Ketamine treatment without therapy accompanying it is typically referred to as “ketamine infusion therapy” or “ketamine-assisted treatment.” It is important to note that while ketamine infusion therapy can provide symptom relief, it may not address underlying issues, psychological challenges, or provide long-term solutions without the integration of therapy or other supportive interventions.

Psychedelic-assisted Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that combines elements of EMDR therapy with the controlled use of psychedelic substances. EMDR is a well-established psychotherapy technique used to help individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce associated distress.

Psychedelic journeys can be incredibly powerful tools for working through emotional distress. By taking a psychedelic, a person enters an altered state of consciousness where they can explore their inner psyche in ways that are not possible with traditional therapies or talk therapy.

Psilocybin has a long and storied history as an entheogen, or drug used for spiritual purposes. In modern times, research is beginning to reveal that ingesting small doses of psilocybin can have positive effects on mental health issues like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addiction.

Ketamine works by activating opioid receptors in the brain that bind to natural painkillers like endorphins. This binding helps to reduce levels of stress and anxiety, allowing a person to move past traumatic events without feeling overwhelmed.

Mushroom psychedelics have a long and varied history of use by humans. Evidence of mushroom consumption dates back over 10,000 years, with some accounts indicating that the ancient Egyptians even used them in their rituals and beliefs systems. Some evidence suggests that mushroom use was also prevalent among many other cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Recent studies have suggested that MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) may be an effective treatment for mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The drug has been shown to reduce fear responses in patients with these conditions, allowing them to revisit difficult memories more easily and to process them in a more productive way. In addition, MDMA also appears to increase the levels of neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and well-being, providing additional relief from distressing symptoms.

When you feel ready to embark on Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, the options for a therapist to bring along on your journey may feel daunting.  For Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, it is critical that you have a clinician that inspires a feeling of calm and safety.  

After six sessions of Ketamine, my process is, for now, complete. I see myself being less emotional, less reactive, and less compulsive in every realm of my life. I find that obsessions don’t circulate for more than a beat, and intrusive thoughts are far less common. The reduction in anxiety is palpable. If anxiety and OCD have robbed me of anything in my lifetime, it is this present-moment peace. Previously my brain would cycle back to anxiety like fuel. I feel like Ketamine has reset my brain to allow contentment to be the default.

“It’s my fault” is a form of compulsive mental self-harm.   I needed to unlock externalized anger and re-channel that energy outward when the world merited it.  I needed to feel into this anger, and release it.  

This last journey also showed me that I continue to experience resistance to succumbing to the effects of the medicine – even at a higher dosage. I recognize that this is related to my OCD. I fear letting go, ceding control, and opening myself up to new sensations. Every time I do a Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy session I get slightly more habituated to this experience – however, for me, as with many with OCD, overcoming a fear can be a slow road. Overall, regardless of any particular Ketamine experience, after four sessions, my overall wellbeing is notably improved. Most interestingly, my inner critic has been completely silenced. It is a strange experience to make mistakes and not hear my OCD voice chime in afterwards. I feel oddly removed from my faults and omissions – observant but emotionally unaffected.

Equanimous is most narrowly defined as being calm, collected, and able to integrate life’s ups and downs in an emotionally stable way. For those of us with ADHD, Anxiety, and OCD, our reactivity to triggers can lead to distress for ourselves and others. While we may desire to be equanimous as much as the next person, our natural state of interactivity with the world is simply the opposite. A ketamine experience, especially at a lower dose than may be administered for a psychedelic journey, can lead to a lasting steadiness of the mind. The ketamine experience and the following calm can reinforce the recipient’s equanimity.

For those with anxiety, our prefrontal cortex can be a hamster wheel of thoughts, worries, hopes, goals, fears, and feelings. Even in a dreaming state, we are processing thoughts, emotions, and memories. With ketamine, such an overloaded brain can get the opportunity for a break. After this type of Ketamine trip, clients report that they feel more at ease, and like everything matters just a bit less. Emotions are less raw, and the heart is open.

As important, or potentially more important, than the Ketamine experience itself is the post-session integration.  While therapeutic Ketamine treatments build in a talk therapy session immediately after the effects wear off, moments of integration can happen for a significant time period after treatment.  You are especially receptive and heart-open in the 48 hours following a session.