Ketamine

Context (IE): Popular sitcom “Friends” actor Matthew Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine.
Ketamine is an anaesthetic listed as a hallucinogen by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
It is used for treating mental illnesses in conventional therapy-resistant patients.
It is also used as a recreational drug.
Concerns: Bladder damage, cognitive impairment, addiction, and worsening of psychiatric conditions.

Recreational Drug

A recreational drug is any drug that is used for inducing pleasure or alter one’s state of mind.
They can be legal or illegal. Their types include:
- Stimulants: Increase alertness and energy. E.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, and caffeine.
- Depressants: Produce a calming effect. E.g., alcohol, marijuana, and benzodiazepines.
- Hallucinogens: Produce hallucinations.E.g., LSD, psilocybin, and DMT.
Concerns: addiction, overdose, mental health problems, and social problems (like unemployment and crime).