The use of ketamine and other psychedelics for mental health therapy requires careful attention to preparation, along with a well thought out plan after the experience. Ketamine can be a powerful tool for healing, although preparation prior to your infusions appears to be beneficial for achieving the proper mindset that allows for a therapeutic response. The goal of preparation is to maximize benefits and avoid potential risks or side effects.
At Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, we like to think about preparation in a similar fashion to preparing for a road trip. It’s necessary to have a map of your journey, understanding where you are starting from and where you wish to go. Integration, on the other hand, refers to what is done after your infusions or in between treatment sessions. Integration includes plans of action and changes in your lifestyle in positive ways to achieve long lasting results after ketamine therapy. Ketamine therapy alone will have beneficial effects, although integration is essential for enhancing the therapeutic potential of the medicine. We will cover some important aspects of both preparation and integration and help you through your ketamine infusion therapy.
It is important that you do your homework and educate yourself prior to beginning ketamine infusion therapy. It is encouraged to have a basic understanding of the mechanisms of action of ketamine and its potential role for the treatment of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Ketamine is very safe with rare instances of people who should not consider it as an option for treatment (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, liver failure, active substance abuse, schizophrenia). Educating yourself and having a good understanding of the infusion process prior to starting therapy will help ease the mind and avoid anxiety about potential unknowns. At Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, our process begins with a phone consultation to discuss your mental health history and to help educate you about our process and answer your questions.
It is understandable that you may be facing challenges with your mood from depression, anxiety, or other mental disorder, but being in an accepting and relaxed mindset will allow for an enhanced therapeutic experience. Ketamine infusions can sometimes be emotionally challenging; thus we feel it is important to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Practices to achieve a calm mental state may include journaling, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, or other stress reducing rituals. Additionally, proper sleep and diet will greatly influence your mental wellbeing. Do your best to ensure that you are getting proper rest and eating well to further enrich your ketamine experience and outcomes. Having intensions (goals) that you desire to achieve from your ketamine infusion therapy can help give meaning and direction for your journey. Examples of intensions include, “Be more grateful," Let go of the past," "Be kind to others," and, "Be more present in the moment." Before you begin your infusions, your very first appointment will be with our licensed ketamine assisted therapist who will help you create intentions for your treatment.
Feeling comfortable with the physical environment and surroundings will greatly improve your ketamine infusion experience. We have taken great care to create a soothing and safe space for our clients. Attention to details such as a pleasant aroma, soft lighting, and even soft blankets can make a great impact on your mental state. We curate special music for your experience as well, playlists that will optimize your peace-of-mind and promote an enriched ketamine infusion. Some patients like to bring a talisman of comfort with them, so please feel free to bring along anything that makes you feel at ease, perhaps your favorite blanket, or your best-smelling candle.
Family, friends and mental heath professionals can be a great source of support throughout your healing process. It is important to talk about your concerns, hopes and fears, as it is normal to have strong or, sometimes even overwhelming emotions develop during your infusions. We highly recommend that you undertake your ketamine experience with help and support. At Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, we firmly believe in the importance psychotherapy to help guide you through your healing process.
Once your series of ketamine infusions have ended, your journey towards healing continues. Ketamine can often act as a catalyst for change, helping you move forward, make changes and develop new, healthy patterns to incorporate into your daily life. Patients often remark that ketamine therapy acted as a re-set button, so once your undergo treatment, it's essential to have a plan in place to help keep you on the right track.
It can be very beneficial to meditate on what you experienced by journaling. Ketamine infusions often have a dream-like quality, so sometimes even the most profound insights can slip away. Taking note of these moments can be a good way for self-assessment and aiding in achieving goals and personal growth. It's key to take time out of your schedule to reflect on your experience and what you learned.
Expressing your thoughts out loud and talking with family members, friends or a therapist can be both productive and therapeutic. Psychedelic experiences are sometimes described as ineffable, although talking through your experience is likely to stir up new thoughts and spark meaningful conversations both internally and with people you trust.
After ketamine therapy, the brain is more receptive to change, especially within the first forty-eight hours. It is imperative to make use of this precious time to reshape your behaviors. An exercise routine, meditation, yoga, prayer, or other spiritual practice are some examples of healthy daily habits. Developing a detailed plan of action is likely to lead to long-term success. Especially in the days following an infusion, take extra care to ensure your optimal wellbeing by eating a healthy diet, drinking water, exercising and being in nature.
At Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy we find it beneficial for you to have a therapist. The ideal scenario is to have an infusion one day and then a psychotherapy session the following day or soon after. We prefer our patients to meet with our licensed ketamine-assisted therapist a minimum of three times. The first session will be before you start your ketamine treatment, the second will be once you have completed a few infusions and the third will be once you complete all your infusions. This is valuable time to assess your progress, evaluate changes and create a plan to keep you moving forward. If you already have a therapist, we highly encourage coordinating your care. We would be happy to speak with anyone on your mental health team at any time.
After an infusion, patients will often state that they have newfound motivation, clarity, and meaning in their life. Finding your passion and purpose is a gift, and now is the time to act. Perhaps you may want to eat healthier, start working out regularly, change your career, leave a toxic relationship, relocate to another city, or confront something difficult in your past. What do you want to change? Now is the time to act.
Getting the most out of your ketamine therapy experience involves homework, preparation and hard work. Change takes time and endurance. Success may not come to you right away, so it is important to have patience and an understanding that lasting change comes with continued work and persistence.
Preparation (which includes education, attention to set and setting, and making use of strong support systems) is key to making progress on your mental health. Ketamine therapy alone is likely to have beneficial effects, however, integration (which includes self-reflection, developing new routines and healthy daily habits along with help from a professional such as a therapist) is what will ultimately lead to longterm, positive changes.
At Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, we understand the importance of preparation and integration and are here to help you on your path to a happier and healthier life.
Tags: anxiety, depression, integration, ketamine, ketamine therapy, meditation, preparation, psychedelics, PTSD, san luis obispo, suicide
Disclaimer: All content on this website, including (but not limited to) this statement, news, blog post, article, testimonial, or FAQ is not medical advice and should not be considered as such. This website cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition. Only a licensed medical professional who is familiar with you and your medical history can do that. Therefore, we cannot be responsible or liable for any actions taken by those who access our website or rely on its content. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for more information.