Although the ideal way to use ketamine in the treatment of depression and mood disorders likely entails receiving the treatment in a safe and comfortable setting, in an unrushed atmosphere, with a supportive counselor nearby, this is not always the experience that the ever-growing number of ketamine treatment facilities offer their patients.

Even in the absence of many therapeutic elements are stripped away, however, ketamine can in and of itself still offer individuals significant relief from the symptoms of depression – including severe, debilitating, and otherwise treatment-resistant types of depression.[1,2,3]

Thankfully, there are some simple things that patients can do to empower themselves, return the center of healing into their own realms, and enhance the success of the ketamine treatments they receive – no matter what kind of doctor they see or what kind of facility they visit.

Here are some simple ways to get the most out of every ketamine treatment:

{1} Trust the trip.

As with any psychedelic-inducing experience, it’s ideal to surrender, let the journey take you, and learn something from the experience. As a dissociative drug, ketamine might help you feel like your problems are more manageable, less consuming, or not as suffocating as they might feel otherwise. Whether you experience a full-blown mystical journey or just a welcomed feeling of distance between yourself and the depression, enjoy the opportunity to consider your life and  from a new perspective. Notice what it’s like not to feel engulfed by your problems. Appreciate the newfound space you feel that separates your core Self from the pain of your human existence. See what wisdom and lessons you might be able to glean.

{2} Listen to music.

Music is a powerful way to enhance relaxation and support the inward journey [4]. Check out these wonderful playlists and download them onto your phone or MP3 player. Wearing headphones will also help minimize the distractions you may hear from doors slamming in the clinic, staff talking in the hallway, or the buzzing and humming of medical equipment.

{3} Ignore your phone.

Put your phone on airplane mode, turn off notifications, and minimize all distractions. Handling a phone while on ketamine will pull you out of your healing journey. It is also likely to be outrageously annoying to try and operate an electronic device when you’re clumsy, confused, seeing double, and/or feeling that you’re floating in space above your own body. Navigating the three-dimensional world while on ketamine is not only vexing, but it can also make some people feel anxious.

{4} Wear an eye mask.

Many ketamine treatment clinics are located in medical office buildings with harsh fluorescent tube lights – the antithesis of a healing, relaxing, or journey-supportive environment. An eye mask worn during sessions can help support your inward journey and make the treatment a restful, restorative experience.

{5} Cozy up.

Medical offices tend to be air conditioned, which can make for a chilly session. You will be laying still for at least an hour during your infusion, so pack accordingly. Bringing cozy socks, a sweater (one that is still comfy when you pull up one of the sleeves high enough for the I.V. to be placed), or even a blanket with you can help keep you comfortable during your infusions. When our temperature is regulated we tend to feel safer and more relaxed, which can help enhance the treatment.

{6} Bring a friend.

As the ketamine levels build up in your bloodstream, you’ll likely feel disconnected from your body. It may be annoying to move, your coordination and reaction times may diminish, you might feel confused, and it could be difficult to communicate. (It’s sadly for these reasons that ketamine is sometimes abused as a date-rape drug: the person under the influence of ketamine cannot sufficiently spring to action – or even awareness – to protect themselves.)[5] I therefore recommend bringing a trusted friend or family member to each and every appointment. You can ask them to come into the room with you – but not to talk to you or otherwise distract you. If you want to be alone for the infusion, you could also have your friend sit in a spot where they can see the door of your treatment room and come in every time the doctor or nurse enters your room. Having a trusted person watch over your body while you receive the treatment may help you relax more fully into the experience. A friend/chaperone can also be handy for things like bundling you up with an extra blanket, turning off the lights, or holding your hand if you feel overwhelmed.

{7} Get a ride home.

Going to the bathroom on your own may be enough of a challenge right after a ketamine infusion; driving is an absolutely dangerous idea. Likewise, taking public transportation, especially if traveling alone, might be very overwhelming, and walking even a couple of blocks might be challenging and exhausting. This is where having that friend/chaperone can come in handy; you may want to ask them ahead of time to double as your ride home. Ask them to see you all the way into your home. If you’re traveling solo a medical transportation company is likely the safest way to go.

{8} Take the whole day off.

Most people feel “out of it” for the remainder of the day after a ketamine infusion and might even experience a worsening of their depressive symptoms. Give yourself a break and don’t schedule any obligations – even fun, social engagements – for the rest of the day post infusion. Stock the fridge ahead of time with ready-made meals, packets of instant miso soup, and other easy to prepare, nourishing foods. And go ahead and ignore your e-mail inbox.

{9} You may feel worse before you feel better.

Ketamine is often presented in a rosy light as a miracle switch in the brain that gets flipped and makes depression and anxiety go away. But some people find that their suicidal ideation and hopelessness actually get worse in the hours post infusion. If this happens to you, don’t despair; it will likely pass within a day. If you’re worried about hurting yourself, ask a friend, family member, or other trustworthy person to stay with you after your infusions.

{10} Talk to a counselor.

The dissociative state created by ketamine offers us a unique opportunity to dig into psychological traumas and emotional pains that might otherwise be too guarded or too painful to penetrate in normal, baseline consciousness. Having a therapy session during, immediately following, or shortly after a ketamine infusion may lead to therapeutic breakthroughs that might otherwise never happen, helping get the most mileage out of both the drug and the counseling process.[5] An entire directory of providers who work in person and online can be found here.

{11} Keep taking your medications and supplements.

One advantage ketamine has over other psychotropic medicines is that it can be combined safely with most other medications and supplements. Whereas patients typically have to taper down off of antidepressants before they can participate in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, those undergoing ketamine treatments typically continue taking their prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, and mood-enhancing herbal formulas as usual. Continuing with your daily medication/supplement regimen might also help stretch out the intervals between infusions.

{12} Hold off on the –epams and –zolams (benzodiazepines).

As calming as they can be, benzodiazepine drugs like alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium) can actually dampen the anti-depressive effects of ketamine.[5] In other words: ketamine works better when taken away from these other drugs.

Natural products like L-theanine, passionflower, kava kava, and Rescue Remedy, however, can typically be used without issue in conjunction with ketamine infusions. If you’re feeling anxious about your next infusion, talk to your naturopathic physician or other functional medicine provider about taking a supplemental dose of an anxiolytic supplement in the days before and the day of your ketamine treatment.

{13} Integrate.

There are various theories on how ketamine helps with depression, most of which center around various receptor sites in the brain. Unfortunately, any such changes to brain chemistry are likely to be merely transient. When meaningful psychedelic journeys and dissociated states are properly processed and integrated, however, they can stay with us for weeks, months, years, and even the rest of our lives. [6] So take the time to integrate and honor what came up during your infusion. Journal about it, record yourself talking about it, make artwork, talk to a friend, join a psychedelic integration circle, connect with a therapist or integration counselor, and do what you feel will help you weave the healing parts of your journey into your day-to-day life.

Remember: the drug is but a part of the medicine.

References

1. Taiminen T. Ketamine as treatment for depression. Duodecim 133, no. 1 (2017): 52-60.

2. Andrade C. Ketamine for depression, 2: diagnostic and contextual indications. J Clin Psychiatry 78, no. 5 (May 2017): e555-e558.

3. Phillips JL, Norris S, Talbot J, Birmingham M, Hatchard T, Ortiz A, Owoeye O, et al. Single, repeated, and maintenance ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry 176, no. 5 (1 May 2019): 401-409.

4. Barrett FS, Preller KH, Kaelen M. Psychedelics and music: neuroscience and therapeutic implications. Int Rev Psychiatry. (21 Sept 2018): 1-13.

5. Andrade C. Ketamine for Depression, 5: Potential Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug Interactions. J Clin Psychiatry. 2017 Jul;78(7):e858-e861.