The Four Types of Experiences You May Have With Ketamine [2020 Update]

This post was originally published 2/28/2018 and updated 8/2020

Researching on the internet you might be wondering, "What would a ketamine infusion be like? Perhaps you are just curious or you have your first ketamine infusion coming up. What you'll find are scientific articles about "dissociative effect" that ketamine has or blogs about k-holes. So what’s really going on?

The Dissociative Experience

Ketamine is known as a dissociative anesthetic. In simple terms, dissociation is a temporary state of the mind where the individual experiences a detachment from their environment and may begin to feel separated from their body. Doctors traditionally utilize this effect during medical procedures. Ketamine allows the doctors to perform otherwise painful procedures painlessly for the patient. 

Learn more about ketamine’s history here.

This can sound a bit scary, so why would someone want to experience this for treating depression? Why would you want to “trip”? This dissociative experience is only one aspect that we understand helps in treating depression, other mood disorders and chronic pain. A study by Lukenbaugh et al, demonstrated people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) had a more robust and sustained antidepressant effect in those who experienced dissociation during the infusion (1).

Learn more about the Four Mechanisms of How Ketamine Works here.

Ketamine-Induced Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness

This dissociative experience during ketamine is also known as a, “ketamine-induced non-ordinary state of consciousness.” There are four types of experiences one could have. The type of experience one has during the infusion is dependent upon the amount of ketamine given and the mindset of the individual when receiving the medicine. Usually the more ketamine given, the more dissociative or psychedelic experience they may have. 

According to Dr. Eli Kolp, here are the 4 types of experiences or “states" (2):

Empathogenic Experience

• Awareness of body

• Comfort and relaxation

• Reduced ego defenses

• Empathy, compassion, and warmth

• Love and peace

• Euphoria

• Mind is dreamy with non-specific colorful visual effects

Out-of-Body Experience (OBE)

• Complete separation from one’s body

• Significantly diminished ego defenses

• Visits to mythological realms of consciousness

• Encounters with non-terrestrial beings

• Emotionally intense visions (e.g., deceased relatives, spirits)

• Vivid dreams of past and future incarnations

• Re-experiencing the birth process

Near-Death Experience (NDE)

• Departure from one’s body

• Complete ego dissolution/loss of identity

• Experienced physical (body) and psychological (mind) death

• Experience being a single point of consciousness simply aware of itself

• Reliving one’s life aware of how actions have affected others, with moral judgment of self

Learn more about ketamine and NDE’s here.

Ego-Dissolving Transcendental Experience (EDT)

• Ecstatic state of the dissolution of boundaries between the self and external reality

• Complete dissolution of one’s body and self (soul)

• Transcending normal mass/time/space continuum

• Collective consciousness

• Unity with Nature/Universe

• Sacredness

Each Experience Is Different

Each experience is dependent upon dose, setting, and the individual's mindset.  No two experiences are the same, even for the individual who gets multiple ketamine infusions.

We have seen in our patients, the more positive profound experience they have, the more change and improvement they have in their symptoms and in their daily life.

Whatever experience you may have, it’s important to make sure you receive your infusion from a doctor you trust and a clinic you feel comfortable in.

Concerned about how to handle a challenging ketamine experience? Learn more on our blog post here about this very topic!

References:

1. Luckenbaugh DA, Niciu MJ, Ionescu DF, et al. Do the dissociative side effects of ketamine mediate its antidepressant effects? Journal of affective disorders. 2014;159:56-61. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.02.017.

2. Kolp, Eli & L. Friedman, Harris & Krupitsky, Evgeny & Jansen, Karl & Sylvester, Mark & Young, Matthew & Kolp, Anna. (2014). Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies. 33. 84-140. 10.24972/ijts.2014.33.2.84.

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IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY, PTSD, DEPRESSION, OCD, MIGRAINES, FIBROMYALGIA, OR CHRONIC PAIN, PLEASE CONTACT US NOW FOR A CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU WOULD BE AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR KETAMINE INFUSIONS. 

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