[JonnieCache]

The problem is, it is "safe" in the sense that it is a medical drug with a known set of effects. You cannot cause breathing to cease with ketamine. People aren't allergic to it. It is used on battlefields and in road traffic accidents for these reasons. It doesn't really cause vomiting, at least not in the lethal combination with total unconsciousness that leads alcohol and heroin to take so many lives. So it is "safe," especially in the context of occasional use.

When you get a community of people with constant, cheap access to large amounts, it's a different story. Ironically, if the acute effects were slightly more severe, the long-term effects might not be such a problem, as chronic abuse would be less prevalent.

[adobriyan]

Before HN I only heard of ketamine once: Greg House telling nurses to tell Cuddy "I want ketamine". Drug is drug, OK.

Turns out it is well known "recreational" drug. Who knows, in a year, I might try it myself.

That's how it usually works.