congrats on being approved for ketamine therapy, that's great news! :)
ketamine and psilocybin treatment are helpful to a lot of people because (1) the way they activate the brain gives you a different perspective and (2) they increase neuroplasticity. neuroplasticity will be strongest for the first couple days after treatment, but it will last for a week or two. so changing patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors is more effective during this time frame compared to the brain's normal state.
i haven't done official ketamine therapy, but i have taken psychedelics with the intention of improving my mental health. here is what i do before and after i take psychedelics:
for a day or two before treatment:
try to keep a clear mind by decreasing internet use and not taking recreational drugs. personally i like to engage in calming hobbies that let my mind wander, like making art or spending time in nature.
it helps to reflect on what your intentions and hopes are for your upcoming treatment. identify something you'd like to work on during your ketamine session, while also being open to the possibility that your ketamine session might go differently. basically, have an idea of where you might want to go, while accepting that ketamine might take you elsewhere :)
for a day or two after treatment:
it helps to reflect on the experience you had in your session. any way you want to reflect is good. here are some ways i reflect. i don't do all of them after a session! just one or maybe two:
- just thinking about my experience
- starting a voice recording and rambling
- reflecting by making art about it
- writing down what i'm thinking/feeling, like a stream of consciousness
- answering a few structured questions like: what happened during my experience? how did i feel? what felt meaningful, what was my mind telling me? what did i learn/discover? how would i like for myself or my life to change?
these are just ideas, it doesn't have to be a specific way of reflecting. and it doesn't have to be the same every time! just do whatever feels right in the moment :)
similar to before your session, try to keep a clear mind by decreasing internet use and not taking recreational drugs. let yourself do whatever your body and mind feel like doing, don't force yourself to do anything specific. for me, sometimes i feel like going on a walk in the forest. other times, i feel like staying indoors and making art. sometimes, i want to meditate. other times, i want to keep my mind and body active. sometimes i want to be alone. other times i want to spend time with others. just do whatever feels right in the moment. and make sure you get enough sleep and food!
in the days and weeks afterwards:
i like to focus on a couple things i discovered or learned during the experience. and i try to make a couple changes in my life or in my mindset based on these revelations/lessons. it doesn't work if i try to make 10 changes at once, but i can usually manage 2 :)
most people need more than one session, so don't worry if you don't feel drastic changes immediately! and after initial treatment, a lot of people benefit from maintenance doses every once in a while. for example, a friend of mine trips every 6 months to manage their depression.
serious side effects are rare, but if you start experiencing any new physical health issues, new cognitive or mental issues, or psychosis, talk to a medical professional.
good luck, keep us updated!
will try to keep all of this in mind. peace&love<3 thank u
