Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. This means that it has both dissociative and anesthetic effects. The compound induces a trance-like state, with effects like pain relief, sedation, and amnesia.
For this reason, it has become commonly used as a medication and anesthetic for both humans and in veterinary care.
Ketamine was originally synthesized by Calvin Stevens, a professor of chemistry at Wayne State University.
In 1970, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of ketamine (sold under the brand name Ketalar) as an anesthetic.
Following FDA approval, the drug was used during the Vietnam War to treat wounded soldiers. Ketamine is a fast-acting anesthetic and analgesic, so it proved extremely useful on the battlefield.
Ketamine continues use today as an anesthetic because it, unlike other anesthetics, increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy And Treatment Clinics
It refers to the more recent application of utilizing the treatment for a range of mental health conditions.
What Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
As you can see from the name of this treatment, an infusion is involved (and typically more than one in the course of treatment).
Infusion here means that ketamine is diluted into a saline solution and then administered either intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM).
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