What Does Ketamine Feel Like?

What Does Ketamine Feel Like?

The most common question I get asked about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is “What does Ketamine feel like?” It’s normal and valid to spent time exploring this question. Ketamine, along with other psychedelic therapies like MDMA and Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) cause one-of-a-kind experiences. These new models for mental health care are very different From traditional talk therapy or antidepressants like SSRIs or SNRIs.

Background on Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine is a safe and effective treatment for depression, pain, anxiety and other mental health concerns. Ketamine has been used for decades in both mental health application as well as medical contexts for sedation, pain relief and anesthesia.

In my practice, I work with low-to-moderate doses of ketamine. They come in a lozenge that is mailed to you (if prescribed by my partner physicians) in your specific dose. You suck on the lozenge, allowing the ketamine to slowly and gently enter your system. After 20-40 minutes, the ketamine will kick in and the experience lasts about an hour. I’m with my clients the entire time, here to support and guide you.

What Does Ketamine Feel Like?

            While each individual treatment is different, the common features of a ketamine therapy session are: 

Dissociation

Dissociation is a temporary mental state in which people feel detached from their body and their surroundings. Often ketamine changes your perception of time; client often say that their hour-long journey felt much longer. Features of dissociation are:

·       Feeling like things are in slow motion or seem unreal.

·       Feeling separated from reality.

·       Feeling as if looking at things from outside the body.

·       Feeling like you are a spectator or like you are observed.

·       Objects looking different.

·       Colors seeming duller or brighter than usual.

·       Time speeding up or slowing down.

·       Seeing things through a fog or having tunnel vision.

·       Losing track of time or what is happening in the environment.

·       Feeling as though your body has changed.

·       Euphoria

·       Floating sensations

·       Losing track of time (time speeding up or slowing down)

·       Having tunnel vision

·       Feeling separated from “normal reality” and in touch with a “deeper reality” 

Often, this temporary break from the world and your body is experience with relief and peace. It’s a new and unique experience, sometimes it’s uncomfortable at first. I encourage all my clients to be open and curious about what they experience, taking comfort in the safety of being with a trained and professional therapist who is “looking over” them as they journey.

            Dissociation is integral to the antidepressant effect of ketamine therapy. Ketamine is a fast-acting and very effective treatment for depression in part due to

The ability to observe thoughts and feelings without reacting to them

            A common effect of ketamine is the ability to watch your thoughts and feelings, without necessarily becoming involved or needing to react to them. Some clients describe this like watching a TV show or a movie. Others describe it as a dreamlike state where memories can emerge and often are reprocessed in a healing way.

            Ketamine therapy offers this unique space to experience your mind and yourself in a different way. Most client describe this like a calm, peaceful place to reflect and be in touch with themselves. Clients have also described this ability to observe their thoughts as a blessed break from an internal judge or harsh critic that contributes to their depression.

New Insights and Thought Patterns

            A common feature of ketamine therapy is the emergence spontaneous insights; these are the ‘aha’ moments that can come from deep contemplation or years of therapy. With ketamine and other psychedelic treatments, these flashed of insights appear to come much quicker and can be integrated into your everyday life.

            My own psychedelic therapy sessions brought me many insights such as these. My clients report them as well. Some examples are:

·      A sudden knowing that a past trauma is over and healed

·      A deep understanding that an addiction is no longer needed

·      A release of bottled up feelings, thoughts, grudges, or self-judgements

·      A new way to solve a problem

In ketamine therapy (as well as psychedelic therapy in general), this is sometimes referred to as an “inner healing” or “inner healing wisdom.” This is the idea that deep down, there are pieces of wisdom that are healing once they come to the surface. Ketamine can gently bring these pieces of wisdom to the surface to be integrated into your life.

Visual and Auditory Hallucinations (at higher doses)

            At higher doses of ketamine and other psychedelic medicines, visual and auditory hallucinations are common. With proper preparation (preferably with a licensed therapist who has trained in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy) these experiences are usually not frightening or alarming.

            What comes up for each individual person can vary widely. At times, people revisit memories, interact with loved ones (alive and deceased), feel the presence of ancestors or loving guides, or see beautiful scenes.

 The Aftereffects (increased neuroplasticity and the therapeutic window)

            Ketamine (and other psychedelic medicines) are believed to boost neuroplasticity in the brain. Neuroplasticity refers to the brains ability to form new connections between neurons, and between neural networks. There is also emerging evidence that ketamine boost neurogenesis, which is the growing of entirely new neurons in the brain.

            For about a week after a ketamine session the time is ripe for change. This means you may be more open to new ideas, new ways of looking at the world, increased problem-solving, and healthier thought patterns. Effectively, ketamine can rewire the brain.

After a ketamine session, the work truly begins. This is why working with a licensed therapist is crucial. Ketamine will relieve depression and create new opportunities to work on healthier coping tools, reimagine areas of your life, and build new habits.

Curious about ketamine and psychedelic therapy? Ready to begin healing? Is it important to you to work with a trained and licensed psychedelic therapist? Contact me to schedule a free discovery phone call.