Horse Tranquilizer Drug: What is Ketamine?
While America has seen its fair share of usage crises that span from prescription medication to makeshift chemistry, this ketamine persists as one of the most dangerous issues today.
From the coasts of California to the metropolitan streets of New York, this drug has raised the alarm for enforcers and treatment clinics in the fight against drugs because of how much damage it is causing. Conversely, the main issue that tags along with ketamine abuse is that not enough Americans know about how to properly tackle it because of the stigma.
Initially, ketamine was developed as a horse tranquilizer that veterinarians and ranch owners could use to handle horses during times of distress or sedate them for surgical procedures.
Taking the functional standpoint into consideration, horse tranquilizer remains a staple in medical and veterinary procedures because of its effectiveness. Compared to other sedatives that pose the risk of incurring complications, this drug does not suppress one’s breathing or lower their blood pressure. This essentially means that ketamine is much safer to administer than other kinds of anesthetic agents.
Horse tranquilizer drug slang
Initially, experts and drug addiction counselors considered it as the answer to the morphine or heroin dependency crisis since it made patients need less addictive painkillers. However, trouble ensued after it was later discovered that high doses could trigger visual and auditory hallucinations, making it a preferred choice by many drug addicts.
Today, the stigma surrounding ketamine has become more prevalent than ever as it continues to be used as a catalyst by budding dependents and drug addicts. Going by the names of “Horse Trank,” “K,” “Trank,” and “Special K” on the street, the drug has taken center stage in many pressing issues, such as drug addiction, date-rape, and even homelessness.
Horse tranquilizer effects on humans
After the use of the drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1970, it found itself in many other practical applications because of its effects. Once it was approved for use in humans in controlled amounts after a few trials, hospitals and dental establishments were quick to stock up on their own supply of ketamine, and many of them still use it until today.
However, apart from medical and dental procedures, ketamine was also heavily used as an anesthetic during the Vietnam War by on-field medics. Fast forward a few decades, and the same drug is being used and experimented with in treating soldiers and other patients who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression.
As it is used in both humans and animals for surgical procedures, ketamine delivers various sought-after effects that make it easier for professionals to carry out medical treatments. Conversely, the other effects that aren’t necessarily correlated with medical work have also made it a drug of choice for recreational use in settings like raves and concerts.
With even the smallest amount of ketamine in the system, anyone taking the anesthetic can experience the following effects:
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
- Sedation
- Out-of-body experiences (or feeling detached from your body)
- Confusion and clumsiness
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure,
- Lowered sensitivity to pain
Although “horse trank” is associated with various desired effects, it is also worth noting that it can pave the way for less-than-desirable experiences. When abused, the horse tranquilizer drug can cause people to experience an increased amount of anxiety, panic more often, grow increasingly violent, and go through fits of vomiting.
Is Ketamine addictive?
Contrary to the misconceptions that many budding addicts and dependents have, ketamine is a highly-addictive drug that can breed dependency much faster because of its effects. Many addicts end up making “K” their drug of choice because they believe that it is harmless to use and abuse because it doesn’t produce negative effects right away.
Similar to crack cocaine and heroin cases, continued use of ketamine can result in a strong addiction that cannot simply be shrugged off. In fact, more prominent cases of addiction and dependency on “Special K” stem from the fact that addicts become trapped in the allure that it doesn’t have negative side effects. As a result, the near-absence of unwanted experiences makes it easier to grow dependent on the drug beyond habitual use.
Ketamine addiction
Generally, there are various signs that a person is experiencing a ketamine addiction. If you’re worried that you or a loved one is growing more dependent on “Special K,” here are a few signs of abuse to watch out for:
- A demeanor that can be described as appearing “very out of it” or out of touch with reality
- A constant disorientation or having constant trouble balancing or speaking
- A persistent inability to learn and remember various bits and pieces of information
- A constant withdrawal from the society that causes one to disappear or become unavailable for days at a time
- A recurring experience of bladder or urinary tract problems
- An unstable mental condition (such as mood changes, depression, and anxiety)
- A degree of muscle rigidity (accompanied by involuntary muscle movements)
How long does Ketamine stay in your system?
Typically, the amount of time ketamine remains detectable in the body greatly depends on the method of testing applied and other personal factors that may increase or diminish its presence.
For oral fluid tests, ketamine can be detected up to 24 hours of use, which means that it can last for up to a day. Conversely, drug tests that use hair (or the keratin compounds found in strands) can detect a presence of ketamine of up to three months after use. However, it is crucial to note this horse tranquilizer drug has a half-life of one to two hours, meaning that the drug’s detectable presence in the system can actually last for a lengthy period.
Ketamine for anxiety
One of the most prevalent notions that can explain ketamine addiction and shed light on its potential for the greater good is its significant effects on anxiety effects.
Some scientists argue that “Horse Trank” dependency and addiction issues are rooted in the fact that most dependents use it to combat anxiety or depression. Laboratories are currently researching different ways to safely administer the drug and include it in treatments for individuals who struggle with anxiety disorders.
Ketamine for pain
As previously mentioned, one of ketamine’s most widespread and impactful uses is its prevalence in providing high-quality pain relief without the risks associated with other anesthetics.
Apart from anxiety, constant or lingering pain has been recognized as another catalyst of budding addictions to “Special K” due to the drug’s effect on the sensation. Although ketamine IVs are used for patients undergoing intensive surgical procedures, the drug itself has become an “alternative” to opioids for those suffering from chronic conditions or persistent injuries.
Ketamine overdose
Contrary to the “problem-free” perspective that ketamine is viewed from, the drug itself is no exception when it comes to experiencing a certain degree of overdose or toxic buildup. When an overdose of this horse tranquilizer drug takes place after continued dependence, the following effects can occur:
- A severe case of confusion or mental difficulty
- Significant pain in the chest, which is accompanied by an irregular heart rate (arrhythmia)
- A prolonged state of paralysis and seizures
- A sharp increase in blood pressure
- A loss of consciousness (coma)
If you or a loved one experience any of these warning signs, it is crucial that medical attention is sought to ensure that the overdose does not result in severe complications or death. After proper medical care is administered, we recommend finding an addiction treatment center in your area so that the addiction can be remedied.
Horse tranquilizer drug addiction is one of the most dangerous and pressing issues that persist on American soil today that leaves many people at risk of endangering their lives and those around them. Through this comprehensive and detailed guide, you will have everything you need to know about recognizing, avoiding, and preventing ketamine addiction from putting your life in danger.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/us/horse-tranquilizer-street-drug-trnd/index.html
