# K-hole > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/K-hole > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/K-hole.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-hole > Source revision: 1346729723 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Condition after taking ketamine}} {{about|the effect of ketamine|the trend forecasting group|K-HOLE (trend forecasting group)}} thumb | right | alt=Ketamine crystals on a glass plate | Ketamine crystals on a glass plate A '''K-hole''' is a transient [dissociative](/source/dissociation_(psychology)) state experienced during [ketamine](/source/ketamine) intoxication. Often referred to as "K-holing," this state is characterized by total detachment from one's body and environment, rendering users completely immobilized. Although occasionally sought intentionally by users who consider the experience of K-holing spiritually or recreationally valuable, it is typically considered undesirable and frequently occurs due to accidental overdose. The high dosages of ketamine necessary to induce a K-hole are unsafe and carry significant physical and psychological risks associated with both acute toxicity and chronic exposure.{{Cite journal |last1=Wood |first1=Dan |last2=Cottrell |first2=Angela |last3=Baker |first3=Simon C. |last4=Southgate |first4=Jennifer |last5=Harris |first5=Maya |last6=Fulford |first6=Simon |last7=Woodhouse |first7=Christopher |last8=Gillatt |first8=David |date=June 2011 |title=Recreational ketamine: from pleasure to pain: RECREATIONAL KETAMINE |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.10031.x |journal=BJU International |language=en |volume=107 |issue=12 |pages=1881–1884 |doi=10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.10031.x|pmid=21314885 |s2cid=44450934 |url-access=subscription }} == Recreational usage == Ketamine is an [NMDA receptor antagonist](/source/NMDA_receptor_antagonist), developed in the 1960s to induce anesthesia in patients but recreational users have found great appeal in its antidepressant, dissociative and hallucinatory effects that are characteristic of the K-hole experience. Whereas the common [recreational](/source/Recreational_drug_use) dose of ketamine is approximately 30–75 mg, a dose of more than 150 mg is required to enter the K-hole.{{Cite web |title=Ketamine |url=https://www.bdp.org.uk/get-information/drugs-information/ketamine/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Bristol Drug Project |language=en-GB}} == Experiences == Experiencing a K-hole varies greatly for each individual. The intensity and length are influenced by the users' current [mental state](/source/mental_state), previous experience and drug dosage.{{Cite journal |last1=Stirling |first1=John |last2=McCoy |first2=Lauren |date=December 2010 |title=Quantifying the psychological effects of ketamine: from euphoria to the k-hole |journal=Substance Use & Misuse |volume=45 |issue=14 |pages=2428–2443 |doi=10.3109/10826081003793912 |issn=1532-2491 |pmid=21039109|s2cid=207520095 }} Ketamine induces dose-related effects that include distortion of time and space, hallucinations and mild dissociative effects. During a K-hole, users experience a high level of detachment from the environment, resulting in an inability to respond to surroundings and move their bodies functionally.{{Citation |last1=Rosenbaum |first1=Steven B. |title=Ketamine |date=2022 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470357/ |work=StatPearls |place=Treasure Island (FL) |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |pmid=29262083 |access-date=2022-05-17 |last2=Gupta |first2=Vikas |last3=Palacios |first3=Jorge L.}} During these states, [perception](/source/perception) seems to lie deep within [consciousness](/source/consciousness) so that the [reality](/source/reality) of the "outside" world appears to reside in the distance. A high number of recreational users report that the most appealing effects of this experience are "melting into surroundings", "visual hallucinations", "out of body experience" and "giggliness".{{Cite journal |last1=Muetzelfeldt |first1=L. |last2=Kamboj |first2=S. K. |last3=Rees |first3=H. |last4=Taylor |first4=J. |last5=Morgan |first5=C. J. A. |last6=Curran |first6=H. V. |date=2008-06-01 |title=Journey through the K-hole: Phenomenological aspects of ketamine use |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871608000550 |journal=Drug and Alcohol Dependence |language=en |volume=95 |issue=3 |pages=219–229 |doi=10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.01.024 |pmid=18355990 |issn=0376-8716|url-access=subscription }} By contrast, the least frequent and most negative effects include near-death experiences, and physical health problems, like the so-called "K-cramps" from [gastric pain](/source/gastric_pain), bladder failure, and unappealing mental side-effects, like "[memory loss](/source/Memory_Loss)". "Decreased [sociability](/source/sociability)" is also reported post-K-hole. Recreational users seem to be in discord about the K-hole. Many individuals describe it as a fascinating life-changing experience and a spiritual journey resulting in some form of spiritual realization. They state that this experience provided [clairvoyance](/source/clairvoyance) and assisted them to get through [mental disorder](/source/mental_disorder)s like [depression](/source/Depression_(mood)) and [social anxiety](/source/social_anxiety).{{Cite web |title=We Asked People About the K-Holes That Changed Their Lives |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/we-asked-people-about-the-k-holes-that-changed-their-lives/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Vice.com |date=6 November 2017 |language=en}} About half of the recreational users describe the K-hole as a positive experience, as it provides "a short escape from their daily problems". Even though some people seem to enjoy and actively look for the K-hole, for many it is still an unwanted side effect of an [overdose](/source/Drug_overdose) of ketamine. == Risks == Frequent K-hole experiences can result in [episodic](/source/Episodic_memory) and [semantic memory](/source/semantic_memory) impairments.{{Cite journal |last1=Curran |first1=H V |last2=Monaghan |first2=L |date=2001-05-01 |title=In and out of the K-hole: a comparison of the acute and residual effects of ketamine in frequent and infrequent ketamine users |journal=Addiction |volume=96 |issue=5 |pages=749–760 |doi=10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.96574910.x |issn=1360-0443 |pmid=11331033|doi-access=free }} Depending on how long this state lasts, [hallucination](/source/hallucination)s and symptoms of [psychosis](/source/psychosis) can develop.{{Cite journal |last1=Zuccoli |first1=M. L. |last2=Muscella |first2=A. |last3=Fucile |first3=C. |last4=Carrozzino |first4=R. |last5=Mattioli |first5=F. |last6=Martelli |first6=A. |last7=Orengo |first7=S. |date=August 2014 |title=Paliperidone for the Treatment of Ketamine-Induced Psychosis: A Case Report |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2190/PM.48.2.c |journal=The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine |language=en |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=103–108 |doi=10.2190/PM.48.2.c |pmid=25377151 |s2cid=37137378 |issn=0091-2174|url-access=subscription }} The K-hole experience can produce physical risks. For instance, [bladder](/source/Urinary_bladder) damage can be an indication of ketamine-induced (ulcerative) [interstitial cystitis](/source/interstitial_cystitis).{{Cite web |date=2013-12-10 |others=Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and The Rt Hon Norman Baker |title=Ketamine: a review of use and harm |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7ce1bbed915d7c849adce3/ACMD_ketamine_report_dec13.pdf |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Government UK}}{{Cite journal |last1=Morgan |first1=Celia J. A. |last2=Curran |first2=H. Valerie |last3=Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs |date=January 2012 |title=Ketamine use: a review |journal=Addiction |volume=107 |issue=1 |pages=27–38 |doi=10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03576.x |issn=1360-0443 |pmid=21777321}} ==References== {{reflist}} Category:Slang Category:Drug culture Category:Psychological concepts --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [K-hole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-hole) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-hole?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.