We’re always excited to share the incredible results many of our patients experience with ketamine therapy for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. For many, these infusions bring profound relief where other treatments haven’t worked. But here’s the key: it’s not just about the infusion—it’s about what you do before and after to make the most of each treatment. Integrating your ketamine journey with lifestyle practices can enhance and extend the healing. Here are some strategies to help you get the most out of your ketamine therapy.
Journaling: Capturing Your Insights 
Journaling is a powerful way to document your emotions, experiences, and insights during and after ketamine infusions. This process turns each session into a more conscious healing journey, and research supports its benefits! People who journal regularly report a 27% decrease in depressive symptoms over time. Write down how you feel before, during, and after each session—it creates a tangible record of your growth. You’ll likely start to notice patterns, track improvements, and even identify areas where you might need additional support.
Therapy: Deepening Your Emotional Healing
Combining ketamine therapy with regular counseling can help you unpack any emotional breakthroughs that arise. Whether it’s cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed therapy, or solution-focused counseling, having a therapist’s support helps you fully understand and apply the insights you gain during ketamine sessions. Many people find that therapy bridges the immediate relief of ketamine with lasting emotional change, helping make the benefits more meaningful in daily life.
Nutrition: Fueling Your Brain for Better Outcomes
What you eat can significantly impact your brain health and even support the neuroplasticity stimulated by ketamine. Junk in = junk out… But, a balanced, nutrient-rich diet helps you feel more balanced and energetic, enhancing the effectiveness of your treatment. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and whole foods like fruits and vegetables are especially supportive of brain health, mood regulation, and emotional resilience. Check out a mitochondria food plan for the institute of functional medicine.
Avoiding Alcohol: Protecting Your Progress
Avoiding alcohol can be a game changer while you’re undergoing ketamine therapy. Why? Because alcohol can interfere with the neuroplasticity that ketamine infusions work hard to foster. Remember, alcohol is a depressant. So, when you consume it, you’re limiting the potential for new pathways in your brain that ketamine helps create. By steering clear of alcohol, you support lasting changes in mood, clear thinking, better sleep, and overall well-being, giving your brain the best chance to heal and thrive.
Physical Activity: Boosting Brain and Body Health
Exercise is a fantastic way to build on the mental and physical benefits of ketamine therapy. Physical activity—whether it’s a daily walk, yoga, or strength training—stimulates the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports brain health and neuroplasticity. Even light activity can have a big impact, with studies showing that those who exercise regularly experience reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Integrating movement into your routine creates a supportive environment for ketamine’s effects to last.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Staying Grounded
Mindfulness practices, like meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help you stay centered and present. Practicing mindfulness can increase self-awareness, making it easier to navigate emotions and stay grounded between sessions. Meditation has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, creating a calm, receptive state of mind that makes the positive effects of ketamine therapy more powerful and meaningful. If you struggle with meditation, you can try this meditation on youtube, he also has some for sleep — maybe don’t try these when you’re driving or working for the first time. You might end up asleep little too relaxed.
Happy tripping!