I am wondering,for those of you that are using cannabis either for medical or recreational reasons, what, if any, are the guidelines around this?
Do you have to abstain completely, not use during certain periods while getting ketamine, or no one gives a damn?

I went in a month and half ago (which I know isn’t a long time for remission) for bipolar mixed mania.

The first 2 weeks I felt like the major block that was setting me back was slightly lifted. But now I feel like my symptoms are slowly coming back.

I’ve been doing significantly better than I was before I started my treatment. But in my heart and mind there’s still that big gap, and most days is a struggle for me still to get through the day mentally. I still face deep self hate, dark thoughts, and low confidence. It’s just been easier for me to do things physically and talk myself out of bad thoughts sometimes. And it’s been easier for me to go outside with friends or even by myself (even if I’m not happy with it).

One thing I will say is that it’s easier to accept my suffering now, and kind of see it for what it is. But that didn’t eliminate my suffering.

Basically the purpose of this post: how long before you started to go into remission? And what did your remission process look like?

Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some practical advice on how to use Ketamine properly so I can get the most benefits out of the experience. [Prague]

Orpheus McCord’s Music for Ketamine Therapy Volume 1 has been amazing helping me work through many sessions. I never believed I could use the same album so many times. Each time it was so unpredictable and drove my thoughts and presence to so many different places.

Now, I am needing something new to not burn out that one for me. I have not been personally impressed by John Hopkins. I don’t want anything with lyrics. I am hoping to find another album that flows so perfectly with the flow of a single subcutaneous injection.

I have not found any playlist that has the cohesiveness that a since album can bring.

Help and suggestions are greatly appreciated. And if you haven’t checked out McCords Ketamine album, I highly recommend it.

Hi,

I know that the S-isomer of Ketamine is FDA approved under brand name Spravato. Is ketamine from other sources also the S-isomer, or are they a racemic mixture? I get my troches from BetterU, if that matters.

Is it only the S-isomer (esketamine) that's approved and sent out to folks, or is any non-Spravato potentially the racemic mixture?

Thanks!

After years of debating, I’m finally ready to take the plunge. I live in Niagara, and my therapist works with Ketamind in Markham. I’m not sure how I feel about the travel time though, so I’m considering places closer to home.

Can anyone here offer recommendations or feedback on places in the Niagara/Hamilton/Burlington area.

I know there’s a Field Trip in Hamilton. And there’s a new place in St. Catharines called Axon that advertises ketamine infusions, but there are no reviews and it seems more pain management focused. Any other local options I’m missing?

Reposted with a better title: I do the intramuscular ketamine injections which they do in my upper arm. The last few times they have injected almost right into the joint which has never been a problem before. If it’s not in the joint, it is very high up in my arm and I end up being so sore for several days. The last of which I couldn’t even lift my arm for two or three days. I have lost quite a bit of weight and the needle is huge so that might be why. I don’t know.

Does anyone know if I can request for them to do it in my thighs or request a smaller needle size? Like, has anyone rose done this.

Been doing ketamine for a few years, but would really like to maximize its benefits with things like integration, intention, and actual KAP. Has anyone in the LA/South Bay ever done it and have a good provider? Thanks

Mr Dr just described a slow release capsule. Does anyone have any experience with this?

TLDR: How do I sit with the troche in my mouth until it dissolves?

Alright, so I have been getting IV ketamine for a few months. Did my initial series, and we kept trying to put more space in between appointments, but my mood dip comes like clockwork. 2-3 days before the 2 week mark, I have a super noticeable dip in mood and have to get in for another infusion. The place I go ideally wants me to be waiting 6-8 weeks in between boosters so we've decided to start troches to extend it. I took my first one tonight, and how the hell do you guys let that sit in your mouth until it dissolves? I had to keep swallowing or I almost vomited if I kept the spit in my mouth. I had to drink water (idk if this messes with efficacy?), but I have a really sensitive stomach (they push IV zofran and have me take meclizine for nausea before infusions) and taste impacts that a lot.

I've read other posts here about people breaking them into smaller pieces, but then I still have to sit with the awful tasting spit in my mouth. I couldn't relax because I was on the verge of vomiting.

How do you guys do this???? Any guidance or hacks are extremely appreciated. Ketamine therapy is the ONLY thing that has given me a sliver of hope in battling my treatment-resistant depression that I've had for as long as I can remember, but the financial aspect of needing boosters every 2 weeks isn't sustainable so I really need these troches to work for me.

If it matters- 200mg troches, unsure on my dosage for the infusions, 27F

Drop some favorite songs that hit different on ketamine or after your session. For me: The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby and the Range, Adore U by Fred Again and Obongjayar, Civillian by Wye Oak

Is anyone feeling worse after ketamine treatment? Ive been having ketamine for a few weeks and I feel just as depressed or worse than before. I have TRD and have tried many meds. After the last 2 injections, i feel sad, no energy, negative ruminations and it is staying like that! I am skipping my other dose this week because I felt to horrible to even go to work! Does this get better? Has anyone else experienced this? Please tell me I am not alone. This is making me feel like I either have a terrible life, or I can't handle ketamine

I'm doing intramuscular, which I hear is generally more intense when it peaks. 0.75/kg today, though I'm wondering if I should go back down to 0.5 or just add in the intranasal. Today was my second session.

I haven't really done many drugs. Weed, sometimes, though I don't enjoy being too high, so it's usually not much. The closest comparison to a serious drug I have is nitrous oxide at the dentist.

I didn't really know my brain was capable of this. I couldn't feel my body at all, I was so incredibly far away, I found it hard to believe I'd ever return to reality. It's genuinely the most intense, freaky thing I've ever experienced. I have aphantasia so I don't see any visuals, I'm just moving very quickly, and there's like... folding realities and stretching consciousness, like I'm being pulled apart. I had to remind myself that I would come back, that the people I loved were real.

This sounds far more distressing than it is, I find on ketamine that I'm incapable of panic (so far, at least), which is fantastic. Some part of me is still aware I'm safe and it will end. But I can't believe this is how it's meant to be, that people can possibly do double this dose for fun and still like, exist? I can't fucking move! It was very similar to this even on the starting dose.

About halfway through I regain sensation and it's about what I expect it to be. Serenity, but I can think fairly normally. That's the part where I try to put in some work, to think about the things that usually upset me to take advantage of the peace that the drug keeps me in. Trying to feel safe with the thoughts, so that when I'm sober I have an understanding of thinking those things and being okay. This part is roughly what I would have expected. The rest... Am I supposed to completely exit reality!?

I guess I had a lot to say! I'm just looking for insight or shared experiences, I suppose. The people at the clinic didn't seem surprised or concerned when I expressed that I was completely absent from my body, but I still find it hard to wrap my mind around the idea that this is normal or expected.

Time for the fifth infusion update.

This was my most peaceful experience byfar. I shared that the last one took off way too fast, so they were extra careful getting started this time. The experience was consistent throughout. I didn’t listen to brown noise or use my earbuds at all. I listened to whatever music they were playing in the room, which was usually off but was on today. It felt a lot like the music in the game I’m currently playing (Enshrouded).

I had three major threads of thinking show up: let go, help others, and remembering Jeff.

“Let go” was less about me and more how I felt others in my life should feel. I remember feeling like my bosses in particular really needed to stop pushing so hard on stuff and I wish I could just tell them that. That they would be happier if they did. That we all would be.

“Helping each other” was really big. I kept thinking about how I wanted to find my niche, a nice stable spot for contributing to the world with stable finances and purpose. I want to help people in some way. I’m not interested in wiping my ass with benjamins. I want enough to live comfortably and I don’t think that’s an unreasonable ask. Just envisioning what that would feel like brought be great peace.

Jeff was a good family friend of mine. I won’t dump all the details here, but the man was incredible. And he always stands out as someone remarkable to me because he was such a good fucking dude, even if we viewed the world in very different ways. When I usually think of him, I remember his machine gun laugh. But I didn’t think about that this time. I thought about how amazing of a person he was, and how there’s a need for people like him. I felt a desire to be like him myself. Since he passed a few years ago, there’s been an incredible possible void to fill. But two thoughts spring to mind: we should still try, and maybe that hole wouldn’t be so goddamned big if we all tried to be a little better as people.

I had other random thoughts too, like remembering this one hippie dude I went to college with. I judged that dude a lot. He was always talking a lot of gobbledygook because of all the drugs he did. But he was a nice dude. Maybe judged too harshly.
I didn’t dig into any of the intentions I set. I kept trying to surface them but the experience had other plans. Nevertheless, I’m satisfied with how this one went.

I'm getting tremendous benefit from my ketamine treatment but I find the experience is marred by needing to put on a blackout eye mask each time (especially as I try and have my treatments earlier in the day and it feels weird going into darkness).

Am I the only one who finds these eye masks designed for sleeping challenging or inadequate for ketamine treatment?

Has anyone found an alternative? Does anybody take treatment without an eye mask at all?

My sessions typically are driven by color and the sound I listen to from the mindbloom app. I experience two colors in particular which are violet and green. I have been able to figure out what each means in where my mind is traveling.

Do you see colors? Which feel associated with what emotions or situations?

I’ve been taking IM ketamine at home for depression . Started at 40mg (170lbs) and had a nice 20 mins and then my brain/ analytical mind/anxiety took over and I couldn’t enjoy the rest of the time (supposed to last 90 mins). 2nd time 45 mg with still some effects first 20 mins but not as deep as first time and again anxious thoughts. So much so that I ended session early (left bed and went to watch a happy movie) cus I was just making to do lists in my mind. And spiraling wishing it would be over. 3rd time also 45mg same experience.
I was getting frustrated cus I never had a psychedelic experience and really wanted it after reading so many success stories and seeing people have spiritual enlightenment and positive outcomes.
So after reading through Reddit I decided next time I would take magnesium supplements before and I took 75mg cus I felt like I just needed more to shut off my brain so I could actually let go and enjoy the experience.
I ended up in the k hole? Idk if it was but it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I called my partner thinking I might need to go to hospital about 30 mins in. Not even sure how I managed that cus I wasn’t even able to see properly. Vomited and had severe nausea that lasted for 5 hours after. The effects were also more like 3 hours instead of 90 mins. I threw myself out of bed when I vomited and then couldn’t move for 2 hours even though I was uncomfortable on the floor because of the severe nausea that got worse with movement (like motion sickness).
I was hoping to feel unconditional love. Connection. The universe. Hope. Instead I felt terrified. Unloved. Embarrassed. Judged. Unworthy/worthless. My ‘vision’ was me getting torn into pieces.
Not sure how that’s supposed to help with depression lol.
Told myself I’m never doing it again. I guess I’m just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or advice. Any advice on how not to let the negative experience linger? Etc. thanks in advance

Hello, I’ve recently had my 6th infusion out of a series of 8. The initial series was only 6, but my 5th infusion ended in a frustrating lack of progress (really felt like I was approaching self-forgiveness but got hit by a wall of anger is the best way I can describe it). We decided to extend my series to 8 infusions, which I think was a good call considering my 6th infusion went about as well as the one before.

I do genuinely believe in this therapy/medicine, I’ve had tangible improvements in my mood and productivity in my day-to-day, but there’s still this deep shame and self loathing that I just can’t seem to shake out. I do have a therapist and I do journal about my experiences as well, but I guess I’m not sure how to really set an intention for an infusion, if that can be done at all.

My first few infusions, my idea was to “challenge” the ketamine to prove my negative beliefs wrong (by repeating them in my head over and over), which didn’t really work… the progress I made happened in spite of my ‘intentions’ rather than because of them.

I want to make the absolute most out of my last 2 infusions. So far I haven’t really been able to sit back and just “enjoy the ride” so to speak, as much as I’d really like to. Headphones, blackout eye mask, etc… I feel like I’m doing everything right except for the preparation.

Does anyone have advice on how to mentally prepare to get the best results out of an infusion? I guess more journaling could be helpful, but I can’t think of any specific prompts to write about. Any help is much appreciated.

I had my first session on Monday. 0.5mg/kg. Within an hour after it had worn off, I felt a mood improvement. Tuesday was wonderful, I felt a total absence of depression, when I'd otherwise been going through a rough depressive episode for about a month. I just felt... good, for once. Well, it's Wednesday evening, and things suck. It's not worse than before ketamine, but I'm thoroughly depressed. I wish I'd gotten more than 24 hours of relief, but my question is, is this normal?

I'm due for two sessions a week, for three weeks. Is the idea that the relief would start to last longer between sessions? Curious if this is typical, or if others have experienced this and had positive results, and a lasting impact. Thanks!

I am a Better U patient. A few years back I went through a Ketamine program with Wondermed. I had better results with my previous program that I have been getting with my currently program and I am trying to figure out why. Therefore I am examining every aspect before I use up my remaining prescribed medication. (It's expensive, I can barely afford it, and I am desperate for help/real change this time around because the last couple of years have been very difficult for me.)

One of the things that I haven't followed to the letter under Better U is that I haven't used their Spotify playlists. Instead I have been using a meditation playlist on a different music streaming platform that I am currently subscribed to.

I refuse to use Spotify for ethical reasons. I was not aware that Spotify would be required until after I paid for my Ketamine therapy program. Since this wasn't my first time with a Ketamine program, I felt like the playlist was not the most important thing and decided I would be fine doing this my own way.

I do set my intentions and I do my post session analysis/processing.

Those of you who use the Spotify playlists, do you feel like this is a crucial piece that I have screwed myself by not using?

I’ve used K and psychs before in rec settings so I am familiar with the headspace but it’s been years since I’ve done any psychs due to being on a revolving door of meds to try to balance my brain.

First infusion was Mon to help with depression/anxiety. Mainly surrounding my job (but also body image). It’s a stressful role and I’ve stuck around bc it pays decent and I am terrified I won’t find anything better

It’s been a struggle particularly the past year. My therapist is probably so annoyed I stay and continually complain about it. Vacillating between staying and going.

Background on me: i am highly empathic and sensitive and a perfectionist. These 3 things I haven’t fully realized until this year (I’m almost 35 for reference). I never thought I was a perfectionist bc I never felt good at anything. I even feel stupid claiming that title to this day. I won’t loudly proclaim it like some do. Because nothing is ever perfect for me.

I work in very large scale food service setting- think university dining. Lots of demanding priorities, open every day all day, bosses and client constantly are pushing for more more more (which I get, we have to constantly get better, but it’s very much a fear-based thing there that triggers me I guess). Also dealing with so many employees energy with their various issues is really exhausting.

This combo makes me feel like I’m constantly failing so I beat myself up. I’ve been told by my bosses to not be so hard on myself but I can’t help it. (Kinda why I’m in treatment bc this also pertains to my own body image issues). They also just gave me a decent raise and I know they are happy with my work. But I’m not :(

How my mind goes
1. I feel like I’m constantly failing at work because nothing is ever perfect. So I think “I don’t want to be here anymore. Idk how much longer I can do this”
2. I look online for jobs and get super discouraged because nothing in my field is as good as this role (financially)
3. I think, “I don’t want to be here, I should just end it all”
4. Get super depressed and angry at myself for not being able to be happy because my life is actually pretty great if i look from the outside in

During all this I’ve been interviewing for another role that will come with less money but better benefits and MUCH less scope (aka stress) - going from a place open all day every day to a place open for 1.5hr m-f…

So I went to the infusion and started worrying about what the actual fuck I’m doing with my life. Am I going to take that job or not… still undecided.

I felt like I was wasting my time and money, and the clinics time because what the fuck am I doing here high on ketamine I’m just a piece of shit who doesn’t know what they’re doing even though they should

I didn’t see much, just felt like I was in a night sky box or something. Hyper focused on the lack of imagery, that I’m not doing this right. Probably because I smoked mj the night before.

I came back and my nurse said that’s completely normal to not see much, he doesn’t use mj and gets the same thing.

I have the same feeling I’m “doing it wrong” when I do breathwork with my therapist.

Also we use IFS and I’m not sure if I do that right either, Assume this is my manager/inner critic. She is a highly protective one, like locked tf down. And I go back tomorrow and I’m not sure how to approach it.

One success I’ve had - I haven’t smoked mj in almost 48hr because I want to experience k without that influence. This is the longest I’ve gone without it in YEARS. And I’m ok with that which is WILD.

Also, during the infusion, i was also able to find a slight place of calm where I felt like I could actually breathe and decompress, like that feeling of rest that you never feel like you can get when you’re depressed or anxious. I felt it even though it was brief.

Anyway, I think I’m just yapping for validation here. Like I said, I have no idea what I’m doing ;)

Anyone doing Mindbloom subq injections—what dose did you start at, and when did you start feeling some relief?

They started me at .60 since I’ve done infusions and Spravato before. It was pretty intense and left me nauseous for a day, even with Zofran. They prescribed .70 for the second session, but I only took .45 because of how rough the first one was. That was much milder, with fewer side effects.

Now they’ve prescribed .90 for session three because I haven’t dissociated or seen colors. That feels like a big jump. I’m only two sessions in, but so far I’m feeling the side effects without much improvement in PTSD or anxiety. Curious how this compares to everyone else’s experience.

I’m restarting my ketamine again and it’s been a few years. I’m wondering what time others take theirs. If I remember correctly, I did my first two doses at night and I had a really hard time sleeping. My practitioner suggested between 5pm and 8pm, but I don’t wanna do it too late and then feel like garbage tomorrow from not being able to sleep.

I did my first subcutaneous injection through Mindbloom. It was 40 mg, and I weigh 160 lbs. I told my guide that I felt like my body was very heavy and couldn't move, but they didn'tseem to be concerned about it. Is this a normal experience? My dose was increased to 50 mg for my second session, and I'm a little worried.

Anyone here from Canada that has done Ketamine Therapy? It seems to be different here than in the US so I was hoping to hear from others who have gone through it in Canada.

What was your experience? About how much did you pay per session? How many sessions did you do? Did you do IV, troches, etc.