A doctor has revealed what taking six grams of ketamine every day can do to the body after former adult industry star Emily Willis was left with locked-in syndrome.
Willis, 26, (real name Litzy Lara Banuelos) has been unable to move her body except for her eyes after a cardiac arrest at a rehab centre in February 2024.
This is because it left her starved of oxygen for a long period of time, causing her to become ‘permanently disabled’.
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Her family provided an update on her health in May after the incident occurred, saying she had come out of a 'vegetative coma'.
Her family wrote on a fundraiser: "Recently, Emily's world, and ours, was turned upside down when she was admitted to the hospital, marking the beginning of an incredibly tough and unforeseen battle.”
Sadly, Willis’ condition means that she can only move her eyes and is essentially paralysed.
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It happened after she had been admitted to the Malibu rehab centre in January 2024.
According to a new lawsuit brought forward by the family, she experienced a cardiac arrest and fell into a 'vegetative coma'.
However, it alleges Willis had suffered 'permanent physical and mental incapacity', and accuses the facility of the 'abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices'.
The lawsuit states that Willis was admitted to the rehab centre ingesting 'five to six grams [of ketamine] per day for a year'.
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According to the lawsuit, Willis was found unconscious after she was admitted to rehab, and that nurses and paramedics performed CPR for 30 to 40 minutes until they restored her heartbeat.
However, she now suffers from locked-in syndrome, a rare neurological condition which stops her from being able to move or speak.
Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, her family believe that she had not received proper care during her stay.
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She had also previously been diagnosed with mental health issues, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How does taking six grams of ketamine a day affect the body?
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, spoke to UNILAD about the impact of taking a constant stream of ketamine can have on the body.
Dr Wylie said that while the anaesthetic has both medical and recreational uses, it can have 'significant and potentially irreversible effects on both physical and mental health' if taken in excess over a prolonged period of time.
The bladder
She explained that excessive ketamine use can cause 'severe' damage to the bladder.
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This is known as ketamine-induced cystitis.
"This can cause intense pain, urinary frequency, incontinence, and, in some cases, permanent damage requiring surgical intervention," the doctor said.
Stomach issues
It can also cause frequent experience of nausea, abdominal pain, and a condition sometimes referred to as ‘K cramps’.
For those who suffer with this, it can make eating and digestion painful.
Liver, kidneys, heart and lungs
Also, due to the toxicity and organ dysfunction caused by prolonged ketamine use, liver and kidney function are hindered.
Ian Budd, pharmacist and medical adviser for Chemist4U, added: "The kidneys also suffer, as ketamine strains their ability to filter toxins, increasing the risk of infections and kidney failure. Similarly, the liver, which processes the drug, can become inflamed and scarred, reducing its ability to function properly."
He said that chronic ketamine use can weaken the heart and lungs by raising blood pressure and heart rate.
Some who take ketamine in excess can experience breathing difficulties, particularly if they mix ketamine with other drugs like alcohol, Budd explained.
Cognitive issues
Dr Wylie went on to share that chronic ketamine use deteriorate a person’s cognitive abilities.
She said: "Dependence and tolerance can develop, leading to escalating use and an increased risk of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
"Some users also report experiencing persistent dissociative symptoms or hallucinatory episodes even when not using the drug."
According to Budd, it can also cause confusion, paranoia and mood swings.
"Over time, ketamine users may struggle to concentrate, process information or even feel connected to reality," he said.
But it can also impact people’s wellbeing and their relationships.
"Given the serious health risks associated with such high levels of consumption, it is crucial that individuals struggling with ketamine dependence seek professional medical support as soon as possible," Dr Wylie said.
LADbible Group has previously contacted Summit Malibu, the parent company of the facility, for comment.
Britt Jones