the person has been using ketamine.
Treatment for Ketamine Abuse and Addiction
Ketamine, especially in high doses, can have devastating effects on your physical and mental health. If you or someone you love abuse ketamine, it’s time to consider seeking help.
1st Step Behavioral Health is a licensed dual-diagnosis long-term addiction treatment facility that is accredited by the Joint Commission. We focus on the physiological rebalancing of the individual through medical, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual care. With a complete continuum of care, including medical detox, residential treatment, and outpatient care, we’re equipped to help you through each stage of your recovery.
To learn more about our treatment programs or to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please reach out to us today.
References:
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Ketamine
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: What to Know About Ketamine
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Ketamine
- Science Direct: Mechanisms of ketamine and its metabolites as antidepressants
- Psychiatry Online: A Potential Case of Acute Ketamine Withdrawal: Clinical Implications for the Treatment of Refractory Depression
