How Long Does Ketamine Last?
The length in which the effects of ketamine are felt can vary based on dosage, methods of administration, and other factors. The dissociative effects of Ketamine can appear in as little as 1 minute if injected intravenously and in as many as 30 minutes if swallowed. The immediate dissociative effects can last around 30 to 60 minutes, but the secondary effects can last hours, days, or even several weeks.
The way ketamine—or any other drug—affects you depends on many factors, including:
- your age and your body weight
- how much you take and how often you take it
- how long you've been taking it
- the method you use to take the drug
- the environment you're in
- whether or not you have certain pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions
- if you've taken any alcohol or other drugs (illegal, prescription, over-the counter or herbal).
A half-life is how long it takes for 50% of a substance to be eliminated from your body. For a substance to be considered effectively eliminated ( greater than 95%), it takes 4 to 5 successive half-life eliminations. Ketamine has a relatively short half-life of 2.5 hours. Effective elimination from the body should occur in 10 to 12.5 hours.
Methods of Administration and duration to feeling effects of Ketamine
There are four typical routes that ketamine is administered:
Intravenous (IV)
Administering ketamine intravenously is common in medical settings, providing rapid onset of effects, usually within minutes. This is the most common form of ketamine therapy.
Intramuscular (IM)
Intramuscular injections are another effective method, with effects manifesting within 5-10 minutes.
Nasal Spray
Nasal spray delivery, such as with esketamine, offers a middle ground in terms of onset speed, typically around 5-10 minutes.
Sublingual
Sublingual (under the tongue) administration of ketamine results in a slower onset and lower bioavailability, taking about 20-30 minutes for effects to appear.
Duration of Ketamine
Immediate Benefits
The immediate effects of ketamine can be felt within minutes, especially with IV administration. These include dissociation, pain relief, and sedation.
Short-term Benefits
Short-term effects last from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the dose and method of administration. Users may experience altered perceptions, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment from reality.
Long-term Benefits
Long-term effects can persist for several hours to days, particularly the antidepressant effects, which may last up to a week following a single dose.
How long does ketamine stay in your system
Ketamine typically clears the system of people who take it within one to three days. However, it can show up on drug tests for longer because ketamine breakdown products called metabolites are left behind. A standard drug screening panel won’t detect ketamine, but specialized tests can.
Depending on the type of test that is conducted, ketamine can appear in your system much longer.
- In a urine test, ketamine can show up in a result for up to 14 days. 30 days has even been recorded in some studies.
- In a hair test, ketamine usage can show up for months after usage
- In a blood test, ketamine only shows up for around 24 hours after the last use.
Factors Influencing Ketamine Effect Duration
Dosage
Higher doses of ketamine result in longer-lasting effects, both in terms of intensity and duration.
Method of Administration
IV administration provides the quickest onset and shortest duration, while oral administration leads to a prolonged effect due to slower absorption.
Individual Variability
Individual factors such as age, weight, metabolic rate, and overall health can significantly influence how long ketamine's effects last.
Tolerance
Repeated use of ketamine can lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects, which may alter the duration of its impact.
FAQs
How quickly does ketamine take effect?
Ketamine can take effect within minutes when administered intravenously and within 5-10 minutes when administered intramuscularly or via nasal spray.
Can ketamine be used for chronic pain?
Yes, ketamine is used for chronic pain management, providing relief that can last several hours to days.
What are the signs of ketamine overdose?
Signs of ketamine overdose include severe confusion, inability to move, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
How does ketamine affect the brain?
Ketamine affects the brain by blocking NMDA receptors, which play a role in pain perception, mood regulation, and memory.
Please note: Intended for educational and informative purposes only and not intended to serve as medical or professional advice. For medical attention or advice you should consult your physician or other health care professional.
