ketamine

[ kee-tuh-meen, -min ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic nonbarbiturate general anesthetic, C 13 H 16 ClNO, used to induce anesthesia, alone or in combination, in surgical or diagnostic procedures of short duration; extensively used in veterinary medicine.

ketamine

/ ˈkɛtəmiːn /

noun

1. a drug, chemically related to PCP, that is used in medicine as a general anaesthetic, being administered by injection; cyclohexylamine

ketamine

/ kē′tə-mēn′ /

1. A general anesthetic given intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride salt, used especially for minor surgical procedures in which skeletal muscle relaxation is not required.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ketamine¹

First recorded in 1965–70; ket- + -amine

Example Sentences

Within days of the Oregon vote to legalize psilocybin use in therapeutic settings, Oregon-based Silo Wellness — which cultivates psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica — announced an Oregon wellness retreat using the drug ketamine.

From Washington Post

So, ketamine has been known to the medical community for decades.

From Freakonomics

When you take the ketamine and it’s in your brain, it has a very short half-life.

From Freakonomics

So, for those of you keeping score at home, that was James and he’s your ketamine guy.

From Freakonomics

Let’s say I get this injection of ketamine and I’m — my depression is gone.

From Freakonomics

Strong pain medications such as morphine and ketamine did not help.

From The Daily Beast

He mentions drug use again (doing lines—probably of ketamine, a drug Bary references frequently).

From The Daily Beast

Alig became hooked on heroin, ketamine, cocaine, and Rohypnol—a stupefying blend of substances for the once sober partier.

From The Daily Beast

Everyone in Hollywood should go take his and her mistresses and concubines out for some celebratory Champagne and ketamine.

From The Daily Beast