Ketamine
Timeline
| 1962 | American pharmacist Calvin Stevens first synthesizes ketamine in the Parke Davis Lab and names it 'CI581'. Its discovery comes out of the search for PCP replacements. 1 | |
| 1963 | Ketamine patented in Belgium. 2 [More Info] | |
| 1965 | Ketamine is discovered to be a useful anaesthetic. 1 | |
| 1965 | First accounts of the recreational use of Ketamine. Professor Edward Domino described it as a potent psychedelic drug and coins the term 'dissociative anesthetic'. 1 | |
| 1966 | Ketamine is patented by Parke-Davis for use as an anesthetic in humans and animals. 1 | |
| Late 1960s | Ketamine is used as a field anesthetic by the U.S. during the Vietnam War. 1 | |
| 1969 | Ketamine Hydrochloride becomes available by prescription under the name 'Ketalar'. 3 | |
| Mid 1970s | Both recreational and therapeutic use of Ketamine has spread throughout the world. Interest has increased in Britain, Sweden, Russia, and Australia and it is being used in Argentina in regression therapy. 1 | |
| 1978 | Ketamine is further popularized by the publication of two books describing personal accounts of its use: 'Journeys Into the Bright World' by Marcia Moore and Howard Alltounian, and 'The Scientist' by John Lilly. 1 | |
| Mar 18, 1981 | The DEA filed official notice of its intent to place Ketamine in Schedule III, but chose not to proceed after "determining that the incidence of actual abuse was not sufficient to sustain the scheduling action." 4 | |
| 1995 | Ketamine is added to the DEA's 'emerging drugs list'. 1 | |
| Apr 9, 1999 | The DEA again formally declared its intent to place Ketamine in Schedule III by emergency ruling. There is a 30 day waiting period before they can complete the process. 4 | |
| Aug 12, 1999 | Ketamine becomes federally illegal (schedule III) in the U.S. 5 | |
| 1987-2000 | 12 Deaths related to Ketamine (7 in the U.S., and 5 in Europe). Only 3 of these deaths were Ketamine alone. 2 [More Info] |
References
- Kelly K. The Little Book of Ketamine. Ronin, 1999.
- Grinspoon L, Bakalar JB. Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered. Lindesmith, 1997.