Ketamine

Over a year ago I decided to try Ketamine intravenous (IV) infusion to help “reset” my brain that was stuck in fight or flight mode for the last 6 years. I had done all of the therapy it helped me work through everything. But even a little trigger or anxiety that I should have been able to shack off my mind/body connection took me to a 10 no matter what. And with the family going to Costa Rica I wanted to zip line with the family and not crawl out my skin with anxiety while doing it.

I called and chatted with a few offices after researching the benefits extensively of how Ketamine can help you create new pathways and ignite parts of your brain that have been inactive because I was constantly in my limbic region. One of the main reasons I wanted to do ketamine as a psychedelic therapy treatment was the fact that once the ketamine is not being administered the effects of the drugs are done within 15/20 minutes. So if I did not like the way it felt and wanted to stop I can right then and with others you have to ride it out no matter what. I landed with Luma Health and Wellness in Solana Beach. They were great and I trusted them. I purchased the package of 6 that they recommended with the option to purchase maintenance sessions later.

In my first session, I had the nurse sit with me. I was super nervous and did not know what to expect. Their rooms were very warm and calming. I sat in a reclined chair with a weighted blanket and eye mask. They inserted a small IV catheter in my arm for the ketamine to be administered at a slow, controlled rate. I also asked for nausea medicine in case I started to feel sick. The treatment lasted 40 minutes and was very relaxing. I never truly let myself go into the treatment and chatted with my nurse the whole time while she monitored my vitals. It felt as if I had a few cocktails.

My second session was A LOT different! This time I went for it! At Luma they also pair the ketamine treatment with a music program called Wavepaths which offers a unique approach to music experiences, generating music in real-time by mixing unique phrases, tones, and compositions. I was able to say the type of journey I wanted and the level of intensity. When I laid back and put the music on I experienced dissociation and was in a dreamlike state. I felt out of my body and was ready for the journey.

I felt like I was in the movie Avatar. When I let go, the colors were blue and green. You felt a calm and also a wave of emotions. But when I tried to control the journey and work on certain things the colors went to browns and yellows. So I took a deep breath and let go of control and the colors came back in like a roller coaster ride. Blues and greens and a beautiful feeling made me feel that when I let go of control in life and give it to God life will be even better.

Once the treatment was over Logan drove me home and I journaled about my session. My feelings and what my subconscious was trying to work through. Some people choose to partner their treatment up with therapy which is a great decision if you have not done the work already.

I went five more times before my trip. Every treatment was very different from the last. I had reset my mind. The anxiety and thoughts would still come but I was able to shake them off way more. But the big test, if this treatment had helped, was if I actually zip lined. Well, I am happy to say that I did!!! Going up the tram to the platform my mind was saying no way but my body was able to handle it without feeling out of control. I did the first zip line and God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit could hear me praying the whole time! But I did it!!

Ketamine treatment does not work for everyone. But I feel that if you are interested in it and nothing else has helped the way you would want it to then you should give it a try!