Ketamine therapy can be an instrumental tool in establishing mental and emotional wellness. Treatment unquestionably provides symptom relief, and patients benefit from neurological and physiological changes regardless of the therapeutic experience. Still, the effects that sometimes accompany these improvements are less often discussed.
For many people, medication and talk therapy alone cannot provide the perspective necessary to truly free themselves from what ails their lives. Because, in many cases, we are simply too preoccupied with our bodies, environment, obligations, and anxieties.
Ketamine offers the possibility to disconnect from these distractions.
So, what does that look like?
Through a relaxed and dreamlike sensation approaching weightlessness, patients can inhabit a third-person perspective on their mental health. Within the ketamine therapy experience, they see their past and future in a different light, providing context and contentment that rises above their underlying symptoms.
This effect is a powerful tool for mental health improvements that equates to long-term success for most patients.
Still, not setting rigid expectations for your ketamine therapy journey is important. Treatment varies person by person, and you may or may not have the same reaction each session. Ultimately, long-term healing comes from integrating the insights gained during therapy into your everyday life.
Join us as we explore the mechanisms and therapeutic experiences behind the psychological healing properties of ketamine.
What Can I Expect During My Ketamine Therapy Experience?
The ketamine therapy experience is highly personal and unique. No two people have the same response, and no provider can truly tell you what to expect.
Still, most patients generally report similar sensations, particularly a separation from their sense of self. This ego-diminishing response can be a significant event for patients, with many noting a remarkable power to access and evaluate traumas, fears, or emotions.
Once you take a step back, you can clearly identify and begin to work through the issues that are hindering your mental health. That’s precisely where ketamine excels.
Many patients gain a renewed sense of hope and even outright happiness by breaking free from these underlying challenges.
But that still sounds a bit vague… What does the ketamine therapy experience actually feel like?
The precise details are complicated, but here are some of the effects patients commonly associate with ketamine infusion therapy:
- Experiencing things from a third-person perspective: This important physical and emotional effect refers to feeling detached from your body as if viewing yourself from an outside perspective. Patients most commonly associate this experience with ketamine therapy. Imagine a dream: You’re not entirely in control of the narrative and may not even experience the event as yourself. This concept might sound scary, but because ketamine suppresses the amygdala, you are temporarily free of the fear induced by your fight-or-flight response. You can still feel everything but accept the sensations instead of fighting them.
- Weightlessness: Many patients report a sense of lightness during a ketamine therapy session, often coinciding with a decreased personal association with the experience. In such cases, you may lose the sensation of physical weight that comes from anxiety. Instead, you may feel a deeply relaxing sensation, similar to those fleeting moments just before falling asleep.
- Altered perception of time: Time may seem slower or faster when receiving ketamine therapy treatments. Have you ever woken up after a lengthy dream, only to find you’ve nodded off for just a few minutes? That detachment from the normal flow of time is a common effect.
- Euphoria: Your ketamine therapy experience can often uncover happy memories, events, or emotions, resulting in a general euphoria. Patients often feel incredibly happy during and after a session, with profound joy providing a lasting sense of hope long after they’ve left the office.
- Hallucinations: Not all patients experience hallucinations, but those who do have very different sensations. Most report faint colors and patterns, combined with a sense of motion. Some describe visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations when recalling events. However, should hallucinations occur, they stem from your own internal identity and memories. You may perceive things pulled from vivid memories or past experiences. Some say these visions are euphoric, while others directly relate to processing traumas. Generally, the experience is not scary but novel, especially for first-time patients.
- A sense of release: For many patients, finding “hope” is the prevailing goal in ketamine therapy sessions. Recounting trauma as a survivor can help you establish the event as having passed, allowing for release and healing. Remember that weightlessness we described? That physical sensation can ultimately culminate in a deep emotional release. You quite literally feel pressure roll off your shoulders as a sense of renewed joy fills your world.
- Anxiety: Patients frequently revisit emotionally charged memories during ketamine treatment, making anxiety a possible side effect. Trying something new also comes with a potential wave of discomfort. However, because ketamine suppresses your fight-or-flight response, anxieties don’t snowball into real feelings of fear. Still, providers are always available to ease any concerns. Many patients also use anti-anxiety medication, which can be discussed ahead of treatment.
- Nausea: Some patients report stomach upset when receiving ketamine treatment. Inform your provider about any past or current history of nausea. Many times, medications are available to help reduce discomfort.
Are These Effects Necessary for Healing?
Don’t be dismayed if your first treatment is not as expected.
Regardless of your experience during therapy, ketamine works on the brain, reigniting dormant neural pathways and raising glutamate and glutamine levels. Rebalancing these neurotransmitters helps regulate the stress response, mood, and cognition, independent of any therapeutic value gained from treatment.
How Long Do the Effects of Ketamine Therapy Treatments Last?
The effects of ketamine therapy do not have a measurable time frame.
For many patients, the floating, out-of-body, or hallucinogenic sensations generally peak around 40 minutes before resolving within 90 minutes. However, some patients may not experience any of these sensations throughout the entire session.
The effects can also vary in intensity greatly depending on the person.
Your provider can discuss this matter with you in greater detail before and after your sessions.
How Should I Prepare for My Therapy Session?
The effects of ketamine are powerful for enhancing well-being. Nevertheless, they can lead to emotionally confronting your past and present. Readying your body and mind can facilitate a meaningful experience and speedy recovery.
Here are our tips for a having positive ketamine session:
Before the appointment
- Clear your mind: Remove the clutter from your brain to allow space for introspection during your ketamine appointment.
- Stay hydrated: For some people, ketamine can cause mild dehydration. Drink lots of water and electrolytes beforehand to prep your body for each session.
- Dress for comfort: Your clothing is the last thing you want to be concerned about during a session. Wear whatever helps you feel the most comfortable and relaxed.
- Secure transportation: Arrange a reliable ride to and from the clinic. Because ketamine has sedative properties, operating a vehicle is a safety risk.
- Take the day off: Consider taking a “me day” to recover from the effects of ketamine. If possible, request a vacation day at work and seek help with household responsibilities.
During the appointment
- Practice slow breathing: The introspective nature of ketamine therapy can stir up uncomfortable memories and current beliefs. Breathwork and mindfulness can help combat any discomfort you may feel during your session.
- Be open to what you discover: Everyone has a unique response to ketamine. You may even have an entirely different breakthrough each session. Allow yourself to welcome and learn from the experience freely.
- Count on your provider: Your therapy provider is present for a reason—to ensure you feel safe and relaxed throughout the whole process. Inform them of any concerns or ask for their assistance if needed.
- Set time aside for reflection: Ketamine therapy is so effective because of the opportunities to revisit events ailing your mind. After a session, sit in a quiet space to reflect on everything you encountered.
- Talk about treatment: Sharing your feelings with a loved one or therapist can help you interpret insights gained during a session. They can offer a new perspective you may have otherwise overlooked.
- Explore positive changes: Integrate “Aha!” moments into your wellness journey. Evaluate the effects of ketamine on your life, and take steps to ensure the experience leaves a lasting positive impact
- Take time to rest and recharge: Delving into your psyche can be emotionally and mentally tiresome. Let your body and mind recover. Use the first day or two after therapy to engage in hobbies, find peace in nature, or confide in trusted friends.
Get Started Toward Healing at New Pathways
Our trained and compassionate team at New Pathways understands therapy can be a life-changing experience.
Seeing you thrive is our passion, and we provide the space to make influential discoveries and reclaim hope through ketamine. Your mental health struggles do not define you—relief is possible with the right care and self-empowerment.