Preparing for what’s to come after your ketamine treatment experience is crucial for maximizing the benefits of your therapy. This guide outlines key aspects to consider and steps to take before and after your ketamine infusion.
Before Your Ketamine Treatment
Arrange Transportation
Plan for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after the infusion. Ketamine can impair motor skills and cognitive function for several hours post-treatment.
Prepare Your Post-Ketamine Environment
Set up a comfortable, quiet space at home for rest and reflection after your session. We recommend having your house fully cleaned and organized, so you are coming into a tranquil, uncluttered space. A cluttered space can create a cluttered mind!
Plan for Rest
Schedule your treatment when you can take the remainder of the day off. Avoid planning any strenuous activities or important commitments the same day. If you have children, see if it’s possible to have them be taken care of a trusted adult the evening you return from treatment.
Stock Up on Essentials
Ensure you have easy-to-digest foods and plenty of water at home. We recommend tea and fresh produce (like berries, citrus, and maybe even a salad ready).
Inform Your Support Network
Brief a trusted friend or family member about your treatment and ask for their support during the post-infusion period.
Immediately After Your Ketamine Treatment (24-48 Hours)
Rest and Recover
Allow yourself to rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid operating machinery or making important decisions, and avoid going out to events or having meetings.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water to help your body process the treatment and alleviate potential side effects like dry mouth. You may want to utilize electrolyte powders – or simply add salt and citrus (like lemon or lime) to you water.
Eat Lightly
Start with small, easily digestible meals if you experience any nausea. Avoid a very heavy meal within the 8-12 hours after treatment.
Avoid Alcohol and Recreational Drugs
These substances can interfere with the therapeutic effects of ketamine.
Have Your Journal Nearby
Have your journal (or note-taking app or voice recorder) nearby to jot down any thoughts or insights that come to mind over the hours after your treatment. They may not make sense right now – but as you integrate over the next few days and weeks, they may be very useful gems of insight!
The Days Following Ketamine Treatment (48-120 Hours)
Practice Gentle Self-Care
Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and gentle activities that promote relaxation. If you’d normally take a HIIT class, consider an hour of yoga or a nice long walk instead.
Engage in Reflection
Consider journaling or meditation to process your experience and any insights gained. This can be as easy as checking in with yourself throughout the day, such as in the morning when you wake up, asking yourself: how do I feel? And at lunch, taking a moment to pause before eating and asking yourself: what am I grateful for? Or what feels different today? For more reflection questions, you can head to our Integration Questions & Prompts.
Attend Integration Sessions
Participate in follow-up coaching or therapy, and/or group integration sessions to maximize the benefits of your treatment. Nushama offers weekly group integration for free! Sign up here.
Monitor Your Response
Keep track of changes in your mood and cognition. This information will be valuable for you to reflect on in the coming days, and for your healthcare provider(s) and coach or therapist.
Continue Prescribed Medications
Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, continue taking your regular medications.
What to Watch For During and After Ketamine Treatment
Common Side Effects of Ketamine Treatments
You may experience mild dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea immediately after treatment. These effects typically subside within a few hours.
Emotional Changes
Be prepared for potential emotional shifts, including increased sensitivity or introspection. These are normal and can be valuable for your therapeutic process, which is why it’s so important to have an environment of tranquility set up for your return post-treatment, and for you to continue to cultivate the space (mentally and physically) to address these changes, such a meditation practice, mindful movement practice, and integration group work or coaching.
Improvements in Symptoms
Many patients report rapid relief from depression and other mental health symptoms, often within hours or days of treatment due to ketamine’s acute effects. The 24-72 hours after treatment are a highly neuroplastic window, so anything you practice within this window (such as meditation, journaling, and/or reflection) is more likely to “stick” into the days after.
Post-ketamine care is an integral part of your treatment journey. By preparing yourself and your environment, engaging in self-care, and maintaining open communication with your healthcare providers and support network, you can optimize the benefits of your ketamine therapy.
Remember, everyone’s experience with ketamine treatment is unique. Be patient with yourself and reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions during your process.
