A person meditates before a sunrise with chemical structures in the sky, representing psychedelic therapy and ketamine treatment for the Beckley Retreats blog.

Is Ketamine a Psychedelic? The Distinctions That Matter

December 18, 2025

Ketamine therapy is emerging as a novel treatment for conditions like anxiety or depression. But, wait a minute – isn’t ketamine a psychedelic drug? Despite its emergent clinical utility, you’ve probably heard of ketamine being used in more recreational ways.

Ketamine is a psychedelic, but it doesn’t fit neatly into that box. Its unique properties and application separate it from “classical” psychedelic compounds like MDMA or LSD. It’s precisely those qualities that have pushed ketamine forward as a novel mental disorder treatment.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine has been under the microscope of clinicians and researchers for over 60 years. Initially regarded as a dissociative anesthetic, ketamine was widely utilized by combatants during the Vietnam War. They called it the “buddy drug” – soldiers would inject each other as a form of battlefield triage. 

Burgeoning clinical research into ketamine’s hallucinogenic properties began in the ‘80s and ‘90s. It wasn’t long before the medical community began recognizing ketamine’s potential as a deft therapeutic agent instead of a blunt instrument for numbing pain. 

Illustration of a group of four people sitting outdoors, engaged in discussion and community bonding, reflecting group integration in psychedelic therapy for the Beckley Retreats blog.

Recreationally, ketamine is taken for its dissociative psychedelic properties. The “K-hole” experience is characterized by entering a dreamlike state, wherein the user feels as though they’re almost floating, observing themselves from a different perspective, and opening up new insights. 

Ketamine Classification

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency calls ketamine a “dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects.” Legally, ketamine falls under Schedule III classification; drugs that have a low to moderate potential for physical harm or abuse, plus some medical utility.

Despite its casual reputation, ketamine is prevalent all over the world as an anesthetic and analgesic (pain reliever), particularly in places that lack the resources and infrastructure for more contemporary alternatives.

Ketamine therapy provided through medical clinics is legal in all 50 states, as well as many countries abroad. Administration of ketamine is regulated by both the DEA and Food & Drug Administration.

The Science: How Ketamine Works

Where ketamine and “classical” psychedelics diverge is in their mechanics. Remember: Ketamine is an anesthetic with the potential to cause altered states of consciousness, while your standard fare psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD are mainly used for their reality-warping purposes. 

Mechanism of Action

Most traditional psychedelics affect serotonin levels – the brain’s “happy chemical”. Mechanistically, ketamine does the same, but it also affects your brain’s glutamate system by binding to different receptors. 

Illustration of flowers blooming within a brain silhouette, symbolizing neuroplasticity and mental healing in psychedelic therapy for the Beckley Retreats blog.

Blocking these receptors bolsters neuroplasticity. You can think of it as applying fertilizer to topsoil. Scientists are still working out the granular detail, but it is currently believed that ketamine’s anti-depressant properties come from

  • Boosting the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which encourages new neuron pathways to form in the brain
  • Quieting the DMN, or Default Mode Network, a neural system responsible for worry and apprehension. 

Purported Benefits

Though it started as purely an anesthetic, ketamine is making headway as a novel treatment for anxiety and depression. Its effects are transient, lasting up to an hour or two, and generally require multiple interventions/treatments over a period of weeks or months. 

Ketamine therapies may also have potential applications in treating conditions like asthma or seizure disorders. However, its utility in these areas lacks the robust scientific support that has legitimized ketamine use for mental health. 

Side Effects & Contraindications

Even though ketamine is classified as a low to moderate-risk psychoactive drug, you should still be aware of potential issues. Contraindications – pre-existing conditions that may cause negative interactions with a drug – for ketamine therapy include: 

  • Severe cardiovascular disease
  • Active psychosis
  • Liver disease

Among others. Ketamine usage as an anesthetic is also off-limits to pregnant women and infants. At anesthetic doses, ketamine tends to produce adverse psychological side effects in up to 20% of adults. 

Dosage & Experience: Ketamine vs. “Classic” Psychedelics

As the saying goes, the dose makes the poison. High doses of ketamine, roughly 2mg/kg of the patient’s weight, induce anesthesia. As a dissociative therapeutic treatment, ketamine application starts at around 0.5mg/kg. Methods of taking ketamine include intravenous infusion, intramuscular injection, or nasal spray (which is actually a ketamine derivative called esketamine).

Illustration of a guided psychedelic therapy session showing a patient with eye shades and headphones alongside a therapist, emphasizing professional support for the Beckley Retreats blog.

Compared to classical psychedelics, ketamine’s effects are brief and, at times, paralytic. Patients undergoing ketamine therapy may have trouble moving as they enjoy its dissociative effects. 

Other mind-altering substances, like psilocybin, tend to produce stronger emotional and even spiritual effects. These psychedelic trips often require “shepherds” of sorts, called facilitators – experts who help the user navigate the mysticism and glean deep insights. By contrast, ketamine therapies are often administered in solitude or, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at home via telehealth. 

The Big Picture

Is ketamine a psychedelic? It sort of depends on who you ask, but generally, no (with an asterisk). Here’s a better question: Is it right for you? That answer, of course, is, “It depends.” Consulting with experts in the field who regularly utilize ketamine’s therapeutic potential can help you decide. 

Beckley Retreats organizes weekend ketamine retreats designed to harness the clinical potential of ketamine in a holistic setting. Whether you’re looking for a restorative experience or simply need to clear your head and reflect, Beckley offers communal therapeutic experiences guided by world-class scholars, psychiatrists, and natural medicine experts. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ketamine addictive?

All drugs have a potential for addiction, including ketamine. While not regarded as extremely addictive, ketamine does carry a risk of dependence, especially if administered unsupervised or at improper doses.

Will I hallucinate on ketamine?

Despite its reputation, ketamine is not a hallucinogen. Patient experiences vary, but clinical research has not identified hallucinations as a notable side effect.

How is ketamine administered?

Ketamine is traditionally administered as an injection, but certain therapies can also be delivered via lozenges or even as a nasal spray. 

Sources

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