Ketamine - What Kind of Drug Is It?

What Kind of Drug Is It?

Ketamine is a general anesthetic (pronounced ann-ess-THET-ik), which is a substance used to deaden pain. General anesthetics differ from local anesthetics in two key ways: 1) general anesthetics affect the entire body rather than just a specific body part; and 2) in addition to causing a loss of sensation, they bring on a loss of consciousness.

Ketamine is very similar in structure to another anesthetic called phencyclidine (fenn-SY-kluh-deen), also known as PCP. However, it is not as powerful. (An entry on PCP is available in this encyclopedia.) Both ketamine and PCP are known as dissociative anestheticsPronounced dih-SOH-shee-uh-tiv ANN-ess-THET-iks; drugs that cause users to feel as if their minds are separated from their bodies. because of the mind-altering side effects they produce.