The Dos and Don’ts of Ketamine Therapy for Mental Health and Substance Use
Ketamine therapy, also known as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), is gaining recognition as a groundbreaking treatment for mental health and substance use challenges. It offers hope to individuals who have not found relief with traditional therapies. If you're considering ketamine therapy, it’s essential to understand the best practices and potential pitfalls to ensure a safe and effective experience. This (unofficial) guide provides insights for those exploring ketamine treatment, with a specific focus on sublingual (oral) ketamine treatment facilitated by a therapist or counselor.
The Dos of Ketamine Therapy
1. Do Research Your Provider and Communicate Clearly
Ketamine therapy often involves a care team that includes:
Prescriber (Doctor or Nurse Practitioner): This medical professional evaluates your eligibility and prescribes ketamine. While some prescribers may sit for ketamine administration, this article specifically focuses on sublingual ketamine treatment facilitated by a therapist or counselor.
Therapist (Licensed Counselor or Psychologist): Your therapist is crucial for treatment planning, sitting with you during ketamine sessions, and guiding post-session integration work.
Other Providers: These might include holistic practitioners or other medical professionals involved in your care such as a Primary Care Provider (PCP) or acupuncturist.
Look for a therapist with ketamine-specific training, ongoing consultation, and regular supervision. Transparency is equally important—share your full medical history, current medications, and patterns of substance use with your care team. Open communication builds trust and ensures a safe and tailored treatment plan.
Why It Matters: Collaboration between professionals maximizes therapeutic outcomes, while clear communication ensures that your care team has all the necessary information to support your healing journey.
Source: American Psychiatric Association (APA)
2. Do Set Clear Intentions and Expectations
Setting clear intentions without creating rigid expectations is key to a productive ketamine therapy session. An intention provides focus, helping you approach the session with purpose, while avoiding specific outcomes fosters openness to the process.
To set an intention:
Reflect on what you hope to explore, such as gaining insight into your substance use or processing unresolved trauma.
Phrase your intention in an open-ended way, such as, “I want to better understand the emotions underlying my anxiety,” rather than, “I expect to feel completely cured.”
This balance encourages curiosity and allows for the unexpected discoveries that are often the most transformative aspects of ketamine therapy.
Additional considerations include maintaining a reflective mindset before the session and allowing flexibility in what might surface emotionally or cognitively.
Why It Matters: Flexibility enables deeper insights and supports long-term healing.
3. Do Prioritize Integration
Integration involves processing the insights and emotions from your ketamine session and applying them to your daily life. This step is especially critical for individuals addressing substance use, as it reinforces new coping mechanisms and behavioral changes.
Techniques for Effective Integration:
Therapeutic Integration Sessions: Work with your therapist to reflect on your experiences and discuss actionable steps. These sessions can include exploring emotions, uncovering patterns, and identifying areas for personal growth.
Journaling: Writing about your session can help you clarify thoughts and preserve key insights. Journaling prompts like “What did I learn about myself during the session?” or “What changes do I want to make in my life?” can guide reflection.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindful breathing, body scans, or guided meditations can help you connect with the emotions and insights from your session while staying grounded.
Art or Creative Expression: Drawing, painting, or other creative outlets can provide a nonverbal way to process and integrate the session’s experiences.
Physical Activity: Activities like yoga, walking, or other gentle movements can help your body process the emotional and cognitive shifts that occur during ketamine therapy.
Support Groups: Joining a group of individuals who have undergone similar treatments can provide a sense of community and shared understanding. Hearing others’ experiences can also offer new perspectives on your own journey.
Daily Practices: Incorporating small, meaningful changes in your daily routine, such as practicing gratitude or setting daily affirmations, can reinforce the shifts experienced during therapy.
Dedicated Reflection Time: Allocate specific moments in your day to sit with and revisit the emotions or realizations from the session, fostering deeper connection to the therapy's outcomes.
Why It Matters: Integration ensures that the breakthroughs achieved during therapy translate into meaningful, lasting change. It bridges the gap between the therapeutic experience and practical improvements in your life.
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
4. Do Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle enhances the benefits of ketamine therapy. Consider the following:
Food: Prioritize balanced meals rich in nutrients to support brain health. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and complex carbohydrates can be particularly beneficial.
Exercise: Regular physical activity reduces stress and promotes overall well-being. Activities like aerobic exercise or strength training can also boost neuroplasticity.
Sleep: Establish consistent sleep patterns to give your body and mind time to recover. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and minimize exposure to screens before bedtime.
Substance Use: Avoid alcohol, THC, and other substances for at least 24-48 hours before and 72 hours after your ketamine session. These substances can interfere with ketamine’s effects and diminish its therapeutic benefits.
Hydration: Staying well-hydrated supports overall bodily functions and can mitigate potential side effects like headaches or fatigue.
Why It Matters: Your body and mind need a clear foundation to fully benefit from ketamine therapy. A comprehensive lifestyle approach amplifies the positive effects of treatment.
The Don’ts of Ketamine Therapy
1. Don’t Skip Pre-Treatment Evaluations
Your prescriber should conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate for you. This is especially crucial if you have:
Heart conditions, such as uncontrolled hypertension.
Patterns of substance use that could complicate treatment.
Skipping this step increases the risk of complications and may reduce the effectiveness of the therapy. The evaluation also helps tailor the treatment plan to your specific needs, ensuring a safe and effective experience.
Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
2. Don’t Use Ketamine as a Standalone Treatment
While ketamine can provide rapid relief, it works best when combined with other therapeutic approaches. For those addressing substance use, pairing ketamine with counseling or group support strengthens long-term recovery.
Integrating additional modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or trauma-focused therapy, can deepen the benefits of ketamine treatment and provide a broader framework for healing.
Why It Matters: A comprehensive treatment plan maximizes the potential for lasting change.
3. Don’t Self-Medicate
Using ketamine without professional guidance is dangerous. Always consult your care team before starting treatment, and avoid self-administering ketamine or receiving it from untrained individuals.
Self-medication not only increases the risk of adverse effects but can also lead to dependency or inappropriate use that diminishes therapeutic potential. Safety planning and monitoring by professionals ensure a structured and effective approach.
Why It Matters: Professional supervision ensures safety and effectiveness, reducing the risk of misuse.
4. Don’t Ignore Post-Treatment Care
Post-treatment care is a critical part of the healing process. Attend your scheduled integration sessions to unpack your experiences, process emotions, and develop actionable steps for your everyday life.
Neglecting this phase can result in missed opportunities for applying session insights to meaningful change. Post-treatment care solidifies the therapeutic breakthroughs and fosters sustainable personal growth.
Why It Matters: Integration bridges the gap between therapeutic breakthroughs and meaningful change.
Final Thoughts
Ketamine therapy offers a transformative opportunity for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. By following these dos and don’ts, you can navigate this innovative treatment with confidence and maximize its potential benefits.
If you’re curious about ketamine therapy or want to explore whether it’s right for you, connect with a licensed provider and therapist to start your journey.
Sources Cited:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): www.nimh.nih.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): www.drugabuse.gov
American Psychiatric Association (APA): www.psychiatry.org
Food and Drug Administration (FDA):www.fda.gov
