Ketamine therapy, whether in the form of intravenous (IV) infusions or Spravato nasal spray, is a unique and effective way to address a variety of mental health conditions, especially when other therapies have failed. Preparing thoroughly for your treatment sets you up for a positive experience with long-lasting effects. This guide outlines essential steps to help you get ready, both mentally and physically, for your ketamine treatment at Keta Medical Center.
Understanding Ketamine Treatment
Ketamine induces a dissociative state that lasts about 45 minutes during each session. It works by promoting neuroplasticity in the brain, helping to create new neural pathways. Patients often achieve major breakthroughs, enabling them to release negative thought patterns and more easily embrace new tools for emotional recovery.
If you have any fears or uncertainties about ketamine, we recommend you address them beforehand. Speak with our doctors, psychiatrists or your own healthcare providers to alleviate anxiety and better understand what to expect.
I am the KAP therapist on staff and offer complimentary 15-minute phone consultations so you can learn more about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. During the call, I can answer any questions or concerns you have to make sure you’re confident and ready to fully benefit from the treatment.
Physical Preparation: Rest, Hydration and Diet
To get the most out of your ketamine experience, it’s important to physically prepare your body in advance.
- Drink lots of fluids!
Stay hydrated in the days leading up to your treatment to support your body’s overall function and keep your mind clear and focused. - Eat a balanced diet.
A clean, balanced diet can also help optimize your body’s readiness for treatment. Eat healthy, nutritious meals and avoid processed foods, too much sugar, or anything that might make you feel sluggish. Proper nutrition supports brain function, heightening your ability to respond positively to ketamine therapy. - Get a good night’s rest.
A good night’s sleep the night before your session will also help you enter the treatment feeling more relaxed and receptive to the experience.
Mental Preparation: Embracing Calmness and Openness
Mental readiness is just as important as the physical preparations. Approach your treatment with a calm and open mindset to help you navigate the experience more comfortably. Take time for meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling or other relaxation techniques to reduce pre-treatment anxiety and get a better sense of your goals.
You may feel nervous before your treatment, particularly if this is your first time trying ketamine therapy. These feelings are normal. At Keta Medical Center, our team is there to address any questions or concerns you may have, helping to ease any tension and foster peace of mind before your session.
Avoid Substances and Negative Influences
In the days leading up to your treatment, avoid any substances that might interfere with the effectiveness of ketamine. When you abstain from alcohol, marijuana and other substances, you guarantee that your body and mind are in the best possible condition for the therapy.
We also recommend that you minimize exposure to violent or distressing media. Watching or reading unsettling content can negatively impact your mental state, making it harder to relax and engage with the therapy. Instead, make a point of maintaining a peaceful and supportive environment. The same goes for unsupportive individuals or situations that might cause unnecessary emotional stress. Do all you can to create an atmosphere of calm and positivity before your treatment.
Trust the Process
Once your treatment begins, try to surrender to the experience and know that the ketamine is working. While in the dissociative state induced by ketamine, some patients feel a euphoric high or a deep relaxation and others may feel unsettling emotions. Everybody’s experience is different but trust that your unique healing process is exactly what you need. Your subconscious will not show you anything you are not ready to see, so stay open and be curious.
Ketamine therapy also works on a biological level. So regardless of sensitive or challenging material that may arise during the ketamine journey, the medicine is still helping your brain create new pathways- new thoughts and new emotions.
You don’t need to force anything during the session.Turn off your phone. Put headphones on. Turn on your choice of calming music or sounds. Then, simply relax and allow the treatment to unfold naturally. Trust that the medical staff at Keta Medical Center is monitoring your experience closely, and just let go – knowing you are in a safe place with our doctors on premises at all times.
Preparing for Healing at Keta Medical Center
Preparing for your ketamine journey — whether through IV or Spravato nasal spray — enables you to approach the treatment in a way that maximizes its benefits. At Keta Medical Center, you can feel confident knowing that the entire process is medically supervised, allowing you to fully trust the experience and embrace the potential for positive change.
Take the next step towards healing and schedule a free consultation with one of our physicians today.