What You Should Know About Ketamine and Ketamine Assisted Therapy

Written By Michael Cirillo

A lot of people would like to know more about the “psychedelic renaissance” and psychedelic treatments. Maybe you have read an article about the therapeutic use of psychedelics or perhaps you read “How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan and are curious about whether psychedelics could help you in some way. But whatever the entry point, recently, many people have begun to realize the potential of psychedelic medicines for healing and personal development.

 

Legal Status of Psychedelics and Ketamine

Currently, Ketamine is the only psychedelic medicine that is legal in the United States. Other promising compounds, like psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) and MDMA (an empathogen with heart-opening effects), are undergoing FDA clinical trials. These trials aim to establish their safety and effectiveness for therapeutic use.

 

Original Use of Ketamine

Ketamine has traditionally been used as an anesthetic at significantly higher doses than those employed for therapeutic purposes. When being used for this purpose, it was noticed that some individuals were having “emergent psychedelic experiences.” Soon ketamine began to be used as a therapeutic agent, in much lower doses, with individuals reporting profound mystical experiences and some claiming that they had lost their fear of death.[1]

 

Current Uses

Ketamine has demonstrated significant benefits across a range of mental health conditions, including:

  • Depression (strongest evidence base)

  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

  • Chronic Pain and Migraines

Ketamine’s potential isn’t limited to clinical diagnoses. It can also help those feeling stuck in rigid thought patterns or routines. By loosening mental “reins,” ketamine promotes creativity, new perspectives, and personal transformation—making it particularly helpful during life transitions or moments of self-discovery.

 

Ketamine Medication Sessions

In our practice, we use a sublingual administration method with ketamine lozenges. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Administration: You’ll hold the lozenge under your tongue for 15 minutes, then swirl it around your mouth before swallowing. This process enhances bioavailability.

  2. Onset of Effects: Within 30–40 minutes, you start to feel the effects and shortly thereafter the peak effect is experienced. People may feel untethered from their physical body or as though they’re traveling through space. The usual mental defenses are typically loosened.  It is hard to summarize all the most common effects, but we will review this with participants in detail during our preparation session.

  3. Insights and Perspectives: Many people experience heightened awareness, novel somatic sensations, and the ability to view personal challenges from new angles.

  4. Integration: While initial benefits can be profound, it’s common to return to old patterns without proper integration. That’s where therapy comes in.

 

The Role of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

Ketamine-assisted therapy combines the medicine’s effects with psychotherapy to deepen and extend its benefits. The process typically includes:

  • Preparation: Learning to relax and how to embrace the experience, setting intentions, and addressing any concerns.

  • Medicine Session: Guided by a trained psychotherapist, who provides grounding and safety.

  • Integration Therapy: Helping you process and embody the insights gained, moving from intellectual understanding to lived experience.

 

Neural Plasticity

Ketamine promotes neural plasticity, which means it helps the brain form new connections. This can be particularly beneficial during times of transition or when facing personal or spiritual challenges. Ketamine is also effective in promoting creative breakthroughs and new perspectives. For many people Ketamine facilitates profound healing and growth.

Risks and Precautions

While ketamine offers transformative potential, it’s essential to consider the risks:

  • Blood Pressure: Sessions can temporarily elevate blood pressure, so a thorough screening is conducted beforehand and individuals can be provided medication to reduce blood pressure during the session if appropriate.

  • Nausea: Some people are prone to nausea. Anti-nausea medication is also available as needed. 

  • Potential for Abuse: There is a risk of misuse, particularly for those with a history of substance abuse.

  • Mental Health Concerns: Ketamine is not recommended for individuals with a personal or family history of psychosis.

Fears and Concerns

It is natural for people to have questions or concerns about what will happen during and after ketamine treatment. Our goal is to answer any questions people may have about the process. To help in this endeavor we are offering free talks on ketamine assisted therapy. Check our events tab on our website for upcoming offerings.

_________

[1] Wolfson, Phil, and Glenn Hartelius. The Ketamine Papers : Science, Therapy, and Transformation, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, 2022. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ciis-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6987869.
Created from ciis-ebooks on 2024-07-31 21:44:05.

Michael Cirillo