What to Expect During Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine therapy is transforming mental health care for individuals with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by offering rapid relief and a unique therapeutic experience. If you’re considering treatment at Therapeutic Infusions, it’s natural to have questions about what the process looks like. This guide will walk you through each step of a treatment session, so you can approach your first appointment with confidence and clarity.

Proper preparation is essential to ensure a smooth and effective experience during ketamine therapy.

• Consultation and Medical Evaluation: Your journey begins with a thorough consultation. Our team reviews your medical history, current medications, and overall health to confirm that ketamine therapy is a safe and appropriate option for you. This is also an opportunity to discuss your treatment goals and create a personalized plan tailored to your needs.
• Setting Intentions: While ketamine’s effects can be powerful, entering your session with a sense of purpose can make the experience more meaningful. Whether your goal is to address the emotional weight of PTSD or break free from the hopelessness of TRD, having a focus can guide your therapeutic process.
• Preparing for the Day: You’ll need to fast for a few hours before the session to minimize any nausea. Arrange for transportation home, as the dissociative effects of ketamine make driving unsafe after the infusion. Bring anything that helps you feel calm and grounded—comfortable clothing, a blanket, or a personal object.
• What to Bring: You may want to bring comfortable clothing, a blanket, or a personal object that helps you feel safe and grounded. Therapeutic Infusions provides noise-cancelling headphones and dimmed lighting to create a calming environment, but you’re welcome to bring your own items for added comfort.

Therapeutic Infusions’ treatment rooms in Wilmington, DE, are designed with your comfort in mind. Each room features medical-grade recliners, soft lighting, blankets, and a peaceful environment to help you feel at ease.

Ketamine therapy sessions are closely monitored to ensure your safety and comfort at every stage.

• Arrival and Check-In: Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our team and guided to a private treatment room. You’ll have time to settle in and ask any last-minute questions.
• IV Infusion Setup: Ketamine is administered intravenously (IV) to ensure precise dosing and rapid absorption. A small catheter is placed in your arm or hand, and the infusion typically lasts 40–60 minutes, depending on your treatment plan.
• Monitoring During the Session: During the infusion, a trained healthcare professional will monitor your vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. You may experience dissociative effects—such as a sense of detachment from your body or surroundings—which are normal and temporary. Many patients describe this as a dream-like state or a mental “reset.”
• A Calming Environment: The treatment rooms are designed to provide a serene, supportive space. Noise-canceling headphones, dim lighting, and other comforts are available to enhance your experience. Our team is always nearby to make adjustments or offer reassurance if needed.

After your infusion, you’ll enter the recovery phase, where the immediate effects of ketamine begin to subside.

• Observation Period: You’ll stay in the clinic for 30–60 minutes after your session, during which we monitor your vital signs and overall well-being. You may feel drowsy or slightly disoriented—this is normal and usually resolves quickly.
• Transportation Home: As mentioned earlier, you’ll need someone to drive you home. Plan to spend the rest of the day resting and allowing the treatment’s effects to settle.
• Emotional Aftercare: Ketamine often promotes neuroplasticity, a state where the brain is more open to forming new connections and breaking old patterns. This makes the period after treatment an excellent time to engage in self-reflection, mindfulness, or therapy.

Ketamine therapy is generally well-tolerated, but as with any medical treatment, there are potential side effects.

Common Side Effects:

1. Mild nausea or dizziness
2. Disorientation or dissociation
3. Headaches (less common)
4. Slight elevation in blood pressure
5. Managing Side Effects: Our team is equipped to address any side effects during the session. Most symptoms fade shortly after the infusion, but you’ll receive guidance on how to manage any lingering effects.

The benefits of ketamine therapy extend beyond the session itself. Integration—the process of applying and making sense of the experience—is a vital part of the journey.

• Follow-Up Appointments: At Therapeutic Infusions, we schedule follow-up consultations to evaluate your progress and determine if additional sessions are needed. The number of infusions varies depending on individual needs, with some patients benefiting from a series of treatments over several weeks.
• Combining with Psychotherapy: Many patients find that combining ketamine therapy with psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy) enhances their outcomes. Because ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, this is a valuable time to work with a therapist to reinforce new, healthy patterns of thinking and behavior.
• Building Healthy Habits: To maximize the effects of ketamine therapy, we encourage patients to engage in activities that support mental health, such as mindfulness, therapy, regular exercise, and proper nutrition.

Ketamine therapy is a transformative option for those struggling with TRD or PTSD, offering relief when other treatments have fallen short. At Therapeutic Infusions, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process in a safe, supportive environment.

If you’re ready to explore whether ketamine therapy is right for you, to schedule a consultation. Relief may be closer than you think—you don’t have to navigate it alone.