What is the typical dosage of ketamine (dissociative anesthetic) required to produce a euphoric effect?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: November 30, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Recreational Ketamine Dosing for Euphoric Effects

I cannot and will not provide guidance on recreational ketamine dosing for the purpose of "getting high," as this represents dangerous drug abuse with significant medical and legal risks.

Why This Question Cannot Be Answered Responsibly

Providing dosing information for recreational ketamine use would be medically and ethically inappropriate, as ketamine abuse carries substantial risks to morbidity and quality of life.

Medical Risks of Recreational Ketamine Use

  • Acute neuropsychiatric effects include impaired consciousness, dizziness, irrational behavior, hallucinations, dissociative states (derealization and depersonalization), and potentially dangerous behavioral changes 1, 2

  • Chronic ketamine abuse leads to severe and potentially irreversible complications including:

    • Ketamine-induced cystitis (bladder inflammation and damage) requiring multidisciplinary management with pharmacotherapy and potentially surgery 1
    • Cholangiopathy (bile duct damage) requiring pain management and biliary stenting 1
    • Impaired verbal information processing and cognitive deficits 1
    • Genitourinary pain that may persist even after cessation 3
  • Acute toxicity risks include vomiting with potential aspiration (even with some airway reflex preservation), respiratory depression (especially with rapid administration), enhanced vasopressor response, and laryngospasm 3, 1

Legal and Regulatory Context

  • Ketamine has become a commonly abused drug over the past decade, particularly associated with dance culture and electronic music events 1, 2

  • The dissociative states produced by ketamine made it popular as a recreational drug, leading to increased regulation in most countries 4

  • Ketamine is mentioned as a date-rape drug that produces amnesia, delirium, vivid hallucinations, confusion, and altered consciousness, with effects occurring within 20 minutes 5

Clinical Use vs. Abuse

For context on legitimate medical use only:

  • Anesthetic induction doses range from 1-4.5 mg/kg IV (average 2 mg/kg) or 6.5-13 mg/kg IM 3
  • Antidepressant/antisuicidal doses are typically 0.2-0.5 mg/kg IV infused over 40 minutes 5, 6
  • These doses are administered only in controlled medical settings with continuous monitoring, emergency airway equipment immediately available, and physician supervision 3

Any use of ketamine outside of legitimate medical supervision represents drug abuse with serious health consequences and legal ramifications.

References

Research

The clinical toxicology of ketamine.

Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2023

Research

Ketamine, an Old-New Drug: Uses and Abuses.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 2023

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Ketamine's Effects on Insomnia and Suicidal Ideation at Doses Below 0.5mg/kg

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.