When people start ketamine therapy to help with things like depression and anxiety, they often hope it will make them feel better and have certain expectations about what will happen. Ketamine is a special kind of medicine that can change the way you think and feel during treatment. Even if everything is set up perfectly—from being in the right mindset to having a calm and safe place for the treatment—sometimes things don’t go as planned, and the experience can be tough.

Getting Ready for Ketamine Treatment

To get ready for ketamine therapy, it’s important to prepare both your mind and your surroundings. You should come to your sessions feeling rested and open-minded, ready to face whatever the experience brings. The place where you have your treatment should be comfy and welcoming, making you feel safe and relaxed.

Bad Trip or Challenging Journey?

Sometimes, ketamine treatments can bring up strong emotions or thoughts that are hard to handle, but these challenging times can actually be really important. They can help you face and work through problems you didn’t even know you had. Here’s some advice on how to prepare and what to do if your session becomes difficult:

1. Learn About Ketamine: Knowing what might happen during ketamine therapy can help you feel less nervous. Understand that tough sessions can be part of the healing process. We find that people sometimes are afraid they “did it wrong” and that’s just simply not the case. The medicine often takes us places we might not think we are ready to go but many times it’s exactly what we needed to heal.
2. Have Support Ready: Don’t be afraid to share how you’re feeling. Talk it out. Talk to your therapist or someone else you know, like, and trust who supports you on this journey. Sharing your feelings and goals with them can help you feel more grounded. If you’re receiving treatment from our office, don’t be afraid to text or call; we’ve sat in that chair too and know how big those emotions sometimes feel and can walk you through them.
3. Aftercare is Important: If you have a tough session, talking about it afterward with a mental health professional is very important. They can help you understand and use what you learned during the session to make positive changes in your life. This is why we often encourage you to journal too. Get those thoughts out can be incredibly helpful.
4. Take Care of Yourself: Make sure you’re physically ready for your session. Don’t drink alcohol, get enough sleep, drink water, and eat something light before your session (unless you have a really nervous belly than maybe skip the meal). Wear comfy clothes and try to stay calm before you start. Bring allllll the things to make you feel most comfortable. Weighted blanket? Ok! Favorite stuffed animal? No shame, bring it! Mixed matched PJs but they are your favorite? We’ve seen it all!
5. Keep an Open Mind: Go into your session ready to accept whatever happens. Each person’s experience is different, and there’s something to learn from every session.

What to Do If You’re Having a Hard Time

If the session gets tough, focus on your breathing and remember that it will pass and it’s part of getting better. Simple things like paying attention to your breath or how your body feels can help calm you down. Remember, all of us at the office have been where you are, so tell them if you’re feeling off or scared. We can pause the infusion, let it metabolize a bit and walk you through how you are feeling. We are here for you.

Ketamine therapy can be a powerful way to heal, and each session has something to teach us. By knowing that not every session will be easy and learning how to prepare and deal with tough times, you can make the most out of your therapy. Tough sessions can lead to big changes and healing, so keep an open heart and trust the process.