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In the last few years, the use of ketamine for subcutaneous or surface anaesthesia has become popular. Also known as special K, ‘K’, kit kat, cat valium and green apple quick; Ketamine is a widely used anaesthetic drug that belongs to the dissociative class of drugs. It is mainly used as an anaesthetic and analgesic agent where low doses act as a tranquilizer while high doses lead to a sensation of being in another world or “K-hole”. To understand the science behind this effect, we have to go back in time to comprehend its journey till date. Let us take you on a brief journey into the history of ketamine...
The History of Ketamine
The first description of ketamine was published in 1962 by Parke-Davis, when it was discovered as a potential anaesthetic agent. However, the first successful human trial was done only in 1968 and the first clinical use of ketamine for anaesthesia was done in 1970. The actual breakthrough for the use of ketamine came in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when research showed it had excellent properties as a general anaesthetic with fewer side effects compared to other drugs in its class. During the 1960s, ketamine was one of the most widely used general anaesthetic drugs in the United States. It was used in more than 80% of all anaesthetic procedures. In the 1970s, its popularity declined after reports of adverse psychological reactions following administration of the drug in both children and adults. These reactions included hallucinations, delirium, disorientation, and amnesia. During the early 1980s, the drug was used as a club drug in many places around the world, often being used in combination with other drugs; most commonly MDMA or other amphetamines.
1960s: Discovered as a potential anaesthetic agent
The first successful human trial was done only in 1968, and the first clinical use of ketamine for anaesthesia was done in 1970. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, research showed ketamine had excellent properties as a general anaesthetic with fewer side effects compared to other drugs in its class. During the 1960s, ketamine was one of the most widely used general anaesthetic drugs in the United States. It was used in more than 80% of all anaesthetic procedures. In the 1970s, its popularity declined after reports of adverse psychological reactions following administration of the drug in both children and adults. These reactions included hallucinations, delirium, disorientation, and amnesia.
1970s: Labeled as a date rape drug and branded as a club drug
By the 1980s, ketamine was labeled as a date rape drug and branded as a club drug. During the early 1980s, the drug was used as a club drug in many places around the world, often being used in combination with other drugs; most commonly MDMA or other amphetamines. Around this time, ketamine was also used in some psychotherapy treatments, but the drug’s reputation was marred by some high-profile cases in which the drug was used to subdue victims for theft, sexual assault, and even homicide.
1980s: Discovered to have therapeutic benefits for Depression and PTSD
Around the turn of the century, ketamine was again discovered to have therapeutic benefits for Depression and PTSD. Around the turn of the century, ketamine was again discovered to have therapeutic benefits for treating severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and opioid use disorder. During this time, ketamine was used in both clinical and experimental settings. Clinical physicians used ketamine as a short-term antidepressants, while experimental researchers were investigating how ketamine might be useful in treating depression that doesn’t respond to other treatments.
2000s: Was discovered to be helpful in the treatment of chronic pain
Around the turn of the century, ketamine was discovered to be helpful in the treatment of chronic pain. Around the turn of the century, ketamine was discovered to be helpful in the treatment of chronic pain caused by conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. At this time, ketamine made headlines again when it was discovered that lower doses of the drug were just as effective as higher doses in treating chronic pain, while having fewer side effects compared to higher doses.
2013 – 2016, More research is done on ketamine for treating chronic pain
Around this time, more research is done on ketamine for treating chronic pain. Ketamine is said to be a promising treatment for chronic pain. Even though ketamine has been used for anesthesia, there is growing evidence that it can also be used for pain. The idea behind ketamine as a pain treatment is that it works on the same receptors in the brain as opioids (morphine, codeine, oxycodone, etc.). Using ketamine for pain can reduce the need for opioids. This may help reduce the risk of opioid misuse and the risk of opioid side effects.
2017 – Present, FDA approves ketamine spray for anesthesia.
In September 2017, the FDA approved ketamine spray for anesthesia. Ketamine has been used as an anaesthetic in the operating room since the 1970s. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in ketamine because it can be given as a “spray-on” anaesthetic that can be applied under the skin and is absorbed slowly over time. This is a new way of giving ketamine. It is called “transdermal” and is used when someone needs a general anaesthetic. This article provides a brief history of ketamine, including its discovery as an anaesthetic, its use as a date rape drug in the 1970s, and its recent application in managing chronic pain.
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