Ketamine therapy is an evidence-based treatment and approved anesthetic agent. It has proven effective for a number of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, suicidality, and chronic pain, particularly when standard medications haven’t worked.
Ketamine blocks the activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate while promoting the release of dopamine and serotonin. This temporary surge in glutamate encourages the growth of new synapses, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region critical for regulating emotion and controlling memory. As a result, ketamine can help stabilize mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Ketamine is usually provided in 6 to 8 weekly sessions when taken by IV infusion or intramuscular injection. You may feel improvements within minutes or hours. Treatment follows a structured process tailored for each patient to ensure safety and maximize benefit.
While ketamine can provide rapid relief, its effects may be relatively short-lived, typically lasting up to 7 days after a single treatment. This may require repeated treatments for sustained benefits, usually requiring around eight sessions.
Read on to learn more about what it’s like to have ketamine treatment.
Before the Session
Preparation
- A qualified medical professional will evaluate whether ketamine is suitable for you and determine the appropriate dosage.
- Counseling sessions with a therapist may be provided to set intentions, reflect on goals for treatment, and address any concerns.
- Write down a specific behavior or situation related to your mental health issues, including associated thoughts and memories [1].
Physical and Mental Readiness
- Avoid heavy meals beforehand; some clinics may recommend nothing to eat for several hours before the ketamine session.
- Reflect on what you are grateful for.
- Envision your career motivations and objectives.
- Explore your feelings on topics you may normally avoid. Ketamine-induced dissociation can cushion emotional discomfort, making this a useful time for deeper exploration.
- Choose a grounding word, such as “relax” that you can return to during the session.
- Create a calm mindset through relaxation techniques..
- You may bring some soft music and headphones to play in your session if permitted by the treatment facility.
During the Session
- Administration: A nurse or other qualified clinician will administer via one of the following methods: intramuscular injection, lozenges, IV infusion, or FDA-approved nasal spray called Spravato.
- Supervision: Your vital signs will be monitored by a medical professional throughout the session.
- Experience: Depending on the route of administration, the onset of the effect of the ketamine will vary. Ketamine induces a dissociative state that can vary in intensity. Some individuals feel calm and introspective, while others experience vivid imagery, altered perceptions, or a dreamlike meditative state.
- Strong feelings: You may have random or blank thoughts, or you may have very strong emotions. This is part of the healing process, so allow the emotions to flow naturally.
- Insights: During the session, you may have some powerful insights that bring clarity or resolution. You may not recall everything in detail.
- Interaction with therapist: If guided by a psychotherapist, you can choose to talk about any memories or emotions that arise. Silence is also acceptable.
- Environment: The setting is designed to be calm and supportive. You may wish to wear a mask and play music through headphones.
- Go with the flow: Don’t resist the process. Allow it to take a natural course.
Following the Session
- Recovery: The effects usually subside within 45-60 minutes. You may feel lightheaded or groggy. A clinician will make sure you are stable before you leave.
- Mild amnesia: As the ketamine wears off, you may experience the same feeling as when waking up after a dream. It’s helpful to use a journal to capture these feelings and images for later processing.
- Integration therapy: After the session, you may discuss with a therapist any insights you have to process emotions and apply new perspectives gained from the experience.
- Follow-up: Additional sessions may be scheduled over the next weeks or months, depending on your treatment plan. If symptoms reappear, booster sessions may be arranged.
Guidelines for Patients
- Avoid watching shows, listening to podcasts, or engaging with agitated music during the session.
- Focus on gratitude, visualize positive outcomes, and explore feelings during the session to enhance its therapeutic effect
- Each session is unique. Maintain an open attitude as some will be more introspective while others may involve active conversation with your therapist.
- Arrange for someone to take you home, as you should not drive for 24 hours after treatment.
- Avoid consuming alcohol for 24 hours afterward.
The Harper Clinic Approach to Ketamine Therapy
If you’ve already tried conventional methods of mental health treatment with no relief, ketamine may be a good option for you. At Harper Clinic we offer intramuscular injections or ketamine lozenges. Ketamine therapy must be approved by a licensed medical professional before treatment can be administered.
Harper Clinic offers an easy 3-step consultation process to patients looking for treatment.
- Get in touch with Harper Clinic either by text, phone call, a form on their website, or through their direct Vagaro booking.
- Schedule your first consultation with a provider so they can help you design a treatment plan tailored to your specific health needs.
- During your initial assessment, your provider will verify insurance, review your medical history, discuss your treatment goals, and evaluate previous treatments you have tried.”
Depending on your case, your provider may recommend alternative treatments first, such as medication or conventional therapies like CBT, DBT, or EMDR. If you meet the criteria for ketamine therapy, they will approve you for treatment and schedule your sessions.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Harper Clinic today to see if Ketamine therapy is right for you!
