Ketamine’s role in alleged Cornell rape highlights flood of psychoactive drugs on campus
Ketamine and many other psychoactive substances can't be detected by most standard drug screens, so it's unclear how often they play a role in sexual assault. D-Keine/iStock via Getty Images Plus Former Cornell student Jane Doe, who filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 alleging that seven fraternity members raped her at a party, said the young men who assaulted her pressured her into taking the drug ketamine.
A former Cornell student, Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 alleging that seven fraternity members raped her at a party after pressuring her to take the drug ketamine. Ketamine is a synthetic chemical first synthesized in 1962 and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a general anesthetic in 1970. It has been used recreationally since the 1970s, often sold under street names like 'K,' 'Ket,' or 'Vitamin K.' The drug can cause dissociation, an altered state of consciousness where a person feels detached from their surroundings, and at high doses, it may induce a coma. Ketamine is odorless and colorless, making it easy to slip into a drink unnoticed. Its effects begin within 20 minutes if taken orally or almost immediately if inhaled or injected, lasting less than an hour but impairing judgment and coordination for several hours.
Ketamine and its newer versions, known as designer drugs or analogs, are part of a growing wave of psychoactive substances entering the U.S. and other countries. These drugs are often created in illegal laboratories to mimic the effects of existing substances while evading legal restrictions. In 2019, the FDA approved a nasal spray version of ketamine called esketamine for treating depression that does not respond to other treatments. However, ketamine is increasingly prescribed off-label for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cases of ketamine poisoning in the U.S. doubled between 2019 and 2023, reaching the highest levels ever recorded. This surge is partly due to increased medical use, which makes the drug more accessible, as well as the prevalence of street versions created by chemists.
Ketamine’s effects vary depending on the dose and the person. Common side effects include delirium, amnesia (memory loss), increased salivation, abnormal eye movements, high blood pressure, and potentially fatal breathing problems. Alcohol and other drugs can worsen these effects. Ketamine is sold illegally as a colorless liquid or a white or off-white powder, which can be snorted, smoked, or vaped. The drug is often placed covertly into a person’s food or drink. Its effects typically last less than an hour, but a person’s senses, judgment, and coordination may remain impaired for several hours. Ketamine’s sedative and memory-erasing properties can complicate consent and recollection of events, making it a concern in cases of sexual assault.
Research on the use of drugs like ketamine in sexual assault is limited, but studies suggest that most cases involve voluntary use of mind-altering substances by both parties, which can impair the ability to grant consent. However, there are reports of perpetrators covertly spiking a victim’s drink or slipping drugs into their system without their knowledge. According to one study, 4.2% of rape victims were drugged covertly, though this is likely underreported due to challenges in detection. Most substances used in such assaults are rapidly absorbed and metabolized by the body, making them difficult to detect in standard urine or blood tests. Ketamine’s increasing medical use has contributed to its popularity as a party drug, further raising concerns about its role in sexual assaults on college campuses.
Detecting drugs used in sexual assault is difficult because many substances are quickly processed by the body, leaving little trace in routine drug screenings. Additionally, victims often delay reporting assaults, sometimes for days, which reduces the likelihood of detecting the drug. Most hospitals are unable to detect ketamine and other designer drugs on standard urine drug screens, further complicating investigations. The lack of reliable detection methods means that many cases go unreported or unproven. Victims may also hesitate to come forward due to embarrassment, guilt, or distrust in institutions like law enforcement or their university. Without better detection tools and education, the risks posed by these drugs on college campuses will persist.
The availability of ketamine and other psychoactive drugs on college campuses has risen sharply since the early 2010s, alongside a surge in new designer drugs. International drug control efforts have struggled to keep up with the rapid evolution of these substances. The increasing use of ketamine in clinics and recreational settings has made it more accessible, contributing to its growing presence on campuses. Students are particularly vulnerable to the risks of these drugs, which can impair judgment, reduce inhibitions, and erase memories of events. Without more active education, prevention efforts, and improved detection methods, the dangers posed by these drugs will continue to affect students' health and safety.
