Recreational Use of Ketamine and Its Interaction with NMDA Receptors

Ketamine was first synthesized in the early 1960s for use as an anesthetic and analgesic by noncompetitive antagonism of the N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor. However, the induction of unusual and substantial changes in perception and emotion (psychedelic effects) made ketamine a drug of abuse, used in a wide range of public and private settings with increasing consume all over the world. This pharmaceutical product displays a wide safety margin, but toxicological and adverse effects may occur. In that sense, increasing reports have shown cognitive impairment, hepatotoxicity, urological, and gastrointestinal toxicity associated with the recreational use of ketamine. Also, as ketamine abusers increase, concerns over its physical and psychological consequences have been raised despite the difficulty in determining its prevalence. Notwithstanding its adverse effects, the psychedelic effects of ketamine have been appointed as a promising therapy for the treatment of heroin addiction and alcoholism. Thus, further investigation should be conducted to clarify the severity of the pathophysiological conditions associated with nonmedical ketamine use in order to minimize risks.