Ketamine’s deadly new cousin ‘CanKet’ discovered in Canberra as scientists issue urgent warning about mystery horse tranquilizer
Researchers at a pill testing site in Canberra discovered the ketamine-like drug
The drug, branded ‘Canket’, is similar to ketamine, but its effects are unknown
Research warns users of potential ‘significant psychological effects’
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Australian scientists have issued an urgent warning after discovering a mysterious and potentially dangerous new substance dubbed ‘ketamine’s cousin’.
The substance was discovered by Australian National University scientists at the country’s first pill testing site, CanTEST.
Scientists named the unknown substance ‘CanKet’ as it was found in Canberra and shared similar properties to ketamine – a tranquilizer for horses often used by humans as an illegal party drug.
Australian National University researchers have discovered a mysterious new recreational drug not seen in Australia before, which they have named ‘CanKet’ (pictured)
Australian National University Professor Malcolm McLeod said someone presented a bag of crystals and powder to be tested after they experienced ‘very different’ effects when using the substance.
“They told us they thought it was ketamine, but that the effects of the drug were very different than they expected, so they wanted us to test it,” McLeod said.
“But when we tested the substance, it was clear that it was not ketamine, but rather a ketamine-like substance.
“Our first reaction was ‘Wow, this is really strange’. We have no idea who made the substance and where it came from, but we now know it’s out there.’
Ketamine, a drug taken orally, injected or snorted, can cause a user to enter a state called a ‘K-hole’ – described by ANU researchers as a state of dissociation similar to an out-of- body experience.
Professor McLeod explained that small changes in the toxicology of a drug result in large effects and warned users of the drug about its unknown outcomes.
“It’s so new that we just don’t have information we can give people about this drug,” McLeod said.
‘Nothing is known about the clinical effects on the consumer, and since we are something new, we urge caution. You can make quite small changes to a drug and see quite dramatic changes in its effects.’
“This can have significant psychological effects.”
The new drug was discovered by scientists at Australia’s first drug testing site in Canberra when a user brought in a sample after experiencing ‘very different’ effects from use (pictured)
Researchers warned anyone buying the ketamine-like product about its unknown results and potential “significant psychological effects” after use
The drug testing site recorded five presentations of the ‘CanKet’ drug since August and has only been identified on two occasions before – once at the Canadian border and once in a Chinese laboratory.
Australian National University Associate Professor David Caldicott discovered “ketamine’s cousin” proved CanTEST’s services were “invaluable” to the community.
‘It allows us to identify never-before-seen drugs, as well as common drugs, and give people using the service clear guidance about the likely health and other effects of those drugs.
‘This could potentially save lives.’
Over the past two months, CanTEST has tested more than 150 samples, of which 34 were discarded when the owner understood the content of their drug.
The September results revealed that one sample of cocaine was found to contain dimethylsulfone, a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug, while another sample believed to be methamphetamine was actually sugar.
CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service is a free and confidential health and harm reduction service.
The service is a collaboration between Directions Health Services, the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimization and Advocacy, Pill Testing Australia and is funded by ACT Health with advice from Australian National University scientists.
This month, CanTEST issued two community notices after they found ingredients in samples believed to be ketamine and MDMA.