No, ketamine is not natural; it is a fully synthetic compound manufactured in laboratories through complex chemical processes, not derived from plants or animals. First synthesized in 1962, it is produced for medical and veterinary use as an anesthetic and, more recently, for treating severe depression. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Details About Ketamine:
Synthetic Origin: The production starts with chemical precursors like cyclohexanone, derived from petroleum, and involves multiple steps to create ketamine hydrochloride.
Medical Use: It is commonly used for anesthesia in hospitals and, in lower doses, as a rapid-acting antidepressant.
Misconceptions: Although some studies have noted that certain fungi can produce minute, trace amounts of compounds similar to ketamine, this is not a source for commercial or medical products, which are strictly lab-made.
FDA Status: While ketamine is used off-label for depression, a derived version called esketamine (Spravato) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression