How much effect does ketamine have on:
1 dopamine and dopaminergic pathways
2 blood pressure progression during ketamine
3 fainting and fainting
The effect of ketamine on dopamine, blood pressure, fainting, and fainting is as follows:
Dopamine and dopaminergic pathways: Ketamine acutely increases dopamine release in brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, primarily through indirect disinhibition of glutamate neurons. This contributes to the antidepressant and rewarding effects. With long-term use, adaptations occur, such as changes in dopamine receptors and projections, posing a risk of tolerance, addiction, and psychosis-like symptoms.
Blood pressure changes during ketamine: Ketamine usually causes a temporary increase in blood pressure and heart rate due to sympathetic activation. The peak typically occurs within 30–40 minutes after administration, depending on the route (IV, IM, nasal, oral). Effects are generally mild to moderate, but significant peaks can occur in sensitive patients (such as the elderly or people with hypertension). In recreational settings, monitoring and control are lacking, which increases risks with combination drugs or exercise.
Fainting and fainting: Although ketamine increases blood pressure, there are rare cases of fainting, primarily due to vasovagal reactions, orthostatic hypotension following dissociation, or in combination with other substances (alcohol, cannabis, GHB, antipsychotics). In recreational settings, external factors such as heat, dehydration, and stress often play a greater role than ketamine itself.