This is a transcript of the video which has been edited for readability.
Discover 3 navigation tools to use during a ketamine infusion to help you handle challenging experiences and maintain focus: witnessing, breathing, and surrendering.
During a ketamine infusion, it can be so easy to feel lost or confused. Because of ketamine’s dissociative properties, there is a chance you may see or feel things that could remind you of painful memories or traumas. This is why it’s important to have the right mindset and incorporate good practices to keep you anchored and focused. Today, we’re going to share with you three navigation tools during a ketamine infusion to help you.
By learning to simply observe rather than react, you’ll be able to process your ketamine experience in a more positive manner.
Tool #1: Witness
The first tool is witnessing. By witnessing, I mean being the observer of whatever is coming up for you during that experience. You don't necessarily have to get entangled with the experience, but simply be a witness. Remember that ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, meaning that you're going to be disconnecting the mind from the body. This means you will be able to observe and witness from that third party perspective.
When you focus on taking slow, deep breaths, you signal your body to relax and calm yourself down.
Tool #2: Breathe
Another important and sometimes underestimated tool is breathing. In the field of emergency medicine, we talk about something called the ABC's which means the Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. We all know we need to breathe to live, but what’s really fascinating is that the breath is both within your unconscious and conscious . For example, if you don't think about breathing, then your body is going to unconsciously do it for you. But at the same time, you can influence and control your breathing.
Whenever something unpleasant comes up or you’re having a challenging ketamine experience, remember to take some deep breaths. When you take these deep, slow breaths, it actually increases your parasympathetic nervous system which is the part of your autonomic nervous system that allows you to rest and relax. It's the opposite of that fight or flight response. So when you're doing these deep breathing exercises, it'll help you calm down.
In fact, why don’t you take a deep breath right now?
To explore more on the topic of how to handle a challenging ketamine infusion experience, read our blog here.
When there are things you don’t understand during your ketamine experience, surrendering and letting go helps you accept whatever happens.
Tool #3: Surrender
Finally, the third tool for you is to surrender. This means letting go of control, allowing and accepting whatever comes. When I say the word "surrender," I don't mean giving up because there's a subtle difference. Surrendering is allowing and accepting whatever may happen and but also not resisting it. Trust that the ketamine is going to work for you. Trust that your unconscious mind will take you where you need to go. Simply allow, experience, and know that whatever happens is going to be what’s best for you.
Strengthening Your Mind: Preparing for Ketamine Infusion through Mindfulness Practices
Learning to surrender is no easy feat, especially because as humans, we want everything to be under our control. We want things to go the way we want them to go, we want to heal as quickly as possible, and so on. Which is why we encourage you to practice learning how to surrender before you step into the clinic. By incorporating good, mindful habits such as meditation and journaling, you’ll be able to understand the concept of surrendering more and keep yourself mentally strong throughout the treatment.
Read more about what to do before and after a ketamine infusion at our blog here!
There will always be challenges in life, and by learning to witness, breathe, and surrender, you will be able to keep a calm and relaxed state of mind.
There is Strength in Stillness
If you’ve noticed with these three tools, these are actually practices that seem very simple to do, but we often forget to do them. These tools aren’t just useful during your ketamine infusion, but even in life in general as well. So even long after your ketamine infusion treatment, we encourage you to always remember to witness, breathe, and surrender, no matter how difficult life gets.
Related Questions
What is the importance of witnessing during a ketamine infusion?
Witnessing during a ketamine infusion allows you to mindfully observe the emotions, thoughts, and feelings that arise. This creates space for new perspectives and enables you to maintain a sense of detachment, helping you process the experience. Learn more about observing and labeling your thoughts at our blog.
What is the difference between surrendering and giving up during a ketamine infusion?
The difference between surrendering and giving up lies in acceptance, acceptance of what comes up during the psychedelic ketamine therapy experience. Surrendering involves going with the flow and peacefully accepting what is occurring, while giving up is characterized by resistance, losing hope, and not accepting the situation. We believe that whatever comes up, is what is needed for you to grow and transform. Sometimes it isn’t what we want or hope for, but it is what is necessary.
If you enjoyed this blog, check out these blogs as well!:
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In this blog post, discover how adopting a "surfing the waves" mindset can help you navigate challenging ketamine experiences and life's ups and downs. Plus learn how a holistic approach to ketamine therapy can support you in embracing this powerful shift in perspective.
5 Insights On Handling Difficult Emotions That Are Holding Us Back
Learn 5 insights about your feelings that Dr. Ko learned from Constructive Living By David K. Reynolds. We hope these insights help you gain a new perspective about your feelings, which can help you create more empowering mental habits on your journey to self healing.
Going through a ketamine experience can be transforming, but confusing as well. It’s important to be prepared and have the right mindset when going in for your ketamine infusion treatment. In this blog, we’ll talk about some tools that will help you understand your journey better.
