In recent years, Ketamine has emerged as a powerful tool in the treatment of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks or even months to show results, Ketamine often brings relief within hours. But what exactly does the emotional journey of Ketamine therapy feel like?
The Onset: A Gentle Dissociation
When you first receive Ketamine, either through an IV infusion, intramuscular injection, nasal spray or absorbed under the tongue (sublingual), the effects begin to take hold within minutes. Many people describe the initial sensation as a gentle dissociation from their surroundings and their usual thoughts and feelings. This dissociation can feel like a detachment from everyday worries and stresses, offering a sense of distance from the emotional pain that may have been weighing them down.
At Marriage Couples Counseling, Andre Moore, LMFT offers Ketamine Assisted Therapy via nasal spray or absorbed under the tongue (sublingual).
Here is what you’ll experience while you’re taking Ketamine:
Deep Relaxation and Peace
As the your experience deepens, you will feel a profound sense of relaxation and a deep mental emotional calm. Your mind will become more open and less rigid, allowing new perspectives to emerge. You may feel an tremendous sense of peace, as if you’ve been freed from the relentless grip of negative thoughts and emotions.
Heightened Emotional Awareness
Ketamine can also heighten your emotional awareness, bringing buried feelings to the surface. For some people, this can be an intense experience, as they confront emotions they may have been avoiding for most of their lives. This heightened awareness can also be profoundly therapeutic. By facing these emotions in a safe and controlled environment, you can begin to process and integrate them in a healthy way.
Vivid Imagery and Insights
Another common aspect of the Ketamine experience is the emergence of vivid imagery and deep insights. Some people report dream-like visions or a sensation of journeying through their subconscious mind. These visions can be symbolic, offering meaningful insights into the emotional and psychological landscape of your life and to powerful realizations and a deeper understanding of yourself.
The Return: Gradual Reconnection
As the effects of Ketamine begin to wear off, you will gradually reconnect with your surroundings and everyday consciousness. This transition can be gentle, leaving you with a lingering sense of calm and clarity. Many people describe feeling lighter, as if a heavy burden has been lifted. These insights gained during the session will continue to resonate and provide a foundation for ongoing therapeutic work with a Ketamine Assisted Therapist in the days and weeks when you’re off the medicine.
Integration: The Key to Lasting Change
The emotional experience of Ketamine doesn’t end when you’re off the medicine. Integration with a caring, compassionate Ketamine Assisted Therapist like Andre Moore, LMFT, certified by the Integrative Psychiatry Insitute, with whom you’ve established a Therapeutic Alliance well before you’ve taken the medicine is a crucial part of healing. Integration sessions with Andre will involve reflecting on the insights and emotions that emerged while you were on the medicine and finding ways to incorporate these emotions and insights into your daily life. Working with a Andre will be invaluable in this process, helping you to translate the profound experiences of the Ketamine sessions into meaningful and lasting change in your life.
The emotional journey of Ketamine Therapy is deeply personal and can vary widely from one person to another. However, the common threads of relaxation, heightened awareness, vivid insights, and emotional release make it a unique and powerful therapeutic tool. By understanding and embracing your unique emotional landscape, you can unlock new pathways to healing and personal growth.
If you’re considering Ketamine therapy or want to learn more about how it might help you, feel free to call Andre Moore, LMFT at 212 673 4618 or email me at andremoore@mindspring.com. I’m here to support you every step of the way on your journey to wellness.
