Synopsis: Whether you're a local, a seasonal resident, or traveling for treatment, this guide covers everything you need to know—from how ketamine therapy works to preparation, aftercare, and integration. Get practical tips for a smooth experience and make the most of your healing journey in beautiful Palm Springs
Ketamine Treatments in Palm Springs
Are you considering exploring ketamine therapy for your depression or chronic pain in Palm Springs, California? Whether you’re a local, snowbird, or traveling to combine a getaway with this transformational treatment, we’re going to cover everything you need to know before you have your first infusion!
Palm Springs has a long history of being a place to get away from it all. A place where you enjoy some fun in the sun, perhaps poolside or on the golf course. But lately, it has become a destination for rejuvenation, wellness, and—dare we say—a reset!
Palm Spring attracts jet-setters and has an international airport that’s an absolute joy to fly into. People all over the world come to this city for the beautiful desert and even the heat. Having been here since 2018, we’ve had the pleasure and honor of not only serving our local community but also those from across the US and around the world.
If you’ve landed on this blog page, you are in the right place! We’re here to walk you through everything you need to know before your first ketamine infusion in sunny Palm Springs.
Navigating This Blog:
This guide is packed with valuable insights on getting ketamine therapy in beautiful Palm Springs! Whether you're short on time or looking for specific information, you can click any of the links below to jump to a section—or simply scroll through and read at your own pace.
Find What You Need:
Preparing for Your First Ketamine Infusion: Mental & Mindful Preparation
Traveling to Palm Springs California for Ketamine Therapy: What You Need to Know
Ketamine works on multiple levels—biological, psychological, functional, and spiritual—offering a unique path to healing for those struggling with mental health and chronic pain.
How Ketamine Infusion Therapy Works: An Overview
There is a lot of confusion around ketamine therapy in particular, especially in regards to how it works. While ketamine has a colorful history, it is gaining recognition as a powerful tool in interventional mental health treatments and chronic pain management. Ketamine therapy is unique because it works on four levels: biological, psychological, functional, and spiritual.
Here is a quick synopsis of the four ways ketamine works:
Biological mechanism: Ketamine promotes neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) and strengthens neural connections through Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Think of it as fertilizer for the brain.
Psychological mechanism: During ketamine therapy, patients often access their subconscious, allowing them to explore and release suppressed emotions, memories, and experiences
Functional mechanism: Ketamine has been observed to reduce activity in the Default Mode Network (DMN)—the part of the brain associated with ego, self-referential thinking, and repetitive thought patterns. By disrupting this network, ketamine can help create new mental pathways and break cycles of negative thinking.
Spiritual mechanism: Some patients report profound, out-of-body, or transcendent experiences during treatment; sometimes described as near-death-like. While the spiritual aspect of ketamine therapy is not fully understood, patient observations and a growing body of research suggest these experiences may contribute to deep emotional healing and symptom relief.
Prefer a more scientific understanding of how ketamine therapy works for depression? Check out our 3 Must Read Scientific Articles About Depression and Ketamine blog.
Preparing for Your First Ketamine Infusion: Mental & Mindful Preparation
Preparing for ketamine therapy is like preparing the soil before planting a garden; intentional preparation leads to better growth. Just like pulling weeds to make room for new growth, mental preparation helps create a fertile environment for healing.
So, how can you best prepare for your infusion? Before your treatment, we recommend mindfulness practices like meditation and journaling to encourage self-reflection and clear mental clutter. We also recommend avoiding alcohol, marijuana, and other substances that could interfere with your experience. In addition, limiting exposure to violent media and distancing yourself from negativity can help create a more supportive mindset for healing.
We’re all about preparation both mentally and emotionally, but also logistically! If you’re the same way, check out these two blogs: Before Ketamine Therapy: What To Do & What To Expect & 10 Questions You Should Ask Before Getting A Ketamine Treatment
Whether you're a local, a seasonal visitor, or commuting in for treatment, knowing what to expect can help you make the most of your healing journey in the desert.
Traveling to Palm Springs California for Ketamine Therapy: What You Need to Know
In this section, we cover everything you need to know - whether you're a local, a visitor/snowbird, or commuting to Palm Springs for your ketamine treatments
For Locals in Palm Springs:
We love our locals! Palm Springs is home to a vibrant, inclusive community that embraces new ideas and innovative approaches to wellness. We’re honored to be part of it.
If you live in Palm Springs, your treatment plan may look different from that of visitors, snowbirds, or commuters traveling to the desert for therapy. We follow an evidence-based protocol of six infusions over 2-3 weeks. However, as a local balancing treatments with work and daily life, your scheduling could be tailored to fit your needs. For those who are undergoing ketamine therapy for chronic pain conditions, the number of sessions and duration of treatments will be different compared to depression treatments.
Some other special considerations for residents of Palm Springs undergoing ketamine therapy:
If possible, consider clearing your schedule for a few days during treatment to allow for rest and reflection.
Avoid work calls, meetings, or large social gatherings immediately after your infusion and even possibly the next day, as you may feel fatigued for up to 48 hours.
Ask a trusted friend or family member to provide you with a ride to and from the clinic as you will not be allowed to drive yourself home.
Make time for integration with either an integration specialist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or another trusted mental health professional to support further healing in between treatments.
For Visitors to Palm Springs & Second-Home Owners (snowbirds)
We also want to extend our appreciation to those vacationing in Palm Springs or calling the Coachella Valley their second home. If you're staying for the fall and winter months (a few weeks to several months), be sure to check out the ‘For Locals’ section above, as it may apply to you too!
But if you are staying a short time visiting, you’ll want to keep in mind the following to make sure your trip and treatments run smoothly:
Our screening process ensures that you are both medically and emotionally a good fit for ketamine therapy. If you arrive in Palm Springs and decide that same day to book a treatment, we will not be able to accommodate you.
Please check out What To Expect: From Initial Contact To Getting Your Treatment to further explore our process. Bottom line: call us as soon as you decide to visit Palm Springs. Don’t wait!
Plan for multiple sessions. If this will be your first time receiving ketamine therapy, the standard initiation series includes six treatments over 2–3 weeks. Therefore, be sure to book your accommodations accordingly.
If you're an experienced ketamine therapy patient looking for a booster treatment while in town, the same screening process applies. Call us before your trip so we can review your records and schedule your session.
Choose lodging near our clinic in Palm Springs' Uptown Design District, which is also located near Desert Regional Hospital. If you’re looking for particular recommendations, check out our “For Out of Towners” page.
Arrange your post-infusion transportation prior to the treatment. Since you won’t be able to drive yourself, arrange for a travel companion to take you back to your lodging. If you're traveling alone, you may need to use a taxi or rideshare service like Lyft or Uber.
Set aside time for relaxation and integration. Many patients use their time in Palm Springs as a wellness retreat, incorporating yoga, spa treatments, meditation, or hiking into their healing journey. You may also want to arrange a virtual or phone session with your mental health care provider or an integration specialist as well.
For Those Commuting to Palm Springs for Treatments
If you’re commuting from San Diego, Loma Linda, Redlands, or even Los Angeles for your ketamine treatments, we applaud you for braving the traffic! As a commuter, you're not quite a local, but you're not a visitor either. That means there are a few special considerations for you, many of which unsurprisingly involve driving.
Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley host major events year-round, including conventions and festivals like Coachella Music & Arts Festival. These events bring in large crowds, which means more traffic and increased hotel prices. If you're commuting for a treatment—especially on weekends or after work—plan accordingly to avoid delays
Heavy rain in Palm Springs is rare. But when it happens, flooding is common. Highway 111 and several exits along I-10 are often affected, which could easily add 30 minutes to an hour to your usual travel time. Check your GPS before heading out or call our office for up-to-date road conditions. You can always call our office too for further guidance.
If there is heavy rain in Palm Springs—which is rare—there is a good chance we will be experiencing flooding. Highway 111 and several exits from the 10 freeway can be affected, which could easily add 30 minutes to an hour to getting to our clinic to your usual travel time. So please check your map app or call our office for further guidance.
Since you're commuting, you'll need a designated driver. Choose someone to bring you home safely after your infusion. You may even want them to drive you into Palm Springs as well since the stress of navigating traffic could impact your treatment experience.
From arrival to recovery, every step of your ketamine infusion is carefully guided and monitored to ensure safety, comfort, and the best possible treatment outcome.
What to Expect During the Infusion
When you arrive at the clinic, the first step is filling out some quick assessments tailored to your treatment. Depending on your medical condition, you may complete forms like the PHQ-9 for depression or GAD-7 for anxiety to help us track your progress. These assessments help us provide measurement-based care. This means we track your progress and adjust treatment as needed to ensure the best outcome
Next, we’ll take your weight, as it is part of calculating your personalized ketamine dose. After that, you’ll be guided to the infusion room, where we’ll monitor your vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure, to ensure your safety throughout the process
An IV is placed in your arm or hand. The infusion takes around 40 minutes. During this time, you may experience a wide range of emotions, such as joy, sadness, or even fear. This is normal, and we encourage you to allow these feelings to flow and observe without judgment.
Deep breathing is a helpful tool to regulate your nervous system during the infusion experience. Once the infusion ends, the effects gradually fade within minutes.
Your recovery time is based on your dose and unique response. After the infusion, we prioritize time for you to process your experience by sharing any insights, thoughts, or emotions that came up during the infusion.
Want to know more about what to expect during the ketamine infusion? Check out our During Ketamine Therapy: What To Do & What To Expect blog
Aftercare: What To Do After The Ketamine Infusion
Once you’ve had time to recover, you’ll leave the clinic and head home. Since it’s unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery after treatment, you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to take you home.
For most patients, the immediate effects fade within minutes to a few hours. Whether at home or your home away from home, we strongly recommend taking it easy for the rest of the day. This time is for gentle, calm recovery.
You may have had an emotionally profound experience during the treatment, leaving you feeling vulnerable or fatigued. If this is the case, prioritize rest and avoid highly stimulating or emotionally charged environments. We invite you to engage in restorative activities like listening to music, taking a warm bath, or even getting a relaxing massage.
On the other hand, you may feel rejuvenated after treatment and may want to be more active. If so, consider spending time in nature, going for a gentle walk, or journaling your thoughts and reflections as part of your integration process.
Not A Time For Major Decisions
While you may feel inspired after your infusion, we strongly advise against making major life decisions, such as signing contracts, quitting your job, or making big purchases. We also recommend limiting phone calls and texting immediately after.
Why? Because this is a time of deep reflection. While you may feel great, your mind is still processing the experience. Give yourself time to ground and integrate before making any big changes.
Ketamine therapy opens the door to new perspectives, but integration is where real transformation happens. Small, intentional changes can help turn insights into meaningful, lasting growth.
Integration of The Ketamine Infusion
In the previous section, we mentioned “integration,” but what does that really mean? Simply put, integration is the process of reflecting on and applying the insights and lessons from your ketamine infusion to your daily life.
As you reflect on your ketamine experience, take an inventory of your experience. Consider the small, meaningful changes you can make in your daily life. Even the tiniest shifts can ultimately take your life in a new and better direction.
You may have experienced profound ‘downloads’ or insights during your infusion. But without acting on them, their impact may be limited. Integration is what turns these insights into real, lasting change. While many people experience profound benefits from ketamine therapy alone, true healing often requires addressing the root causes of daily struggles—unhealthy habits, toxic relationships, and limiting beliefs.
Addressing these lifestyle, social, and psychological factors via integrative actions can really move the needle.
So what does integration actually look like? Here are a few simple but powerful ways to incorporate your insights into daily life:
Start a daily meditation or mindfulness practice.
Set healthy boundaries by limiting time with unsupportive people.
Restart therapy or explore cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Listen to an audiobook on personal growth (like setting boundaries).
Take a 10-minute walk at lunch to clear your mind.
Journal your thoughts and insights after treatment.
Engage in gentle movement like yoga or stretching.
Of note, not every ketamine experience feels light or joyful. Some sessions may bring up challenging emotions or memories. If you find yourself struggling to make sense of your experience, you're not alone.
If a session leaves you feeling unsettled, speaking with a trusted mental health professional or integration coach can help process the experience.
Whether you have a joyous or challenging experience, planning for post-treatment support is key. If possible, schedule a session with a therapist or integration specialist within a day or two of your infusion. And if you’re traveling, remember—virtual sessions are always an option.
Curious to explore this concept of integration? Read our How Ketamine Therapy Works: Importance Of Integration blog.
Scheduling Your Ketamine Infusion in Palm Springs
Whether you're a local, a seasonal resident, or visiting to experience the beauty of Palm Springs while seeking treatment, we're here to support your healing journey.
Considering ketamine therapy in Palm Springs? Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about how our treatments can support your well-being.
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