The Importance Of Psychedelic Experiences During Ketamine Infusions

Why Do Some Doctors Minimize The Psychedelic Effects Of Ketamine?

One of the interesting things about ketamine is how differently each ketamine clinic provides their treatments. There are some doctors who believe that having dissociation effects are detrimental or they don’t know how to handle or address them. Accordingly, they will pre-treat the patient with benzodiazepines such as midazolam (Versed) or lorazepam (Ativan) to help prevent the psychotropic effects. Sometimes using benzodiazepines during or after the ketamine treatment is appropriate, especially if that patient has severe anxiety or panicky feelings. However, we believe that a ketamine induced non-ordinary state of consciousness can potentially be incredibly powerful and therapeutic.

Why It’s Worth Having A Psychedelic Ketamine Experience

There is a difference between recreational ketamine and therapeutic use of ketamine. In either situation you can have a non-ordinary state of consciousness. But the intention of using the ketamine is a key differentiator. With recreational ketamine the use is usually for escapism or to enhance an external experience (i.e. its club drug reputation). In a therapeutic ketamine infusion setting, one comes in with the goal of healing, growing, and learning. During the infusion you can explore the unconscious mind, experience connection to those and the world around you, and for some have a spiritual experience. The experience had can then catalyze change and begin a journey of healing.

Learn more about what a ketamine infusion experiences is like at our blog.

Better Response With A Dissociative Psychedelic Effect

Having these experiences can be healing in a safe, supportive environment, almost like a reverse of a traumatic experience. But is there any science to support this? In a study by Lukenbaugh et al, the data from 108 patients with treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder who received a single subanesthetic ketamine infusion were analyzed. The results showed that participants had a more robust and sustained antidepressant effect when they experienced dissociation during the ketamine infusion compared to those who did not (1). However, of note, if you do further research there are people who can still respond well without the dissociative experience.

Open To The Psychedelic Experience But Not Sure About It

We encourage you to keep an open mind about the therapeutic benefit of psychedelic experiences, especially when done with intention (like when utilizing the concept of set and setting). Sure sometimes the experience can be challenging and even scary, but it can be healing when receiving this treatment from a team who understands and is there to support you during the experience. There is a growing body of research showing the power and efficacy of psychedelic experiences in the treatment of mood and pain disorders, and we’re grateful that ketamine is a part of it.

Reference: 

(1) Luckenbaugh DA, Niciu MJ, Ionescu DF, et al. Do the dissociative side effects of ketamine mediate its antidepressant effects? Journal of affective disorders. 2014;159:56-61. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.02.017.

---

CONTACT RESET KETAMINE

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY, PTSD, DEPRESSION, OCD, MIGRAINES, FIBROMYALGIA, OR CHRONIC PAIN, PLEASE CONTACT US NOW FOR A CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU WOULD BE AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR KETAMINE INFUSIONS. 

SERVING PALM SPRINGS, PALM DESERT, RANCHO MIRAGE, CATHEDRAL CITY, JOSHUA TREE, 29 PALMS, IDYLLWILD, REDLANDS, LOMA LINDA, BEAUMONT, BANNING, ONTARIO, RIVERSIDE, LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY, SAN DIEGO, HOLLYWOOD, LONG BEACH, SANTA MONICA, AND ALL OF CALIFORNIA.

---