Ketamine increases dissociative depersonalization, dissociative derealization, and a blissful state in a dose-dependent manner
fits, dissociative depersonalization
As hypothesized, we observed a significant dose-dependent effect of ketamine in dissociative depersonalization (The experience of dissociation under the 0.5 mg/kg ketamine was also captured by free response reports from participants. We recorded narratives from five participants for all three drug conditions. Suppl. Table “I feel like I’m floating. I feel like I’m in a spaceship. Super disoriented—there is no north or south. I’m in the center and there’s no bottom. Geometric shapes are felt, not seen.” (P10)“It feels very expansive, yet restrictive at the same time. Feels like I’m in a tunnel. Stretchy wobbly sensation. Space is stretching out and coming back.” (P10)“I’m feeling weird, my body is tingling, hearing a hum, especially in my right ear. I’ve never felt this way before, neutral color all around.” (P11)“Time felt stretched and that it would take time to do anything.” (P13)Four participants reported a disconnection from their own bodies or a changed perception of their body parts, which fits into the depersonalization subcomponent of dissociation. Relevant excerpts follow:“Do I feel lighter? Is my hand heavier or lighter? I can’t tell if my head is farther or closer to the ground.” (P09)“It feels like there is a foam spray insulation around me, I feel like I can see my thoughts from a distant perspective.” (P011)“I felt disconnected from body.” (P12)“I feel like a 2D character.” (P13)