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Myth: Ketamine is used an animal tranquiliser

Fact: Due to the media, ketamine is widely referred to as a horse tranquiliser. In truth, ketamine can be found in almost every medical hospital in the world. While it is commonly used in veterinary medicine, ketamine is also used as an anaesthetic and analgesic for humans.

Although it is not as commonly used today as it was 40 years ago (due to its hallucinogenic effects), it is still widely used in emergency medicine or in the event where a person must be anaesthetised without ventilation (breathing) equipment.

Myth: Ketamine is not addictive

Fact: Although ketamine is not physically addictive like alcohol or heroin, people may become psychologically addicted, which can lead to intense drug binges. People who are psychologically dependent on ketamine will experience cravings and feel compelled to use the drug in situations where they want to feel good or function at their best.

Myth: Ketamine is used as a date rape drug

Fact: Ketamine has been used as a date rape drug, presumably for its sedative and paralytic effects. However, alcohol remains the most commonly used drug for date rape, followed by GHB and benzodiazepines. Like other drugs, ketamine can be difficult to discern when dissolved in liquids such as soft drink, liquor or beer.

Testing kits that claim to detect GHB, ketamine, and benzodiazepines in seconds are commercially available and are usually available in the form of paper coasters or test strips that change colour when dabbed with a drink doctored with a drug.

The safest option is to simply be aware of your drink at all times and to only accept a drink from someone if you have seen it poured by the bartender.

Myth: Ketamine can cause bad experiences

Fact: People may experience very extreme adverse reactions to ketamine, known as "bad trips". As with other hallucinogens, having a “good” or “bad” experience is often determined to a large extent by the user’s expectations and the environment in which the drug is used. The effects of ketamine vary considerably between people and may be very confusing. Some people may feel paralysed by the drug or unable to speak without slurring while others may feel nauseous or throw up. It may also be difficult to separate reality from hallucinations.

Myth: Ketamine can cause paralysis

Fact: Due to its anaesthetic qualities, larger doses of ketamine may result in loss of muscle coordination or even temporary paralysis. The paralysis will pass but may be quite frightening.

Myth: Ketamine is just another name for PCP (Angel Dust)

Fact: While ketamine has a similar chemical make-up to PCP, it is shorter-lasting and less toxic. Both drugs were created by the same pharmaceutical company for use as general anaesthetics,  ketamine effectively “replaced” PCP when it was found to induce unpredictable side effects including psychotic states. Therefore PCP is no longer legally manufactured or used in medical settings.