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A plain-language guide

What to expect before, during and after

Low-dose and high-dose ketamine-assisted sessions for depression or anxiety, explained simply.

General education, not medical advice. I'm a trained facilitator, not a therapist or medical provider; your medical provider's instructions come first.

Choosing between paths? Compare low and high dose.

The basics

  • Ketamine is a prescription anesthetic and controlled substance, given under licensed medical care. 1,2
  • It can be given as an intramuscular (IM) injection or in oral or sublingual forms, like a lozenge. 1,3
  • Lower doses tend to feel relaxed or slightly detached; higher doses feel more strongly dissociative. Effects are short-acting, but you may feel tired for the rest of the day. 1,2
  • Research suggests it may help some people with depression and anxiety. Results vary, and long-term safety is still being studied. 2
  • Ketamine is used off-label for depression and anxiety. Esketamine (Spravato), a nasal spray made from ketamine, is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression in adults. 2
  • A licensed provider decides whether it's right for you. The FDA has cautioned about unmonitored at-home use. More on ketamine for depression. 2,3
01

Before

So session day isn't a surprise.

Setting an intention

A direction, not a goal to hit. Something like “I want to see what's under the noise.”

Medical screening

A licensed medical partner reviews your health history and medications and decides whether ketamine fits, and if so, the path, route, and dose. Bring medical questions to them. 2

Practical prep

  • Arrange a ride home. Don't drive after a session. 2
  • Clear the rest of the day. No work or big decisions. 2
  • Cover kids, pets, and anyone who depends on you.
  • Follow your provider's instructions on food, drink, and medications.
  • Bring comfort items if allowed: blanket, eye mask, headphones.
  • Tell someone you trust what you're doing and when you'll be home.
02

During

How the two kinds of sessions generally compare. Full details: low vs. high dose comparison.

Path A

Low dose

Setting
A quiet room, sitting up or reclining. Often a sublingual lozenge or low IM dose, given by the medical team.
How it may feel
Relaxed or slightly detached, while staying aware and able to talk. 2
Support
More back-and-forth. I listen and help you stay with what comes up, within what the medical partnership allows.
Path B

High dose

Setting
A quiet, dim room, lying down, often with an eye mask and music. An IM injection, given by the medical team.
How it may feel
Dream-like or out-of-body, with less sense of time or surroundings. Can feel intense; it's temporary. 1,2
Support
Little talking during the deepest part; a quiet, steady presence. Conversation returns as effects fade.

Everyone's experience differs. The medical team monitors you throughout; tell them right away if something feels physically wrong.

03

After

Land gently, then make sense of it.

Rest, and no driving

Feeling groggy or tired for the rest of the day is common. Let your ride take you home, and follow your provider's guidance on when to drive or work again. 2

Journaling prompts

  • What stood out most?
  • What did I notice in my body?
  • What surprised me?
  • What do I want to bring to integration?
  • What's one thing to carry forward, or set down?

Integration

We make sense of it together, in the context of your real life. No pressure to have it figured out. Medical questions go to your provider.

More on integration support

04

Questions for your intro call

  • What do you do, and what does the medical team do?
  • How does the referral to medical screening work?
  • What does session day look like, and where will you be?
  • How many prep and integration conversations are included?
  • What does it cost, including the medical side?
  • What if I decide this isn't for me?
  • How do you handle my privacy?
Book a free 15-min intro call

FAQ

Quick answers.

Is low dose or high dose right for me?

That's a medical decision made with a licensed provider after screening; I don't recommend doses or routes. To understand the options, compare the two paths.

Will you be there on session day?

Session-day support is part of what I offer, within what the medical partnership allows. We'll go over exactly how it works during preparation.

What if I feel unwell after a session?

Contact your medical provider for anything physical or medical. In an emergency, call 911. In crisis, call or text 988.

Sources

  1. Rosenbaum SB, Gupta V, Patel P, et al. “Ketamine.” StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. Cleveland Clinic. “Ketamine Therapy: What It Is, How It Works & Side Effects.” Medically reviewed January 16, 2026.
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA warns patients and health care providers about potential risks associated with compounded ketamine products, including oral formulations, for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.” October 10, 2023. Listed under FDA Compounding Risk Alerts.

Start with a free intro call.

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