Deep Diving the Facts in the Clinical Publication Titled: The Implications of Long-Term Ketamine Abuse on Brain Health: A Comprehensive Review Introduction
Link to referenced article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroanatomy/articles/10.3389/fnana.2022.795231/full
Ketamine, known primarily as an anesthetic, has gained popularity in recreational circles and clinical settings alike. However, its effects are drastically different depending on its use.
A study titled “Brain Changes Associated with Long-Term Ketamine Abuse: A Systematic Review” by Strous et al. delves into the neural implications of prolonged recreational ketamine abuse. This blog unpacks the significant findings and highlights the distinction between clinical and recreational use impact on overall brain health.
Key Findings:
Brain and Memory Impact –
The review reveals a direct correlation between long-term recreational ketamine use and brain changes, particularly memory deficits and brain shrinkage. Two primary factors influence these changes:
- The duration of use
- The daily dosage
Usage Patterns –
The subjects in these studies had used ketamine for an average duration of 2 to 9.7 years at an average daily dose of 2.4 grams. Which is typically snorted as a powder. In contrast, clinical use normally involves significantly lower doses (approximately 90 mg/day). A daily equivalent dose of 2.4g is equal to 2,400mg, compared to the average clinical utilization of 90mg/day coming in 27x greater dosing than what is seen in clinical settings around micro-dosing of ketamine.
Polydrug Use –
Most recreational users also used other substances like alcohol, ecstasy, amphetamines, marijuana, benzos, heroin, MDMA, cocaine, and diazepam, complicating the direct attribution of effects solely to ketamine.
Clinical vs Recreational Use:
Purity and Dosing –
Recreational ketamine differs in purity and dosage from clinical use. Recreational users do not precisely know the dose, type, or purity of ketamine they consume. Additionally, clinical use usually involves micro-dosing, which is significantly lower than recreational levels. The bioavailability of snorting ketamine is about 79% compared to 25% for clinical sublingual administration, which makes recreational doses potentially 81x more potent.
Dose-Dependent Effects –
The study reports that the memory and brain structure changes correlated with ketamine usage are dose-dependent. Low doses associated with micro-dosing of ketamine utilized in the clinical outpatient setting are noted for its antidepressant effects in patients as well as contrasting with the depressive effects observed in high-dose recreational users. Evidence exists showing micro-dosing not only offers strong antidepressant effects but also increases synapse sprouting, leading to promote neural plasticity.
Conclusion:
The study unequivocally demonstrates that the impact of ketamine on the brain is complex and highly dependent on usage patterns. While low-dose ketamine in clinical settings has been proven to offer therapeutic benefits, chronic recreational usage at high doses poses significant risks to brain health, notably in memory function and structural integrity.
These findings underscore the importance of differentiating between recreational and clinical uses of ketamine, highlighting the dangers of high-dose, impure forms used outside a medical context. Continued research and awareness are essential to mitigating the adverse effects associated with recreational ketamine use while exploring the various therapeutic benefits of micro-dosing ketamine responsibly.
If you’re interested in learning more about micro-dosing ketamine, feel free to contact our clinical team for additional resources. This including an effective and well-researched micro-dosing protocol. We have trained over 200 providers in this protocol, which has proven instrumental in addressing various health conditions. This including depression, chronic pain, and other mental health issues. Clinical data supporting these outcomes is available, and we are happy to share it with you.
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