What is Ketamine Bladder?

Ketamine bladder, also known as K bladder, is the ulceration of the inside lining of the bladder. Initially, people experience discomfort in their bladder area, and as the condition worsens, they begin urinating more frequently, sometimes every five or ten minutes. As the ulceration progresses, it becomes painful to urinate, and they may even start peeing blood.

• Ketamine-Induced Cystitis (KIC)
• Ketamine-Associated Ulcerative Cystitis
• Ketamine Bladder Syndrome

These terms all describe the bladder damage resulting from recreational ketamine use.

The only solution to K bladder is surgery, which in severe cases, can mean the removal of the bladder. Young users of ketamine are facing serious future health issues, including potential kidney failure that might require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Most recreational users of ketamine are young, with up to 75% between the ages of 12 and 25, storing up problems for their future health.

What causes Ketamine Bladder Syndrome?

Your bladder is a sac-like organ located behind the pelvic bone that stores urine. Normally, it’s about the size of a grapefruit but can expand much larger when it’s full.

When you use ketamine, it and its breakdown products, known as metabolites, can enter the bladder. There, the ketamine metabolites harm the epithelial cells lining the inside of the bladder. These cells, which are shaped like umbrellas, have the main job of keeping urine inside the bladder and preventing it from leaking into other parts of the bladder wall.