# Ketamine's Role in Cornell Rape Allegations

> Ketamine use in alleged Cornell rape highlights campus drug risks.
- Title: Ketamine's Role in Cornell Rape Allegations · The Conversation
- Summary: Ketamine use in alleged Cornell rape highlights campus drug risks. Ketamine and other psychoactive drugs are increasingly used in sexual assaults on college…
- Keywords: ketamine, cornell, sexual assault, college campuses, psychoactive drugs, rape, alleged rape, science, ideas, Ketamine's, Role, Allegations
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/ketamines-role-in-alleged-cornell-rape-highlights-flood-of-psychoactive-drugs-on-campus-293512
- Author: Christopher P. Holstege
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ketamine, cornell, sexual assault, college campuses, psychoactive drugs, rape, alleged rape, science, ideas
## Ketamine in Sexual Assault
Ketamine and 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.
## Cornell Rape Allegation
Former Cornell student Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 alleging seven fraternity members raped her at a party.
## Ketamine's Medical History
Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 and approved as a general anesthetic by the FDA in 1970.
## Ketamine's Street Names
Ketamine is sold on the street under slang names like K, Ket, and Vitamin K.
## Ketamine Use in Sexual Assault
Research suggests most often both parties use mind-altering substances voluntarily, though perpetrators may spike victims' drinks.
## Ketamine's Effects
Ketamine causes dissociation, confusion, drowsiness, and memory loss, impairing judgment and consent.
## Ketamine's Rising Use
Ketamine use in sexual assaults has increased since the early 2010s due to easier access and street versions.
## Key takeaway

Ketamine and other psychoactive drugs are increasingly used in sexual assaults on college campuses, complicating consent and victim reporting.