How Long Ketamine Stays in Your System

The use of ketamine is rising across the country. A 2023 government report shows that almost 300,000 adults had taken ketamine within the last year, which is the largest number ever recorded.

Yet most of us are unaware of how long the drug stays in our system, as well as the dangers present when ketamine is misused.

Let’s look at how long ketamine can be detected through different tests and the factors that affect traceability. We’ll also outline the risks inherent to ketamine abuse and misuse and what withdrawal from ketamine involves.

What is ketamine, and how is it processed in the body?

Ketamine is a fast-acting anaesthetic drug that can have powerful sedative effects. It is known as a “dissociative drug,” which means many people may feel separated or detached from their body, mind, or physical environment once ingested.

In professional medical settings, ketamine is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a general anesthetic in surgery and brief medical procedures. Doctors can use ketamine to induce anesthesia along with other anesthetics, such as nitrous oxide.

Outside of medical use, ketamine is often misused recreationally for its strong hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. Ketamine goes by many names when sold in illicit street sales, including:

• K
• Ket
• Special K
• Vitamin K
• Jet

Ketamine is most commonly sold as a grainy white or light brown powder. The most popular method of ingesting ketamine is snorting, though it can be swallowed in pill form or injected.

Once in the system, it is absorbed and processed in the liver, then broken down into metabolites known as norketamine and dehydronorketamine. These compounds are then excreted through the kidneys, primarily as urine. The drug’s effects usually wear off in a few hours, but traces can stay in your system for far longer, depending on many factors.

How long can ketamine be detected in your body?

According to leading research, ketamine has a half-life of roughly 2 to 3 hours. A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for its active substance to reduce by half. As the quantity of a drug reduces, many people experience an uncomfortable “comedown,” which can lead to cravings to take more to remain in the euphoric state.

For clinicians, it is generally believed that a drug is effectively eliminated after 4 to 5 half-lives, so almost every trace of ketamine should be out of an adult’s system in around 10 to 12 hours. However, different testing methods may still be able to find small traces. As a general guideline, these include:

• Blood test: Up to 24 hours
• Saliva test: Up to 72 hours
• Urine test: Up to 30 days
• Hair test: Up to 90 days

What factors influence ketamine detection?

As mentioned, there are varying degrees of accuracy in different testing mechanisms, as well as a host of factors that may keep ketamine detectable in your system for longer or shorter periods. These factors include:

What are the effects of ketamine and how long do they last?

Ketamine’s powerful dissociative and hallucinogenic effects impact the body in many ways. The effects felt will vary depending on dose, ingestion method and frequency of use. While some effects are short-lived, others can have long-lasting consequences, especially with regular misuse.

The effects and consequent ketamine withdrawal symptoms include:

Short-term effects

Most of ketamine’s effects have a rapid onset, usually within minutes. They will typically last between 30 minutes and 2 hours. In smaller doses, ketamine can create sensations of euphoria and relaxation, but even short-term use carries dangerous risks, including:

• Severe disorientation and confusion
• Slurred speech
• Distorted vision or hallucinations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Loss of bodily coordination

In higher doses, ketamine is known to distort perceptions and produce an experience commonly called a “K-hole.”  Researchers describe a K-hole as a phenomenological experience, marked by profound dissociation from reality that can have lasting and frightening psychological effects.

Long-term effects and signs of addiction

Repeated misuse of large amounts of ketamine causes serious harm to both physical and mental health. These risks include:

• Bladder damage (ketamine-induced cystitis)
• Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
• Depression or emotional numbness
• Hallucinations and psychotic symptoms
• Liver and kidney strain

Signs of addiction include cravings, needing higher doses of the drug and seeking drug use even when the dangers are understood. Over time, a ketamine addiction becomes impulsive and interferes with relationships and responsibilities, making professional ketamine addiction treatment a necessity.

Ketamine withdrawal symptoms

While ketamine doesn’t always produce the same physical withdrawal symptoms as substances like alcohol or opioids, psychological withdrawal from a ketamine addiction can be intense. Withdrawal after an addiction develops can result in:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Insomnia, vivid nightmares and sleep paralysis
• Depression and prolonged low moods
• Irritability, restlessness and heightened aggression
• Severe cravings

Ketamine withdrawal symptoms can last from a few days to months, depending on the length of the addiction and severity of use. Professional support often becomes a prerequisite for successful ketamine addiction treatment and reducing the risk of relapse in the future.

Where can I find help for an addiction in my life?

If substance addiction—including ketamine misuse—is starting to impact your health, relationships, mental wellbeing, or finances, it may be time to acknowledge that help is needed.

At UKAT, our clinical teams have extensive experience supporting individuals through addictions that affect every part of life.

Whether you’re concerned about your own drug use or worried about someone you care about, contact us today. It could be the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.