Contact Mind Body Centers today for a FREE CONSULTATION by clicking here or calling 1-855-481-9605.

Ketamine infusion therapy has become a groundbreaking treatment for people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and/or Chronic Pain. This innovative approach offers rapid relief for many patients, but to get the most out of your treatments, proper preparation and aftercare are essential. Small, intentional choices can significantly impact the effectiveness of your sessions, leading to better outcomes and long-term healing.

In this Ultimate Ketamine Therapy Guide, we’ll share 20 ways to get the most out of your treatment sessions.

Before The Session

1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep Before Your Session

One of the best ways to prepare your mind and body for ketamine therapy is by getting adequate sleep the night before your treatment. Sleep plays a vital role in cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. When well-rested, your brain is better equipped to process the ketamine experience, allowing for a smoother and more insightful session.

Tips for Better Sleep Before Treatment:

• • Establish a relaxing nighttime routine, such as taking a warm bath or drinking herbal tea.
  • Avoid screens (phones, tablets, TVs) at least an hour before bed, as blue light can interfere with melatonin production.
  • Practice deep breathing or meditation to calm your nervous system before sleep.
  • Try to go to bed at a consistent time and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep to ensure you wake up feeling refreshed.

2. Be Mindful of What Media You Consume Before and After Treatment

The information and entertainment we absorb through TV, movies, music, and social media can significantly affect our mental state. Since ketamine infusion therapy is a deeply introspective experience, your emotional and psychological baseline going into treatment matters.

What to Avoid:

• • Distressing news stories or violent media that may cause anxiety.
  • High-energy or chaotic social media feeds.
  • Negative conversations or conflicts that could cloud your mind.

What to Choose Instead:

• • Calming music or nature sounds.
  • Positive and uplifting books or podcasts.
  • Meditative or inspirational content that fosters relaxation.

By curating a peaceful and positive media environment before and after treatment, you can enter your session with a clear and focused mindset.

3. Avoid Stressful Situations Pre-Treatment (When Possible)

When possible, try not to schedule your treatment the day of (or day after) a highly stressful work presentation or similarly stressful event. Additionally, if you find yourself likely to get into an argument with a family member, roommate, or significant other the day before (or day of treatment), explore whether the conversation would be more productive a couple days after treatment. Not only will your treatment session likely go smoother, but it is probable that you will be more relaxed and less emotionally reactive when you have the conversation.

Avoiding unnecessary high-stress situations before ketamine infusion treatment is important because stress can increase cortisol levels, making it harder for your mind and body to fully relax during the session. When you’re anxious or overwhelmed before treatment, you may carry that tension into the experience, which can lead to a more challenging or distracting session. A calm and centered mindset allows ketamine to work more effectively, helping you access deeper emotional healing and mental clarity. By reducing stress beforehand, you set yourself up for a smoother, more positive, and therapeutic journey during treatment.

By scheduling the stressful situation a couple days after your session, you are more likely to have a successful and productive outcome. You may find yourself more relaxed and comfortable in your work situation. You may also find that thinking clearly and creating successful solutions to difficult problems comes more easily after a treatment session.

4. Don’t Eat Within 6 Hours Before Treatment if Possible

Since ketamine can sometimes cause nausea, it’s important to eat a meal ahead of time that is nutritious but not too heavy.

Best Foods to Eat Before Ketamine Treatment:

• • Protein-rich foods (eggs, yogurt, lean meats) to help stabilize blood sugar.
  • Complex carbohydrates (oatmeal, whole grain toast) for steady energy.
  • Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, seeds) to promote brain health. Eat these healthy fats in moderation because excess fats can cause stomach irritation.

Foods to Avoid:

• • Greasy or fried foods that may upset your stomach.
  • Heavy dairy that could increase mucus production and discomfort.
  • Sugary snacks that cause blood sugar spikes and crashes.

*If you get acid reflux or upset stomach due to an empty stomach, you can have a small light snack 3+ hours prior to treatment. An example of a light snack would be 1-2 pieces of toast, a granola bar, or a single serving of yogurt.*

Continuing healthy eating behaviors after treatment can also have a beneficial effect on your overall treatment. Healthy foods allow your brain to process the journey better than junk foods.

5. Stay Hydrated, but Avoid Drinking Too Much Right Before

Dehydration can lead to headaches and fatigue, so it’s essential to stay properly hydrated before your session. However, drinking too much water right before treatment could make you uncomfortable, especially since ketamine infusion therapy often involves a relaxed, still state.

Hydration Tips:

• • Drink water steadily throughout the day before treatment.
  • Avoid caffeinated drinks, as they can contribute to dehydration and anxiety.
  • Avoid drinking water for 2 hours prior to your session.

6. Arrive Early to Avoid Stress from Traffic or Delays

Running late or feeling rushed can create unnecessary stress that lingers into your ketamine session. To ensure a smooth start:

• • Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to allow time to settle in and let your mind relax.
  • Check traffic conditions beforehand so you can anticipate delays.
  • If you experience anxiety about being late, set an alarm or reminder to leave earlier.
  • By arriving in a calm and collected state, you set yourself up for a more effective treatment.

7. Set a General Positive Intention for Your Session

Ketamine infusion therapy is often unpredictable, but having a general positive intention can provide structure and meaning to your experience. Having too specific of an intention or specific expectations can create a less productive session though..

Examples of General Positive Intentions:

• • “I am open to healing and personal growth.”
  • “I release past trauma and welcome peace.”
  • “I embrace self-compassion and understanding.”
  • “I trust the process.”

Examples of Overly Specific Intentions:

• • “I must find the exact root cause of my depression in this session.”
  • “I need to relive and fully resolve a specific past trauma today.”
  • “I have to come out of this session with a clear solution to my biggest life problem.”
  • “I must feel happiness and relief by the end of this session.”

Why Broad, Open Intentions Work Best:

Instead of rigid expectations, try setting a general, positive intention like “I am open to whatever healing I need today” or “I trust the process and allow myself to receive insight and peace.” This allows ketamine to guide you naturally, reducing stress and promoting a more meaningful experience. If you set overly rigid expectations, it may influence you to feel anxious or restless and distract you from the lesson the ketamine is trying to teach you that day.

Many people mistakenly think that the only growth and neuroplasticity occurs during the actual ketamine infusion and may worry that they didn’t approach a specific topic during their session; this is simply not true. Although the effects may feel strongest during the actual infusion, the increased neuroplasticity in your brain will continue even after the session has ended. This is why it is important to be especially aware of your behaviors, influences, and habits for days after your sessions as well.

During The Session

8. Choose Music or Media Thoughtfully During Treatment

Music is an integral part of the ketamine experience, helping to guide emotions and sensations. Using noise-cancelling over-ear headphones are very helpful preferred over in-ear headphones like AirPods because in-ear headphones can get uncomfortable and are easy to fall out during treatment.

Best Music Choices:

• • Ambient or instrumental music  
  • Meditative soundscapes (binaural beats, Tibetan singing bowls, or nature sounds). Some patients have found binaural beats can be beneficial, while others find they create a slightly claustrophobic feeling.
  • Custom-curated playlists with calming and introspective tones.

In general, you want to avoid music with heavy lyrics, intense beats, or erratic changes, as these can be distracting or overwhelming. If you choose to use music with lyrics, make sure it is a song that you know very well and has a generally positive tone. Your aim here is to find music that helps you get into a spa-like relaxed mindset.

It can be beneficial to have a backup playlist or song in case you aren’t feeling your usual go-to playlist or if you start to feel anxious. Having multiple options can help keep your mindset steered in a positive direction.

Mind Body Centers has an entire blog post about Creating the Perfect Ketamine Playlist for you. You can check it out by clicking here.

9. Wear Comfortable Clothes

Your physical comfort can directly impact your ability to relax and engage in the experience. Loose, cozy clothing can enhance your relaxation during the session. When choosing attire for your treatment, you may want to consider the following:

• • Soft, breathable fabrics
  • Clothing that feels tight on your waist or chest can restrict you from taking in a full relaxing breath. you may find shorts or pants with an elastic or drawstring waistband to be preferable for comfort during treatment.
  • Slip-on shoes for convenience before and after treatment.
  • A big, comfortable blanket can be a real game-changer for treatment. Ketamine infusions can sometimes make you feel a little cold, so having a comfortable blanket is a great option. Wearing layers for clothing might be difficult to manage during treatment, but having a blanket that you can easily cuddle up with or push off is a much more relaxing option. To support your healing experience, Mind Body Centers has comfortable blankets available free for patients to use during treatment.

10. Using an Eye Mask for a Deeper Experience

Using an eye mask during ketamine treatment helps eliminate external distractions, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience without visual interruptions. By blocking out light and surroundings, an eye mask encourages deeper introspection, making it easier to focus on emotions, thoughts, and insights that arise during the session. Many patients find that reduced sensory input enhances the therapeutic effects of ketamine, creating a more profound and meditative state. Additionally, since ketamine can cause mild visual distortions, an eye mask can provide a sense of comfort and stability, helping you feel more grounded throughout the journey.

To support a deeper healing experience, Mind Body Centers provides free eye masks for patients to use during treatment, ensuring comfort and focus throughout the session. If you are looking for an extra comfortable and luxurious feeling eye mask, one of our current favorites is the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask from Amazon. It provides extra cushioning for comfort and has does a fantastic job at blocking out light.

After The Session

11. Make Sure Your Ride Home is Calm and Supportive

Since you’ll be in an altered state after treatment, having a peaceful and supportive ride home is essential.

What to Ask of Your Driver:

• • Avoid unnecessarily hard braking or abrupt acceleration.
  • Keep conversation light or silent based on your preference.
  • Play calming music if desired.
  • Avoid stressful interactions, road rage, or detours.
  • Stay away from negative topics, gossip, or controversy.

A quiet, safe, relaxed ride home is your main goal.

12. Plan for a Quiet, Low-Stimulation Rest Period After Treatment

Once you arrive home, give yourself time to process your experience without distractions.

Best Activities for Integration:

• • Journaling about insights or emotions. Be descriptive because this can be helpful to look back on later.
  • Gentle stretching or meditation.
  • Resting in a peaceful environment.
  • Peacefully petting your dog or cat.
  • Being present in the moment.

Avoid social media, work tasks, reality TV, or stressful interactions for at least a few hours, but preferably the rest of the day post-treatment.

13. Get 15-30 Minutes of Sunlight After Your Ketamine Treatment

Why It Matters
Spending time in natural sunlight after a ketamine treatment can help regulate your circadian rhythm, improve mood, and enhance neuroplasticity. Exposure to sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of happiness and well-being. Additionally, natural light helps signal to your brain that it’s time to be awake and alert, which can be especially beneficial if your session leaves you feeling slightly groggy.

Benefits of Sunlight After Ketamine Therapy:

• • Enhances Mood and Energy Levels: Sunlight naturally boosts serotonin and dopamine levels, helping to reinforce the antidepressant effects of ketamine.
  • Supports Brain Function: Sun exposure encourages vitamin D production, which plays a key role in cognitive function and emotional stability.
  • Reduces Grogginess: After a ketamine session, some patients may feel slightly dazed or foggy. Getting fresh air and sunshine can help you feel more grounded and alert.
  • Encourages Gentle Movement: Taking a short walk outside in natural light can aid in physical relaxation, circulation, and emotional processing.

How to Incorporate Sunlight into Your Post-Treatment Routine:

• • Step outside for 15-30 minutes in the hours after your session. A gentle walk in a safe, quiet park or backyard is ideal.
  • If possible and safe, expose your skin to sunlight (e.g., face, arms) to maximize vitamin D absorption.
  • Avoid wearing sunglasses for the first few minutes to allow natural light to reach your eyes*, which helps regulate your body’s natural rhythms.
  • If the weather or environment doesn’t permit outdoor exposure, sitting by a bright window can still provide some benefits.

Sunlight is a simple yet powerful tool for reinforcing the positive effects of ketamine therapy, helping you feel more refreshed, balanced, and emotionally uplifted as you move forward in your healing journey.

14. Practice Gratitude and Positive Affirmations

Acknowledging small improvements and maintaining a grateful mindset can reinforce ketamine’s healing effects. You may have an increased awareness of the role you play in choosing positivity or negativity in small everyday interactions immediately after your treatments. Take these moments to establish the habit of choosing positivity, kindness, and understanding. This will help you going forward to be less reactive to negative stimuli and feel more in control of your emotions.

15. Keep a Journal to Track Your Experiences

Journaling can help you identify patterns, emotional shifts, and long-term progress in your ketamine journey. Journaling provides a safe and private space to process emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally, allowing you to explore your thoughts without judgment. Writing down your experiences can help reinforce positive changes in thinking patterns, making it easier to integrate insights gained during treatment into daily life. It also serves as a helpful reference for tracking your emotional and mental progress over multiple sessions, giving you a clearer picture of how ketamine therapy is impacting you over time. Additionally, journaling can be a form of self-therapy, helping you uncover deeper meanings, recognize recurring themes, and develop a greater sense of self-awareness throughout your healing journey. Over time, reviewing your journal can offer valuable insights into your healing process.

Ideas for Journaling:

• • How did you feel before, during, and after treatment?
  • What emotions or thoughts surfaced?
  • Any changes in perspective or personal insights?

16. Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Other Substances Before and After Treatment

Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other substances in the days following ketamine treatment is crucial because your brain is in a heightened state of neuroplasticity, making it more sensitive to external influences. Alcohol is a depressant that can counteract ketamine’s antidepressant effects, potentially dulling the benefits of the treatment and leading to mood instability. Caffeine and stimulants may increase anxiety and restlessness, making it harder to integrate the emotional and psychological insights gained during your session. By staying substance-free, you allow your brain and body to fully absorb the therapeutic effects of ketamine, promoting long-lasting healing and emotional balance.

17. Prioritize Self-Care and Mindfulness in the Days Following Treatment

Ketamine enhances neuroplasticity, making it an excellent time to engage in self-care practices such as meditation, yoga, spending time with pets, or nature walks. Prioritizing self-care and mindfulness in the days following a ketamine session helps reinforce the healing and neuroplasticity that the treatment activates in your brain. Engaging in calming and nurturing activities, such as meditation, deep breathing, or gentle movement, allows you to integrate the emotions and insights that may have surfaced during your session. Avoiding stress and focusing on rest, reflection, and healthy habits can help extend the positive effects of ketamine, making them more sustainable over time. By treating yourself with kindness and intention, you create the ideal environment for emotional growth, mental clarity, and long-term well-being.

18. Connect with a Therapist or Support System for Integration

Connecting with a therapist or support system after a ketamine therapy session is essential for processing emotions and insights that may have surfaced during treatment. A therapist can help you make sense of your experience, identify meaningful patterns, and develop strategies to apply these insights to your daily life. Talking with a trusted friend or support group provides emotional validation and reassurance, helping you feel less isolated as you navigate your healing journey. Integration support ensures that the benefits of ketamine therapy extend beyond the session, promoting long-term growth, stability, and positive change.

19. Trust the Process and Be Patient with Yourself

Allow yourself to trust the journey. There may be times in the middle of an infusion or afterwards that you feel anxious. The mantra “Trust the Process” will do wonders for you during these moments.

Trusting the process and being patient with yourself after a ketamine therapy session is crucial because healing is not always immediate or linear. Some sessions may bring profound relief, while others may take time to fully integrate, and that’s completely normal. Putting pressure on yourself to achieve instant results can create unnecessary stress, whereas allowing your mind and body to process the experience naturally leads to deeper, more lasting benefits. By embracing patience and self-compassion, you give yourself the space to heal at your own pace, making the therapeutic effects of ketamine more effective over time.

20. Stay Consistent with Your Treatment Plan

Ketamine infusion therapy works best when completed as a full treatment series, so stick with your provider’s recommendations. Staying consistent with your ketamine treatment plan is essential because each session builds on the previous ones, helping to reinforce long-term changes in brain chemistry and mood regulation. Even after the initial stabilization period, maintenance infusions are important for sustaining the benefits, preventing relapse, and ensuring continued symptom relief. Skipping or delaying treatments can reduce the cumulative effectiveness of ketamine, making it harder to maintain progress and potentially leading to a return of symptoms. By following your provider’s recommended schedule, you give yourself the best chance for lasting mental and emotional well-being, allowing ketamine to support your healing journey over time. With over a decade of experience, Mind Body Centers has developed proven, expert protocols specifically designed to give you the best results possible.

 

By following these strategies, you can maximize the benefits of ketamine infusion therapy and foster lasting well-being. If you’re considering treatment or have questions, contact Mind Body Centers today for a FREE CONSULTATION by calling 1-855-481-9605 or by clicking here! We have clinics in Gilbert, Arizona and Burnsville, Minnesota.