When I began ketamine therapy on January 19th, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Since the War on Drugs began in 1971, there has been an onslaught of fear mongering- especially in regards to psychedelics. As I stated in a previous article, I had only understood ketamine to be a dangerous party drug called Special K. However, when my therapist of several years recommended this form of treatment I was desperate; I also trust him implicitly.
The process for my particular treatment went like this: I had an in-person appointment with Aja to determine whether or not I was psychologically fit for ketamine treatment. However, if you have conditions such as schizophrenia or uncontrolled high blood pressure, it’s advised that you steer clear of ketamine, as it could potentially worsen your condition.
Once Aja determined I was an ideal candidate, I had a medical evaluation with a company called Journey Clinical. I was paired with an NP who conducted an online consultation. She went over my medical history, as well as all medications and supplements I’m on. I was told to wean off the SAM-e, and to avoid Benadryl (it can contribute to dizziness) the night before my ketamine session. It’s also recommended that you refrain from eating four hours prior, and refrain from water one hour prior to treatment, so as to avoid nausea. Once the NP concluded I could proceed, she called in a prescription to a compound pharmacy in New York for enough ketamine lozenges to get me through two sessions. The reason for this is so I could increase my dosage if necessary- which ended up being the case for me.
Because ketamine is a controlled substance, someone 21 yrs. old and up must sign for it to be delivered via Fed-Ex. Fortunately for me, my roommate has been able/willing to sign on my behalf; I always seemed to have appointments/obligations during the delivery time.
My first three hour session was very uplifting. Unlike psilocybin, which can last for several hours, ketamine therapy hits rather quickly and the psychedelic effect fades rather quickly as well. A three hour, supervised session is often recommended.
Aja had decorated a room specifically for her psychedelic treatment sessions. I grew to really appreciate the large, comfy couch with the super soft blankets and furry pillows. The salt lamps and candles were a charming touch, in addition to the subtle, calming music that played in the background. But these things weren’t just for pleasantries, they were/are instrumental, because feeling calm, safe, and peaceful is essential to the overall experience; widely referred to in psychedelic communities as set and setting. Set is the mindset/intention of the person receiving the medicine, and setting is the surroundings in which the healing practice is taking place.
Because Aja is certified in ketamine and psilocybin therapy, she has also experienced their effects first- hand as part of her training. In addition, Aja shared that the reason she became so passionate about psychedelics is because ketamine therapy changed her for the better, lifting her out of a dark and debilitating point in her life. Therefore, she knew quite well what it felt like to be on the receiving end of this type of therapy. I greatly appreciated her transparency. I consider myself to be a professional patient because I’ve sought help for mental wellness for over 25 years now, and anytime a therapist is willing to share personal details about themselves, it builds trust for me. It also changes the power dynamic because it’s no longer the lowly patient full of problems being guided by the all-knowing, healer on a pedestal. By the therapist opening up, the dynamic (at least for me) becomes two equals (with different skill sets and expertise) teaming up against the issues plaguing the patient. This aids both the therapist and the patient exponentially, in my opinion.
Prior to starting treatment and at the end of each session, it was protocol for Aja to monitor my blood pressure, as ketamine has the potential to raise it.
I should note that the lozenge says mint on the packaging, but the actual taste is far less pleasant; like if mint and vomit had a baby. I went the conservative route and took one initial 150 mg lozenge as opposed to both. Given I’d never done ketamine before, I was afraid of getting dizzy – a potential side effect. After ten minutes of swishing, I spit out the remainder in a cup and lay back whilst affixing my sleep mask to let this healing agent work its magic. Not only did I not get dizzy, I opted for the 100mg booster lozenge about 35 minutes later.
The best way I could describe my experience was a state of euphoria. There were colorful, geometrical patterns that seemed to fold into one another. I was a ball of energy riding on the outskirts of these patterns, as if it were the psychedelic version of the California coast. I was always in motion- a theme that would continue for future visits.
Aja checked in periodically while sitting on the seat across from me, and because I got very chatty, I spent a good portion of those three hours prattling incessantly about myself. Apparently some people react this way, whereas others just remain silent- it’s important to note, there is no right or wrong way to respond.
To me, my first ketamine session seemed like the closest thing to the afterlife that one could experience here on earth; therefore, to call that appointment a success would be putting it mildly. However, the second visit would be in stark contrast to the first- and it would have me questioning everything.