Ketamine - What to Expect

What is Ketamine? We will answer that question and more–learn about what to expect during your first ketamine treatment and read examples of what ketamine therapy might feel like. 

Do you know the saying, “You don’t know until you know”? Well, this pretty much sums up what your first ketamine experience will be like–you won’t know exactly what it feels like until you do it. In many ways, it is hard for people to put into words the feeling of out-of-body experiences that they have. Each experience is unique and individual. The good news is–we have worked with many people who have found relief and we will share what to expect during your first ketamine treatment.

Chances are you are exploring the idea of ketamine therapy after a long road of trying different therapies and medications that didn’t work. Treatment-resistant depression affects nearly one-third of depressed patients. There is promising data that supports ketamine as a breakthrough in the mental health field. Thomas Insel, the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health stated, “Recent data suggest that Ketamine, given intravenously, might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades.” 

Ketamine infusions can be rapidly effective and transformational for people who suffer from treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. At Mindwell, we meet with each patient to determine if they are a candidate for this treatment. At our clinic in Greenville, South Carolina, we see a range of patients including those who suffer from anxiety which can manifest as phobias, obsessive thoughts, and panic disorder. The severity of symptoms ranges from mild to severe and ketamine is a treatment for anyone feeling like they are on this spectrum.

Table of Contents

• What is Ketamine

  • Dissociate anesthetic

  • Non-addictive pain reliever

  • Safe mental health therapy

• First Ketamine Treatment

  • Setting Intentions

  • Private spa-like treatment rooms

  • Treatments last about an hour

  • 6 foundational treatments over 2 weeks

• Ketamine Experience

  • Knowing what to expect

  • No experience is the same

  • Dream-like state

  • Peaceful and relaxing

• Going Home

  • Sleepy after treatment

  • Must have a driver

  • Continue with a calm stress-free day

  • Treatment continues after you leave

• Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if I need to use the restroom?

  • What happens if I’m having a negative experience?

  • Are there side effects to ketamine?

  • Will I feel the same thing every time?

  • What if I don’t feel a change?

• Is ketamine right for you?

What is Ketamine? 

Ketamine has been commonly used as a dissociative anesthetic during surgery. But more recently it is being administered in almost every surgical procedure as a pain medicine that is non-addictive and part of an opioid stewardship program designed to reduce the amount of narcotics that are used during and after surgery. 

Ketamine induces loss of consciousness through sedation and reduces the body’s ability to feel pain. Ketamine was developed in the 1960s and has been used for over half a century to treat patients. It is a common emergency room anesthetic because of its ability to maintain cardiorespiratory stability while keeping the mind sedated and the pain levels low.

In the mental health field, ketamine treatment has been studied for nearly 20 years as an alternative to SSRIs and other medications. Ketamine works as an NMDA antagonist which is thought to help elevate glutamate activity. Glutamate is known to regulate mood and plays a role in learning and memory function. Neuroplasticity is the process and ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections. This process is why ketamine is so fast-acting and effective. 

The time frame directly following treatment is crucial for introducing positive feedback. A recent study found that showing patients smiling faces after their ketamine treatment prolonged the antidepressant benefits of ketamine treatment.

It is important to remember that ketamine treatment is not a cure. It is a tool that we can use to help you on the road to feeling better. Ketamine therapy should be used in combination with other practices like therapy, mindfulness, and general wellness.

First Ketamine Treatment

You might be wondering what to expect during your first treatment. There will be preparation leading up to your first ketamine treatment like setting intentions on where you want your mind to go during your treatment. This can be as simple as using an “I am” statement for how you want to feel during your infusion. Here are a few examples:

• I am safe

• I am loved

• I can explore the hidden parts of me

• I trust my intuition and body

• I can heal

Every room at Mindwell is private and has an extra comfortable seat if you want to bring a trusted person with you. We can dim the lights and play your music of choice. Some people choose to dim the lights and wear an eye mask and earbuds. Others just recline and relax as the treatment is taking place.

From start to finish a ketamine treatment lasts about an hour. The infusion portion of the ketamine treatment will last 40 minutes–as soon as the ketamine infusion is finished you will feel yourself coming back to reality. We will have you rest for 20 minutes following your treatment before you are released to go home.

Every treatment plan is different but most patients will have 6 ketamine sessions in 2 weeks. Your second session will be scheduled a few days after your first. After completing your initial 6 sessions there is a chance you will need booster sessions and this can range from every 2 weeks to 3 months. In some cases, patients see full remission after their initial 6 treatments. Integrating a form of talk therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help sustain the antidepressant effects of ketamine therapy.

IV Ketamine

Intravenous ketamine treatment works just like any other IV you might receive. It is administered in the form of a steady drip. At Mindwell, we monitor your vitals during your IV treatment and check in with you during every step of the process. 

Ketamine Experience

Knowing what to expect in terms of the experience that patients feel can help you anticipate your appointment. It is important to note that no experience is the same but we do see common themes. Most patients feel a sense of losing track of time as they slip away into a dream but in this new dream space, they feel like they can make sense of the world. It can be described as sensing or knowing something internally but not being able to physically feel it–like knowing your body and mind internally but not being able to physically feel your body in the present. Some other feelings can include:

• Feelings of detachment

• Numbness or tingling

• Feeling of floating

• Visual distortions including seeing vivid colors and shapes

• Inability to perceive time

• Talkativeness, laughing or giggling

• Intellectual detachment

• Encountering people from your past

• Spiritual insight

• Release of emotional tension

• In rare cases, dizziness, nausea, or the experience of memory you did not want to remember

This state of being can enhance feelings of creativity, connection, purpose, gratitude, and perspective. Some patients feel mellow with a warming sensation and others smile a laugh. Most patients find the experience relaxing and enjoyable.

Going Home

Most patients are back to feeling normal within a few hours of the treatment. You might feel groggy, lethargic, or have the desire to go to sleep. For these reasons, we do not allow anyone receiving ketamine treatment to drive home. You will need to have someone drive you or plan to take a carshare service.

It is helpful if you have an easy meal prepared at home and take time to relax, journal, or meditate after your infusion. Let your body be the guide.  Avoid distressing media and allow your mind and body to be present. Some people like to write down things they remember during their infusion, this can help as you work through processing what you experienced. It will also help you set your intention for your next infusion treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I need to use the restroom?

You should use the restroom before your treatment so that you can rest and relax your body. The IV ketamine treatment will put a lot of fluids into your body and it is not uncommon to need to use the restroom after your treatment. The treatment lasts 40 minutes and the last 20 are for you to come back to your normal state and to take care of any needs like using the restroom.

What happens if I am having a negative experience?

It is uncommon for patients to have a negative experience but there might be some cases where you will request us to pause your treatment. Someone from our staff will slow down or stop your IV drip until you are ready to move forward. Almost immediately after the ketamine has stopped you will return to normal consciousness. 

Are there side effects to ketamine? 

The patient might feel nausea, vomiting, double vision, dizziness, dysphoria, and confusion. For these reasons, patients cannot drive or operate vehicles after the treatment and should arrange transportation home. If you feel like vomiting during your treatment we can slow down or stop your drip and help you until you are ready to start again. This is a very rare side-effect but we are here for you if it happens. Most side effects wear off a few hours after the treatment.

Will I feel the same experience every time?

There is no way to know if your experience with ketamine treatments will feel the same during each treatment. Depending on the treatment plan your dose could change and patients have reported that they have different experiences when their dose is raised, not that the experience is superior, just different. Ketamine is working in your brain’s neuroplasticity and creating new synapses so a great way to guide your session is to set an intention of where you want your mind to go when your treatment starts. That could change your experience during each session.

What if I don’t feel a change?

One of the most common reasons that ketamine is ineffective is because it interacts with current medications like benzodiazepines and lamotrigine. All medications should be disclosed as you prepare for your treatment to avoid this issue. 

The wrong dosage and amount of sessions can affect how well you respond to treatment. Ideally, all 6 sessions should be completed before deciding if the treatment has not worked. In some cases, the third to fifth treatment is where the change is felt.

There is a level of preparation that is crucial to your success and that includes setting your intentions before treatment and having a plan in place for integration after your treatment. You will not feel the full benefit of ketamine therapy without proper preparation.

Is Ketamine Right For You?

Have you tried SSRIs without success? Most people who suffer from pain, treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety finally find relief with ketamine therapy. We understand that the process of trying treatment after treatment can be overwhelming, confusing, and costly–but it doesn’t have to be! At Mindwell, we offer ketamine treatments that show positive results for people who haven’t found relief with other therapies.

Mindwell serves the greater Greenville South Carolina area and beyond, our experienced and trustworthy medical staff can help guide you during this process. Contact us today and set up a consultation to see if ketamine treatments are right for you. There is no charge for this informational call. Connect with us by phone, email, or through the contact button to get started.

Disclaimer: This material is for general information and does not constitute medical advice. Responses to inquiries, whether by email, telephone, or other means, do not constitute medical advice.