TechTECH WATCH

Ketamine's Freeze Effect: Why First-Timers Get Hit Hardest

The New York Times reports potent ketamine powders can leave first-time users nearly catatonic by blocking signals between brain cells, leaving them awake but unable to move.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on The Weekend Shift
Published 1:38 AM ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026

Photo: US gov · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Tech

Watch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from The Weekend Shift at 1:38 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The New York Times's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: US gov · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Ketamine — Photo: US gov · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “Why Ketamine Immobilizes Some Users”.
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 1:38 AM ET on The Weekend Shift, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield; aired 2 times.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesWhy Ketamine Immobilizes Some Users

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe New York Times reports potent ketamine powders can leave first-time users nearly catatonic, awake but unable to move. It blocks signals between brain cells.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt is not a pause button.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA pause button. For a Sunday. I would use it on this shift.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat brings you to nine mistakes on my list.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentNine?

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