Author's note: this post will speak directly to my personal experience. Yours might be different. Do what is right for you.
Going into my 5th ketamine session today. Might be at a higher dose, and doing this two days back-to-back, so I'm expecting to be decently out of it and that my experience will likely change from the previous ones.
These are the steps I take that worked for me, some from advice from others, and some just knowing how my body reacts.
Comfort:
I need complete and absolute comfort in my sessions. Tried having my hair in a ponytail but that small pull on the hair was too intense. Changed underwear prior to a session as it was creeping up my butt a bit too much and I knew it would bother me. Soft clothes, nothing tight or binding, not even the slightest bit of irritation.
Warmth & Weight:
I need to be extra warm. Not hot, but no amount of chill. I used a weighted blanket my last session and it comforted and grounded me in a way that I felt completely secure.
Food:
My first session I was nervous and didn't eat much. I had a 1/2 of an apple, small amount of almond butter, and a few hours later one slice of toast with a little almond butter. This was fine, but I have issues with low blood sugar so I don't think it was enough, especially as my session went over lunch so I wasn't able to eat again until midafternoon. The next session I had what is my go-to breakfast: I call it a protein pancake. Basically, a small amount of protein pancake mix, 1egg, cinnamon, stevia and a little almond milk to moisten. I eat it with berries. My blood sugar felt more even with this or maybe it's just what my body likes, so I've been sticking with it. Maybe it's because my sessions have been over lunchtime, but by the time I get home I'm shaky and struggling, so I need food that I can grab and go right to the couch. Tried to cook something after one session and it was too much effort.
Home prep:
I need to have everything in my home comfortable and ready to go, so when I get home from a session there is nothing for me to do but rest. Everything clean and orderly, food stocked, candles, lighting...I sort of make my own home spa setting.
Music:
I was advised to use ear buds and play music without lyrics. I played Ambient Deep Sleep (though there are many Ketamine playlists on Spotify). I can see how any music with lyrics, or even instrumental that brings up recall memory, might be triggering.
During treatment:
In the clinic I go to there are lounge chairs, a little table with barf bags (amazing I didn't need one), mints (for the chemical taste of ketamine going down your throat), kleenex, and a call button in case you need anything. I get situated by making sure my blanket is all the way up to my neck, laying way back, earbuds in and then stillness. The first session I don't think I moved at all but the ones after I did switch positions to my side later in the session. I did see one patient sitting up looking at his phone during his session. I can't imagine this, and struggle to even do this after the session at home, but again each experience appears to be individual.
Vitals:
Your vitals are checked before, during, and at the end of your session. It's typical for people's blood pressure to go up during a treatment. Mine goes down, but doing the opposite is typical for my body, which is all the more reason I'm relieved and amazed that I haven't had side effects from this.
Bottom line advice:
Tune into you. Listen to the advice of others, but your body is your best teacher (my yoga teacher voice coming out now). Your body knows what to do, don't fight it, just be there and let the drugs work for you.
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