Ketamine Dosage: What Clinics Give for IV, IM, Nasal and Oral Doses
Dosage is one of the most important factors to take into account when taking any substance. Only safe ketamine dosages will be administered in therapeutic settings. But in a recreational setting you need to be aware of what a safe ketamine dosage is.
A safe dose of ketamine is an amount that avoids damage to the organs and is non-lethal. This guide will detail what kinds of ketamine dosages are safe and which ones aren’t. Knowing this information will better help protect you and others.
RELATED: Is Ketamine Therapy For Depression Safe?
Therapeutic Ketamine Dosages Done In Clinic
In a clinical setting, ketamine is never delivered in powder form. At a ketamine clinic, you will receive a ketamine solution orally, intranasally or through IM or IV infusions. (The FDA-approved nasal spray is called Spravato.)
Ketamine dosages for conditions like depression are sub-anesthetic doses. This means they do not render patients unconscious and unable to feel pain. Doctors can use anesthetic doses of ketamine for certain operations. Let’s look at the different types of therapeutic ketamine dosages:
| Route of Administration | Typical Dosage |
| Intranasal (Spravato/Esketamine) | 28-84 mg per treatment session, typically administered twice a week for the first four weeks, then once a week to once every two weeks thereafter. |
| Oral (Lozenges/Troches) – Typically used in ketamine telehealth experiences | The dosage can vary widely depending on the indication and patient response, but often ranges from 50-200 mg per administration. This form of administration is typically used for at-home treatments, guided by a healthcare provider. |
| Intravenous (IV) | 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes is a common dosage for depression, but may vary based on the individual and the indication for use. Treatments are typically administered over several sessions. |
| Intramuscular (IM) | Dosing can be variable, typically ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg, with higher doses used in some cases. |
Interested in joining a Psychedelics Clinical Trial? Sign up here now and we will connect you with a clinical trial in your area when one becomes available.
Therapeutic Ketamine Doses Are Controlled
These dosages are generally safer due to their medical context. This context helps to increase the safety of the ketamine dosage through the following features:
- Medical supervision and care
- A set and limited number of doses
- A safe and controlled environment (you stay still during the high doses)
- The use of pure ketamine, free from adulterants
- You take ketamine on its own, not in combination with any other substances
- Ketamine preparation and aftercare
- You will undergo a health assessment before treatment. This will ensure you don’t have any underlying conditions that could negatively interact with the ketamine
Recreational Ketamine Dosages
First, recreational ketamine dosages vary depending on the route of administration. Since sourcing of recreational ketamine can typically not be verified, we do not recommend using ketamine recreationally. But, the range of these dosages is as follows:
- Intravenous (IV) injection: 50 to 100 mg
- Intramuscular (IM) injection: 75 to 125 mg
- Insufflation (intranasal or snorting): 60 to 250 mg
- Oral: 200 to 300 mg
Lower Doses of Recreational Ketamine
In lower dosages, ketamine can lead to effects such as:
- Feelings of calmness, happiness, and relaxation
- A feeling of being intoxicated or drunk
- A dream-like and detached feeling
- Confusion and clumsiness
- Changes in visual and auditory perceptions
Higher Doses of Recreational Ketamine
At the higher end of these ranges, a person can have:
- Intense dissociation
- Out-of-body experiences
- Hallucinations
- Mystical experiences
- Limited awareness of the surrounding environment
Ketamine Dosage Depends On How You Take It
If you take ketamine within the above dosage range, this is unlikely to be toxic to the body. However, this does not necessarily make the dosages — even the lower ones — safe. It all depends on the context.
For example, the route of administration can affect the safety of the experience. Snorting ketamine may damage your nasal passages if you do this on a regular basis. Also, if you use straws or rolled-up bills to snort the drug, these instruments are often not sterile or clean. And you put yourself at risk of different types of infections if you share this paraphernalia.
Injecting yourself with ketamine has its dangers, too, regardless of the dose. Improper administration or sharing needles can lead to physical harm.
Recreational Ketamine is Uncontrolled
Ketamine you buy recreationally could be adulterated with other substances. You may be taking a relatively safe dosage of ketamine, sure. But you could be taking an unsafe dosage of some unknown substance as well.
People take recreational Ketamine in uncontrolled environments also. At higher doses, ketamine can put you at a greater risk of accidents. This is due to the effects of sedation, dissociation, and poor coordination. These accidents can take place at home or out in public and become more likely when you lack supervision.
Taking High Doses Frequently Is Risky
Recreational ketamine use can result in heavy and long-term use. This increases the risk of issues such as organ damage, as well as memory issues. Ketamine dosage safety depends on how often that dosage is taken. Taking high doses frequently is risky.
Finally, many people take ketamine recreationally in combination with other substances. A ketamine dosage can become unsafe when combined with certain drugs and medications. These include alcohol and benzodiazepines, for example. These other drugs can amplify both the physical and psychological effects of ketamine. This can then put you in harm’s way.
Ketamine’s LD50 or Lethal Dose
A lethal dose (LD50) is the dosage of a drug that results in the death of 50 percent of animals in a laboratory condition. It has been estimated that the median lethal dose of ketamine for humans is 600 mg/kg or 42 g for a 70 kg person. As we can see, this ketamine dosage far exceeds the doses we have been referring to. As such, there is no need to worry about having a fatal reaction from ketamine therapy.
There is still a lot we don’t know about the safety of repeated ketamine infusions. This is because ketamine therapy for conditions like depression and PTSD is a relatively new treatment.
Some researchers have raised concerns about repeated ketamine infusions. The concern is that this could lead to addiction or cognitive impairment. When ketamine therapy is closely monitored and limited, these risks decrease. The benefits of ketamine therapy far outweigh any potential downsides for many people.
Lucia
June 4, 2023 at 7:09 pm“It has been estimated that the median lethal dose of ketamine for humans is 600 mg/kg or 4.2 g for a 70 kg person”
But 600*70 = 42,000 mg or 42 g, not 4.2 g!