How will I feel after the therapy is finished?” “What are some things I need to keep an eye out for after I finish the therapy?”. These are the most frequently asked questions of patients before and after a ketamine infusion treatment. After reading this blog post, you should have a better idea of what to expect after ketamine infusion therapy treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain.
Let’s first define what ketamine infusion treatment is before we get into the details of what to expect after a ketamine infusion.
What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine is generally a dissociative anesthetic used by doctors to induce general anesthesia. It is mainly given at a medical clinic as an intravenous infusion. The infusion was first used as an anesthetic in the 1960s and has since proven to be an effective antidepressant.
It improves the effectiveness of sedatives in the operating room and allows patients to require fewer addictive painkillers, such as morphine, after surgery. When taken in small doses, it helps to alleviate discomfort.
Ketamine infusion has a significant impact on suicide prevention. It can also rapidly reduce life-threatening thoughts and actions that may lead to suicide. This one-of-a-kind drug therapy works almost instantly and has long-lasting effects on patients. Let’s get into what to expect after ketamine infusion therapy.
What to Expect After Ketamine Infusion?
Ketamine infusion therapy has mental, emotional, behavioral, and physical effects, most of which are good. Given its dissociative properties, several patients who have received the therapy report feeling disconnected from their bodies. Some people are confused and nauseous, while others are happy, calm, and completely relaxed. Let’s talk about some other traits:
1. Feeling Inspired and Peaceful
One of the first things to expect after a ketamine infusion is a sense of calm and peace that you have never felt before. Patients tend to ride these emotions and incorporate good habits into their lifestyle to make the most of them.
2. Feeling Introspective
Patients may experience a flurry of “downloads” or lessons following a Ketamine Infusion. You may gain more insight by participating in events such as being out of your body or having a near-death experience.
You may feel introspective afterward and realize things that will change your perspective on life. The dosage will also determine this. The higher the dose, the more likely to have these kinds of side effects due to taking it.
3. Feeling Vulnerable
When learning about what to expect after a Ketamine infusion therapy, something to keep in mind is a sense of vulnerability. This is a common feeling, especially if you have had a close encounter with death or have been confronted with some unpleasant realities from your past. These trying circumstances have the potential to emotionally expose you.
If you have these feelings, you should talk to someone about them, such as a therapist or an integration coach. Even something as simple as writing in a notebook after therapy may help you process and digest your feelings more effectively.
4. Feeling Nauseous or Dizzy
The likelihood of feeling nauseous or dizzy while under the influence of ketamine is influenced by how your body reacts to the drug and the dosage given to you. You may feel slightly floaty for several hours after the infusions if you received a higher dose.
If your nausea persists, consult with your ketamine specialist so that you can receive the appropriate medications.
Final Thoughts
Ketamine infusion has multiple uses, particularly in treating treatment-resistant depression, OCD, anxiety, or alcoholism. Since the drug can be abused for recreational purposes, it should only be used as a last resort in treating chronic pain. Ketamine should only be used when other treatments fail, or the side effects are too severe. As a result, if you consider the procedure an alternative, you should consult a professional.
Contact Balanced Ketamine to learn more about what to expect after a Ketamine infusion therapy.