ORLANDO, Fla. – Ketamine is back in the news as new court documents show former UCF basketball player Marcus Jordan is now facing ketamine possession charges stemming from a Feb. 4 DUI arrest.
Ketamine also made the news last year after the doctor who supplied ketamine to actor Matthew Perry, who died from an overdose in 2023, pleaded guilty.
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This anesthetic has a long history as an illicit psychedelic drug. A recent study from the University of California San Diego found recreational ketamine use among adults has increased 40% from 2021 to 2022.
Lately, however, it’s also been used as a possible treatment for depression, mood disorders or pain.
Here’s what to know about ketamine.
How ketamine is used
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic approved by U.S. health regulators for use during surgery in humans and animals. It can be given as an intramuscular injection or by IV. It is also sometimes used as a sedative by paramedics when dealing with an “out of control” subject, often with the help of police. Its usage is controversial, according to reporting by the Associated Press.
The drug is a chemical cousin of the recreational drug PCP. Ketamine itself has been used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It can cause hallucinations and can impact breathing and the heart.
Ketamine is not yet approved for treatment of depression or anxiety, but doctors can use it for so-called off-label uses. Scientists are currently studying why it works, especially in cases of depression where nothing else seems to help. They believe it targets a different system in the brain and allows for the regrowth of the connections between neurons.
Legality of ketamine
In Florida, and in the United States, ketamine is a Schedule III drug, which means it has acceptable medical uses, but it also still has the potential for abuse, such as the development of a high psychological dependence on the drug. There may also be a low to moderate physical dependence.
Other drugs under Schedule III include codeine, anabolic steroids and testosterone.
Ketamine therapy is allowed in Florida as long as it is administered by a health care professional. It can be done at treatment centers or at home using telehealth.
However, most insurance doesn’t cover ketamine therapy, which can cost hundreds of dollars a session.
Unlawful ketamine possession is a third-degree felony, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report