How Much Does Ketamine (Special K) Cost?

When purchased illicitly in 2025, a single dose of ketamine will cost around $10 on average, and the effects will only last about 30 to 60 minutes. Ketamine can be snorted in powder form or mixed in drinks as either a powder or a liquid.

It is addictive and also has a high potential for abuse, in part because the effects are so short-lasting. The price of ketamine is affected by a range of factors, including local law enforcement policies, supply and demand, and the location of sale.

Learn more about other street drug prices.

What Factors Can Affect The Price Of Ketamine?

Like most illicit drugs, cost is most heavily affected by location. Ketamine is also a drug that is affected by local laws, as both illegal and legal forms of it exist in many places.

Factors that affect the price of street ketamine include:

• Supply and Demand: The basic economic principles of supply and demand affect the street price of ketamine. When the supply is limited and the demand is high, prices will naturally increase. A surplus in supply or a drop in demand could lead to lower prices.
• Location of Sale: Like most illicit drugs, the price of ketamine varies depending on the geographical location where it’s bought or sold. Areas where the drug is more readily available, or in regions where it’s produced, may see lower prices compared to areas with tighter supply. Proximity to trafficking routes can also play a role.
• Purity of the Product: The quality of the ketamine, specifically its purity, is a major price determinant. Pure ketamine will command a higher price than ketamine that has been cut with fillers or other substances. However, a higher price doesn’t automatically guarantee purity. It’s important to remember that buying any street drug carries a risk of exposure to fentanyl or other dangerous additives
• How it was Obtained: The origins of the ketamine and the routes it takes to reach the street market can influence its cost. Drugs that are smuggled from other countries, particularly those with complex trafficking networks, may carry higher prices due to the added risks and costs involved in transportation and distribution.
• Local Drug Laws: The legal landscape around ketamine in an area has a direct impact on its cost. In locations where psychedelic substances like ketamine are decriminalized or treated with more leniency, the price may be lower due to reduced risks associated with drug dealing.

It’s important to keep in mind that illicitly sold ketamine may be cut with lethal adulterants such as fentanyl, increasing the risk of overdose.

Cost Of A Gram Of Ketamine

Ketamine comes in powder or liquid form and is usually sold by the gram.

Because an average dose is 100 mg, a gram of Ketamine on the street will come with about 10 doses. A gram of Ketamine will cost around $60-$100.

Cost Of Ketamine Infusions Vs. Cost Of Ketamine On The Street

Ketamine does have a couple of legal uses. Medically, it can be used as an anesthetic because it provides sedation, pain relief, and anesthesia. More recently, ketamine infusions have been shown as a promising new treatment for severe depression.

Ketamine infusions can be quite expensive, starting at around $400 per infusion and reaching as high as $2,000. Given the high price of medical ketamine infusions, this may be one reason people seek ketamine on the streets.

If you or a loved one is facing addiction, a residential treatment program can help you get on track to lasting sobriety. Contact your primary care provider or an addiction specialist today for more information.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff