The Ketamine Boom and Matthew Perry: Expensive, Dangerous, and En Vogue

The Risks and Growing Use of Ketamine: A Look into Ketamine Clinics, Black Market, and Off-Label Use

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic also known as “Special K” or “Super Acid,” has been the subject of growing concern as its use is on the rise. Although it has proven effective in treating certain medical conditions, including depression and PTSD, the drug’s off-label use has prompted worries among medical professionals regarding the risks it poses to patients receiving the treatment without close medical supervision. The death of actor Matthew Perry, which has been linked to ketamine, has put a spotlight on the growing use of the drug and its potential dangers, prompting calls for a closer look at how ketamine clinics are operating and how ketamine is being prescribed and distributed.

Ketamine Clinics and Off-Label Use

Ketamine clinics have sprung up across the nation in response to the rising demand for ketamine treatments. These clinics often offer intravenous treatments and prescriptions for in-home use for various ailments, including depression, PTSD, and substance abuse.

However, many clinics bundle treatments, which can cost thousands of dollars, while a single intravenous session can cost from $350 to over $700. The high cost of treatment, especially for people unable to afford it, has led to concerns among medical professionals that some companies are putting their own financial gains ahead of patient’s health.

The use of ketamine for off-label purposes not approved by the FDA, for instance, to treat depression and other mental health disorders, is a concern for medical professionals. While off-label use is common, the lack of evidence proving the safety and efficacy of ketamine’s use for treating these conditions is a significant concern.

Ketamine Black Market

The black market for ketamine has also contributed to the drug’s rising use. Law enforcement officials have noted a growing trend in self-prescribed ketamine use on the black market. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have confiscated thousands of pounds of ketamine that have been illegally imported into the U.S.

However, ketamine is not a high priority for law enforcement agencies across California; narcotic officers say that ketamine does not have the same ‘street’ presence as opioids like fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Risks and Concerns

The risks associated with ketamine use are a significant concern for medical professionals and law enforcement officials. Repeated use of the drug can have long-term effects, including addiction, psychiatric events, increased blood pressure, and slowed breathing. Additionally, the FDA has issued warnings that the drug is not approved for the treatment of psychiatric disorders and that using it for such conditions without medical supervision could put patients at risk of serious adverse events.

Medical professionals worry that the proliferation of ketamine clinics, as well as online prescription services and direct-to-consumer marketing practices, has led to a lack of regulation and oversight. They are concerned that the drug’s profitability has prompted some companies to place financial gains ahead of their patient’s wellbeing.

Ketamine and Matthew Perry’s Death

The death of actor Matthew Perry, which has been linked to ketamine, is a serious warning to the public about the risks associated with ketamine use. Detectives investigating Perry’s death are trying to determine how he obtained the drug. While ketamine is legal and commonly used as an anesthetic, its off-label use has placed it in a medical and legal gray area.

Off-label use of ketamine and the lack of regulation being seen in some clinics and online prescription services has worried medical professionals about the potential dangers to people undergoing the treatment. The FDA’s warning about ketamine use and the risks associated with it has increased scrutiny and calls for a closer examination of how ketamine clinics operate, how ketamine is prescribed, and how it is distributed.

Originally Post From https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/06/03/matthew-perry-and-the-ketamine-boom-expensive-dangerous-and-very-en-vogue/amp/