How to Prepare For Ketamine
3 main steps to maximize the benefit of ketamine treatment
#1. Preparation
Take this step of preparation seriously as it can greatly influence your experience for good or bad. We follow the idea of “set” and “setting” to enhance the Ketamine or Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy treatment.
“Set” means “mindset”. Being relatively calm, present, and grounded before treatment is important. Remember why you are undergoing treatment. Plan accordingly so that you are not rushed to get to the office and don’t have to engage in stressful activities or interactions just before a session. It is important that you prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually (if applicable) in the day(s) before treatment. Please avoid the use of substances such as alcohol and marijuana as well as violent/negative TV, movies, or music.
Intention Setting: Reflect and journal before your treatment. Write down your goals or intentions for each treatment. “Let go” “Be kind to myself” “Love” “Surrender to the experience” “Have Gratitude”
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and if possible engage in regular exercise. Spend as much time in nature as possible. Try to get good quality sleep. Practice meditation and cultivate skills such as grounding and breathing exercises in order to self-treat feelings like anxiety.
“Setting” is the environment where treatment takes place. We try to create a comfortable, calming, peaceful and private space for you where you feel safe and supported.
#2. Ketamine Session
Come to your session fasting, with no food or drink for about 3 hours before your session. Plan to leave a small urine sample when you arrive if you haven’t already. Consider bringing a blanket, water bottle and eye shades. Wear comfortable clothes with a short sleeve shirt. We have headphones with disposable ear covers to use along with pre-selected instrumental, soothing type music to listen to during the treatment. You are welcome to bring your own equipment but we ask that you do not pair your own phone to our headphones.
Turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode. Your focus needs to be on you and this experience. Stressful messages received during your session can be a big distraction and can provoke an unpleasant experience.
You have prepared yourself for this day, now all you need to do is “let go” and be open the experience including what you feel, see and learn. Be present in your experience. Feel what you are feeling. If it’s positive then embrace it and soak it in. You may experience challenging or even frightening emotions during your session, but remember that this is normal and you can ground yourself, take a deep breath, and think about your intention.
You will have a private room for your session where you will be monitored from our central nurse station via a camera system and vital signs monitor which will display your heart rate, oxygen level and blood pressure reading. You will have a nurse call button. Please use it if you need anything at all. We want you to be comfortable and expect you to call us if you need to use the restroom or need any other assistance. There is space for a friend or loved one to sit in the room with you. Most patients prefer to be alone so they can fully relax and not feel like someone is waiting for them.
#3. Integration
Ketamine has a way of resetting and opening your mind. People often gain new perspectives about life and in turn their mental health, stress and challenges become more manageable. It is crucial to “integrate” the feelings, impressions, and lessons learned into your daily life before the energy fades. Ketamine is a catalyst for change, but you will still need to do the work.
Within 24 hours you should express your new insights via activities such as journaling, art, poetry or music. We encourage you to schedule therapy visits for the day after your session whenever possible. Attend the Group Ketamine Integration Workshops with our partner Family Solutions Counseling.
Consider adding KAP (Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy) to your treatment regimen. For KAP sessions you will engage in Psychotherapy while under the effects of ketamine which has the potential to create an accelerative healing process.