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8703385 
Journal Article 
Ketamine — Dissociative Agent or Hallucinogen? 
Reier, CE 
1971 
1 
New England Journal of Medicine
ISSN: 0028-4793
EISSN: 1533-4406 
284 
14 
791-792 
English 
To the Editor: Recently, ketamine (Ketaject, Ketalar) has been introduced as a general anesthetic agent. Although this drug has been classified as a “dissociative agent” both its chemical and its pharmacologic properties are similar to those of known hallucinogens. Like lysergic acid diethyldiamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (Sernylan), the drug has a marked sympathomimetic effect, with “dreams” on emergence from anesthetic levels. Appreciation of these characteristics has resulted in the illicit comsumption of the drug for the psychedelic effects. Some of those using the drug for this purpose report that in doses of approximately 0.5 mg per pound, intramuscularly (as compared …. 1971, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.