Taking a sizeable amount or consuming any amount from a strong batch of ketamine could lead to an overdose. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation3, the risk of death from ketamine alone is not high. However, a toxic amount of ketamine can still cause health problems. Most ketamine-related problems are due to mixing ketamine with other drugs, such as alcohol, GHB, and MDMA. People who have done this report symptoms like experiencing an altered consciousness, dizziness, stomach pain, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and even urinary tract issues.
People who have existing cardiac conditions or hypertension are at greater risk when consuming too much ketamine. The reason for this is that ketamine increases cardiac output, raises blood pressure, and can cause your heart to race. If you are already struggling with an existing cardiac or heart condition, it is best to avoid consuming ketamine or other mind-altering substances.
When overdoses do occur, it’s typically when ketamine levels are too high in the bloodstream. If the body cannot safely break down the toxins, it will start to shut down. This could lead to a dangerous reaction, and it could even be fatal if there isn’t immediate medical intervention.
We aren’t completely sure what could lead to a toxic buildup or overdose of ketamine. Factors, as we mentioned before, vary from person to person. Toxic buildup can occur because of the body’s inability to break down the ketamine due to an individual’s body mass, age, underlying medical or mental health conditions, and other genetic factors that could play a role. As mentioned earlier, those who have cardiac or heart issues should stay away from ketamine since complications can occur.
The way ketamine is ingested can also increase the odds of an overdose. Snorting a copious amount of ketamine can send the substance into the bloodstream faster and raise the risk for an overdose. Toxicology reports from individuals who died after using ketamine for recreational purposes found that doses between 0.1 and 7 mgl/l were present in the bloodstream when they died, according to the Emerging Health Threats4 Journal5.