Ketamine infusions can reset the brain, which can shift you out of depression, anxiety and stress so that you feel happier. To maximize your chances of a positive experience, preparing both physically and mentally before the infusions is essential. Here are some strategies to help you get ready for your ketamine treatment.
1. Get Plenty of Rest
The night before your infusion, make sure to get a good night’s sleep. Try to get at least 8 hours of rest. Do something relaxing before bed, like reading or listening to calming music. Avoid electronics before bed, as they can interfere with your sleep.
2. Reduce stress
Ketamine can alter your mood, so it’s vital to reduce stress in the days leading up to your infusion. Avoid activities that can negatively affect your mood, like watching violent or sad TV shows or movies. Limit interactions with people or places that negatively affect your mood, if possible. Be mindful of what you eat, drink, and read, as these can influence your feelings. Limit your social media use and try to do activities that help you destress, like walking in nature.
3. Meditate
Meditation is proven to calm the mind, improve focus, and ease stress. If you’ve never meditated before, you can start with a few minutes at a time. Simply close your eyes and focus on breathing deeply in and out. When your mind wanders, bring it back to concentrate on your breath. Deep breathing can also be helpful during a ketamine session to help ease your mind if uncomfortable thoughts arise.
4. Reflect and set intentions
Take some time to think about what you hope to achieve during your infusion. Write down your intentions, which can be a positive thought, phrase, or question to help guide your experience. Read more here.
5. Know what to expect
Ketamine infusions can bring a sense of euphoria, dissociation, floating, and heightened sensations. It can also bring up memories, trauma or complicated feelings that you may have avoided or repressed in the past. While this can be challenging, it can be an important step in the healing process.
If difficult experiences arise during the infusion, it can help to focus on your breath and intentions. Be open-minded and let the experience lead you. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always let your provider know so they can adjust your dosage.
6. Be patient
Not everyone responds immediately to ketamine infusions. Be patient with yourself and allow time for insights to come. You may gain new insights in the days following your first treatment session.
7. Follow the clinic preparation instructions
Each clinic will have specific instructions that must be followed before the procedure. This may involve adjusting your medication. In general, you need to avoid food and drink before your procedure. You must also arrange for someone to drive you home after the infusion.
You may also want to choose an appropriate playlist (without lyrics), and bring headphones to your session. At Ketamine Health, we let our patients know they can bring, blankets, and pillows to help them feel more comfortable during the session.
If you're considering ketamine infusions for depression, anxiety or PTSD, preparing both physically and mentally can help maximize your experience. By doing this, you can ensure a positive and transformative experience. Remember, everyone responds differently to ketamine, so be patient and open-minded throughout the process.
If you or someone you love suffers from a mental health condition, such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress or suicidal thinking, contact us now to find out if you're a good fit for this life-changing treatment.