It’s Tuesday. You sit in a calm waiting room. Ambient music plays softly. In just 20 minutes, your ketamine therapy preparation session starts. Your palms sweat, your stomach tightens, and a whirlwind of questions spins: What should I say? How will I feel? Did I prepare correctly?
If you’ve made it this far, you’re likely serious about healing. You’ve read the science. You know stories of change from others. Yet, how to prepare for Spravato treatment or intravenous ketamine therapy remains a puzzle for many. Should you meditate before? Eat something? Will this get bizarre??
Some essential tips stay hidden. Neglecting these can lead to a frustrating, disorienting experience. Want results like those documented in peer-reviewed studies? Your mindset matters. Who supports you matters. What music do you choose—or skip?
Let’s simplify it. Whether you’re planning your first Spravato session guide or prepping for IV therapy, this post will break it down.
1. When the Mind Runs Wild, What Happens to the Experience?
Too Much Noise on the Inside
Some of us come in with a mental to-do list. Unanswered emails. Grocery runs. Last week’s conversations swirl in our heads. This chaos doesn’t disappear when the medicine takes effect.
While scrolling PubMed last night (yes, it’s a guilty pleasure), I found a 2024 network meta-analysis by Shen et al. This study examined 14 clinical trials with 1,380 participants, all assessing ketamine’s impact on suicidal ideation in depression. Ten of these trials were randomized controlled—basically the crème de la crème of psych research.
These researchers dug deeper than “Does ketamine work?” They used Stata 15 and R 4.1.3 for serious number crunching, comparing effects at various time points across treatments.
And the results were clear. Within one day, people reported a tenfold drop in suicidal thoughts (Risk Ratio 10.02, 95% CI: 4.24–23.68). At day 26, the benefits remained strong (RR = 4.29, CI: 1.41–13.08), proving ketamine’s staying power.
But here’s the real kicker: relief wasn’t only about dosage. Patients felt better after their final dose than their first (RR = 0.56, CI: 0.51–0.62). It means that your mindset and environment play vital roles. Showing up distracted? Not ideal for your experience.
Use Ritual, Not Routine
It isn’t a standard doctor’s visit. Please treat it with respect. Create mental and emotional space. Many patients find it helpful to set intentions, journal, or sit quietly for ten minutes before the journey. It isn’t fluff—it establishes a tone.
Your ketamine therapy preparation starts the night before. Minimize caffeine consumption, turn off your phone early, and let your body wind down. Shen et al.’s 2024 study found that when patients received repeated treatments instead of a one-off, they experienced stronger, more lasting mental recovery.
Still curious about what to do before ketamine treatment? That’s it. There is less rush and more presence. Following Shen et al.’s guidance can make a real difference.
2. When the Body’s Wired, What Can the Brain Learn?
Bad Food, Worse Reactions
Some arrive with empty stomachs and shaky hands. Others devour a breakfast sandwich and feel queasy during the session. Neither approach works well.
The FDA’s label for SPRAVATO® suggests no food two hours before treatment and no liquids for 30 minutes prior. Why, you ask? Nausea and vomiting can happen, especially if your stomach isn’t ready.
A light meal 2–3 hours beforehand keeps blood sugar steady. Less crashing means less discomfort and better focus.
Don’t ignore the basics. Your body sets the stage for your mind.
Prep Like a Performance Athlete
Think of it as gearing up for a workout. Enjoy a small, protein-rich meal three hours before your appointment. Keep hydrated. Skip heavy or spicy foods. Some clinics recommend avoiding alcohol and cannabis on non-dosing days—wise advice to follow.
Physical comfort matters. Wear something cozy and layered. Temperature can shift during sessions, so layers save the day. These are the pre-ketamine session tips that nobody includes on the intake forms.
3. When the Room Feels Off, Where Do You Go Mentally?
Clinical But Cold
Too-bright lights? Buzzing air vents? White walls with zero personality? That’s the reality in many clinics. It doesn’t help your peace of mind.
While sifting through PubMed, I stumbled upon a 2024 meta-analysis by Lundberg et al. The researchers analyzed 81 studies examining how waiting room environments and sensory inputs influence pre-treatment anxiety. Out of those, 28 studies made it into their final quantitative analysis, revealing some exciting findings.
Patients sitting near aquariums for just 20 minutes had lower heart rates (p = 0.02). Watching animal or nature videos? Anxiety dropped dramatically (p = 0.001). Listening to music further reduced systolic (p = 0.011) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.029). And when you combine soothing music with aromatherapy for over 20 minutes? Anxiety ratings plummeted (p < 0.001).
The takeaway? Small changes in your waiting area can shift your body’s response. It affects how well ketamine therapy takes hold. No one wants to feel lost in a sterile environment.
Bring Your Comfort
Ask your provider what you can bring. Some clinics allow:
- Eye masks
- Weighted blankets
- (Your) favorite tunes.
Others offer calming visuals, essential oils, or gentle lighting. Your environment directly affects how deeply the medicine can work.
So, when considering how to prepare for Spravato treatment, remember the physical setting. One little change—like bringing comfy socks or a nice scent—can make all the difference.
4. When No One Talks About Integration, What’s Left Behind?
An Isolated Trip
A common pitfall is treating the session like a solo event. People walk in, feel something deep, and leave without a support plan. The insight fades away or feels daunting without context.
In my research, I found a compelling 2024 randomized trial by Wilkinson et al., published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (PubMed link). This study explored what happens when you add integration therapy—specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—after ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression.
Here’s the setup: they recruited patients with severe, long-term depression who hadn’t responded to other treatments. Everyone received six IV ketamine infusions over three weeks. Then, the fun began. The researchers randomly assigned only those who showed improvement (28 out of 42) to two groups—the first received 14 weeks of CBT, while the second received standard care with no formal integration.
The difference? Real. The CBT group experienced more sustained improvement over time (F = 4.58; p = 0.033). That’s a moderate-to-large effect size—Cohen’s d = 0.71 by the 14-week follow-up.
In short? Therapy made the medicine stick.
Yet here’s an even more fascinating note: a smaller cohort underwent emotional memory tests. Those who responded to ketamine scored higher in emotional accuracy post-treatment (p < 0.05). The non-responders? No change.
Without integration, those insights risk fading into the background.
Reflection Is Non-Negotiable
Book time after your session to journal, talk to a trusted therapist and sit with your thoughts. That’s where the real processing begins.
Include integration as part of your Spravato session guide. At Felicity Mental Health, integration isn’t optional—it’s a cornerstone of our approach. Medicine opens the door; the real transformation occurs when you walk through it.
5. When You Ignore Sleep, What Follows You In?
Tired Brain, Blurry Session
Poor sleep sabotages mood, memory, and insight. Yet many patients nail down everything—except their sleep schedule.
While perusing research studies, I discovered a powerful 2021 study by Wang et al. in Psychopharmacological Reports. The team monitored 127 patients with major depression or bipolar disorder, evaluating them over six ketamine infusions across 12 days. They focused not just on mood changes but also on sleep.
Using a sleep disturbance factor from the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, they assessed how patients slept before and after ketamine. The revelation? Those who improved their sleep only 24 hours after the first infusion were far more likely to experience robust antidepressant effects at the final two follow-ups.
And there’s more. Patients whose sleep improved also showed notably higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a crucial player in neuroplasticity and emotional regulation.
The key point? If your sleep remains poor, your mood may decline as well. But if sleep improves, your chances of long-term relief soar.
Your Brain Processes More When It’s Rested
Sleep isn’t just a luxury—it acts as a co-therapist, helping encode and integrate your experience.
Prioritize Rest
Two nights before your session, start winding down early. No screens. No stress. By the time you’re in the chair, your body should already be relaxed.
This small adjustment transforms how your brain receives and processes the experience. Seeking what to do before ketamine treatment? Begin with your pillow.
So, What’s the Next Question?
You’ve prepared your body, calmed your mind, planned your setting, and gathered your support team. You’ve grasped the essence of ketamine therapy preparation—it’s not merely about paperwork or arranging a ride home.
But now what? How do you stay grounded afterward? What should you discuss with your therapist? What’s next?
At Felicity Mental Health, we eliminate the guesswork. We provide full-spectrum support—covering everything from pre-ketamine session tips to post-dose integration. Our team guides you through each stage of your journey. It’s not a one-size-fits-all protocol. It’s individualized.
Are you ready to do the real work? Let’s get going. Verify your insurance today.
