5 Ways to Maximize the Effectiveness of your Ketamine Infusion Treatments

Charles Maddix, ARNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Nov 15, 2022

There's no doubt that ketamine infusion therapy can be an incredibly effective treatment for a variety of conditions. However, to get the most out of each and every treatment, there are a few simple things you can do. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to maximize the effectiveness of ketamine infusions.

  1. Before each ketamine infusion, it is important to hydrate well. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your treatment, and be sure to have some water with you during your infusion. This will help to prevent any unwanted side effects and ensure that you get the most out of your ketamine infusions.


  2. Use music to enhance relaxation and assist with the inward journey.  Bring relaxing music or if your music is something other than relaxing you may use the smart tv's located in each treatment room to search you tube for playlists from artist like Enya, Sudha, or search the term "meditation music." This will bring up hours of relaxing music that is just the right tempo to put mind in a state open to healing.


  3. Bring a blanket or several layers of clothing. The thermostat in medical offices can be set pretty low, which might leave you chilly and distracted. Keep in mind that you'll be sitting still for at least an hour during your infusion, therefore prepare accordingly. Bringing comfortable socks, a shawl, or even a blanket with you may help you feel more comfortable during your infusion, and allow for a more pleasant experience, one in which you are fully engaged.


  4. Are you prescribed a benzodiazepine such as alprazolam (Xanax) or diazepam (Valium)?  As calming as they may be they have been shown to hinder the anti-depressive effects of ketamine. Ketamine works better when taken away from these other drugs, so if you can skip the morning dose to allow the ketamine to work without interference.


  5. Maintain your gains.  After the initial 6 treatments in the induction phase, most people come in for monthly boosters.  Check-in with yourself weekly, if you feel you depressions is slowly returning, make an appointment for a booster infusion.  Don't wait too long, the longer you wait the worse your depression becomes, the more boosters it will take to get you back to where your were.

Remember, you should look forward to your ketamine infusion sessions, not have anxiety over them! This method of treatment has an 75-85% rate of success (depending on which study you look at), as far as treatments for depression, anxiety, and PTSD go this is extraordinarily high making ketamine most definitely worth trying. In booking an appointment today you'll be taking the first steps towards a better quality of life and a better happier you.‍