Dissociatives
Ketamine, PCP, DXM, nitrous oxide — substances that produce dissociation through NMDA antagonism.
Latest reporting
Ketamine Is Still a Medicine. A Manchester Detox Ward Shows What Happens When It Stops Being One.
A UK detox unit's 59 ketamine admissions and the ACMD's 2026 review show what dependence looks like when ketamine leaves the clinic. What US providers and people using it should know.
One Dose Quieted Her Head for Two Hours. Within Weeks She Was Buying More.
A 2026 BJPsych Open case report describes a 25-year-old woman who developed ketamine addiction after one clinical dose. What it shows about relief, dependence and what clinics and clients should ask.
A Bladder Clinic for 13-Year-Olds Is What Ketamine's Growth Curve Actually Looks Like
A UK pediatric ketamine-bladder clinic has taken 100+ referrals since opening in 2025. The demographic pattern in its first 60 patients — and new dependence-psychology research — say the risk isn't evenly distributed.
Through eight lenses
Science
NMDA receptor antagonism (ketamine, PCP, DXM), nitrous as N2O NMDA + opioid.
Biology
Dissociation at moderate doses; K-hole at higher; ketamine bladder toxicity with chronic recreational use; B12 deficiency and neuropathy from nitrous.
Psychology
Dissociative experience; emerging ketamine use disorder pattern; the therapy/recreation confusion.
Policy
Ketamine Schedule III; esketamine (Spravato) FDA-approved for TRD; nitrous legal and lightly regulated; PCP Schedule II.
Trends
Ketamine clinics exploding; WhipIt+ canister culture; DXM abuse among adolescents declining.
Treatment
Ketamine use disorder — sparse evidence, harm-reduction-heavy approach.
Harm Reduction
Nitrous B12 supplementation, ketamine urinary-tract monitoring, don't mix dissociatives with depressants.