Before and After a Ketamine Session

The days before a session are working days, even when nothing looks like work. Slow down where you can. Journal, meditate, walk, or spend time in nature. Be mindful of the media you take in, since what you consume tends to show up in the experience. Arrive rested and hydrated, with a nutritious meal earlier in the day.

If your health, medications, or physical condition change before a session, tell your clinical team. And if you are able, keep the session day and the following day light. That is not required, but it gives the experience room to settle.

A few timing rules protect the session itself. No solid food for four hours before, and clear liquids only until two hours before. Take your usual medications with sips of water at least four hours ahead, unless your prescriber has directed otherwise. Skip caffeine that day if you can, and no alcohol for 48 hours before.

Some substances interact with the medicine and are avoided in a window around each session, always with your prescriber’s guidance and never by stopping a prescribed medication on your own. Your clinical team will walk through your specific medication picture with you during screening and preparation. The downloadable checklist below carries the full list.

Your intention anchors the session. Choose something clear and resonant, simple enough for a single sentence, and framed toward what you want more of. Then hold it lightly, as a direction rather than a destination. Our intention-setting guide and worksheet walk this in depth.

What surfaces in the hours and days after dosing is as much a part of the process as the experience itself. Arrange for a trusted person to bring you home, and skip driving and anything hazardous for the rest of the day. Plan a restful evening with no obligations.

Then treat your body as part of the integration. Sleep well, eat nourishing food, move gently, and go easy on coffee, alcohol, sugar, and processed food for a few days. Journal or record your experience while it is fresh. Massage or bodywork can support the settling if it is available to you.