Ketamine is legal. It is approved by the FDA as a general anesthesic. Originally it was used as an anesthetic on the battlefield during the Vietnam War.  It is commonly used today in the emergency room or in ambulances to help people calm down and to numb acute pain. It’s even used as an anesthetic for children in some cases. Ketamine is a schedule III non-narcotic substance.  Ketamine is safe when it is administered in proper doses under medical supervision.  In smaller doses it can be used safely in a therapeutic context.

Ketamine is a dissociative medicine.  It only lasts about 1 to 2 hours versus other psychedelics that last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours. 

I work with a company called Journey Clinical.  They provide the psychiatric care.  Their highly trained medical providers will determine if ketamine is safe for you and if you are eligible for treatment. If eligible, they will send the medicine directly to you.  After the first dosing session you will follow up with Journey Clinical as necessary.

We encourage you to take a nonjudgmental stance towards your experience.  Whatever is revealed to you is information.  We have preparation sessions prior to the dosing sessions, so you feel ready to drop in on medicine days.  If frightening or challenging material come up we will look at it together during our integration session.  Usually the more challenging experiences are incredibly valuable and provide lots of opportunities for learning and change.

The medicine is sent directly to your home by Journey Clinical. On the day of your journey you will self-administer the medicine after taking your heart rate and blood pressure.  The medicine comes in the form of lozenges. You hold the lozenge in your mouth for about 15 minutes, then spit it out into a cup. 

Ketamine produces a relaxed, floating feeling that many people describe as an “out of body” type of experience.  Everyone seems to be affected by the medicine differently.  The journey could be a peaceful or restful experience or a full blown mystical experience.  Some people have visuals, some people get emotional or have more somatic experiences.  During the experience you will be lying down.  Most people are unable to walk or talk during the actual effects of the medicine. Some people access deep and painful psychological material while in their journey.  Ketamine reduces the anxiety and keeps feelings calm and relaxed. Thus, ketamine can help us access parts of ourself that are normally too painful or scary to be with.

Ketamine has been scientifically shown to rewire the brain and help us shift out of negative or unhelpful thought patterns.  

Benefits include healing from trauma, repressed emotions, and negative patterns, promoting emotional connection and self-discovery. This creates space for deeper understanding and acceptance of all your emotions.

Ketamine has been shown to significantly reduce depressive symptoms, improve anxiety management, and foster long-lasting mental health improvements. This offers a path to sustained well-being beyond traditional psychotherapy. By improving self-awareness and emotional connection, it strengthens your relationship with yourself and others. This creates a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Ketamine infusion centers are usually a medical setting where ketamine is administered intravenously. The ketamine is administered in a sterile environment for medical purposes. There is no preparation prior to your dosing session.  There is no therapist to sit with you, and afterwards there is no integration. 

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of safety and connection.  It is not just given as a medicine to alleviate symptoms but aims to get at the heart of whatever is stuck, so lasting changes can be made.

According to the research ketamine therapy builds upon itself. The research recommends 6 to 8 sessions every one to two weeks.  Usually after the first dosing session, we discuss whether this medicine feels right for you.  If it feels like you want to continue we schedule out about 6 to 8 sessions.  Sometimes you may need more time between sessions.  That is OK.  We work with what is right for you. 

Ketamine is considered generally safe.  Some side effects include nausea, elevated heart rate, or blood pressure.  The side effects are typically mild or transient and usually wear off within a few hours of the treatment.  You also will be unable to drive after the treatment and must arrange for a ride home.

Studies show that ketamine can be effective in treating mental health conditions such as depression, OCD, chronic pain, and PTSD.  Some people seek KAP for deeper psychological and spiritual exploration.  Some people turn to KAP when they feel stuck, when they are in a transition, processing grief and loss, or simply want to explore themselves in a new way.

In the doses you are given and the frequency of administration during Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, ketamine does not pose risks for addiction.  However, if you have a history of drug abuse Journey Clinical will determine if ketamine is appropriate for you. Using ketamine outside of a therapeutic context is not recommended.

Preparation helps us to bring a mindset where we are open to receive and ready to work through whatever it is that prompted us to begin this journey.  Additionally, we review how dosing days will go and place a great emphasis on safety and security.  When going into an expanded mind-space on any kind of psychedelic we are vulnerable and raw.  It is so important to feel comfortable, seen, and nurtured during these experiences by a person who feels safe. 

Preparation helps us begin this journey with that sense of safety.  Integration is where we get to create meaning and support you to make meaningful changes based on what we learned during our dosing sessions. 

Preparation and integration help make changes that can last.  I try to have the integration sessions within 48 hours of the dosing session because this is when the brain experiences the most neuroplasticity.  Within 48 hours we are the most open.  Integration feels necessary during this malleable time.

If you’d like to understand the power of neuroplasticity check out this podcast: Radiolab, “The Ecstasy of an Open Brain” Nov 8, 2024
https://radiolab.org/podcast/the-ecstasy-of-an-open-brain