Street Names & Slang for Ketamine

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that people abuse to experience mind-altering side effects. It is approved for medicinal use in small doses, however, people who abuse ketamine are buying it off of the street. Sometimes it is also used in high doses as a date rape drug.

Ketamine is a controlled substance that can cause hallucinogenic effects, sensory perception changes, feelings of euphoria, and more. Criminals might use it to facilitate sexual assault as it causes sedative effects and memory loss.[1] On the other hand, it is also considered a club drug because the high can be enjoyable in club and rave settings.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 7.4 million people in the United States reported abusing dissociative drugs like ketamine in 2021.[2]

If you are worried that your loved one is abusing ketamine, you should be aware of the street names and slang terms. Your loved one might refer to ketamine as Special K, Kit Kat, or Vitamin K.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are the effects of ketamine?
• What are the drug slang terms for ketamine?
• Signs that your loved one is abusing ketamine
• Symptoms of a ketamine overdose

What are the Effects of Ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that can induce a trance-like state when abused. Ketamine might come in liquid, powder, tablets, or even a nasal spray. No matter what form ketamine comes in, abusing it can be dangerous.

The effects of ketamine may include:[3]

• Changes in sensory perception
• Feeling disconnected from your surroundings and body
• Slurred speech and blurry vision
• Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
• Dilated pupils and rapid eye movements
• Slight visual and auditory hallucinations
• Loss of physical sensations or difficulty feeling pain
• Temporary paralysis and memory loss

Ketamine has been known as a date rape drug for decades. It is completely colorless and tasteless, which allows predators to easily spike their victim’s drinks.[3] As a result, you should never leave your drink unattended.

If you abuse ketamine purposefully to experience a high, you could experience physical health problems and increased mental health issues. You should seek professional addiction treatment to overcome your substance abuse and achieve sobriety from ketamine.

What are the Street Names for Ketamine?

If your loved one is abusing ketamine, they might use slang terms to refer to it. This prevents the people around them from knowing they are discussing substance abuse. Knowing the street names will help you decipher whether your loved one is abusing ketamine.

Ketamine street names include:

• Special K
• Cat killer
• Cat valium
• Bump
• Green or green K
• Fort Dodge
• Honey oil
• K or Ket
• Jet
• Kit kat
• Purple
• Psychedelic heroin
• Super acid
• Super C
• Purple
• Special Coke
• Vitamin K

There are also slang terms that can describe the high that ketamine causes. These include:

• K Land- a mellow high caused by ketamine that causes feelings of bliss and slight sensory changes

• K Hole- an out-of-body experience caused by a high dose of ketamine

• Baby Food- a blissful high on ketamine that makes someone feel like they are a baby again

• God- being so high on ketamine that you believe you have seen God

Because people take high doses of ketamine to experience something known as a K-Hole, overdoses are a serious risk. If you believe someone you love is overdosing on ketamine, contact 911 immediately.

How to Tell if Your Loved One is Abusing Ketamine

While knowing the slang terms for ketamine can help you determine if your loved one is abusing it, there are other signs to look out for.

The signs that your loved one is abusing ketamine include:

• Physical signs of intoxication like sensory changes, dilated pupils, and disorientation
• Isolating from friends and loved ones
• Slurred speech or coordination issues
• Displaying changes in mood or aggressive behavior
• Displaying a preoccupation with ketamine and other drugs
• Frequenting clubs and raves
• Changes social circles to hang out with other people who abuse ketamine
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they are sober
• Dealing with sudden and unexplained money troubles

If your loved one frequently abuses ketamine, they might have a substance use disorder. Addiction treatment centers can help them achieve long-term sobriety and regain control over their life. Contact New Jersey Addiction Interventions to get connected with a top-rated rehab program in your area.

Signs of a Ketamine Overdose

If your loved one abuses ketamine a lot, you should be aware of the signs of overdose. You should contact 911 immediately if you believe someone is overdosing on ketamine.

The signs of a ketamine overdose include:[4]

• Sedation and loss of consciousness
• Not responding to stimuli
• Slowed or stopped breathing
• Low blood pressure and slow heart rate
• Cardiac arrest
• Stupor or confusion
• Seizures
• Coma

If you or a loved one has been dosed with ketamine without your knowledge, seek emergency medical attention. Your healthcare professional will help you contact law enforcement, have you tested for ketamine, and attempt to catch the person who has spiked your drink.

Find Help for Ketamine Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one suffers from ketamine addiction, it’s time to seek help. New Jersey Addiction Interventions can help you find a drug rehab program that suits your needs.

Contact us today for more information on how we can help you find an addiction treatment center.

References:

1. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault 
2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs
3. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Ketamine Fast Facts
4. Up to Date: Ketamine Toxicity