man relaxing on the weekend

Between Ketamine Infusion Therapy Sessions: Guidance from the Experts

/in ,

One of the most common questions we receive from patients is: “What can I do between Ketamine Infusion Therapy sessions to help the treatment work better?” It’s an excellent question—and a very important one.

Ketamine is a powerful tool in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain, but it is not a magic bullet. While the infusions often produce rapid symptom relief, the long-term healing comes from what we do with that newfound openness and mental flexibility. In short, the time between your sessions is just as vital as the session itself.

Here are several strategies and practices we encourage patients to consider integrating into their daily lives to support, deepen, and sustain the positive effects of Ketamine Infusion Therapy.

1. Engage in Integration Therapy

At our clinic, we provide all patients with referrals to skilled integration therapists as part of their treatment plan. These therapists specialize in helping individuals process and make sense of the insights, emotions, and experiences that can emerge during and after a ketamine session.

Why is this important?

Ketamine can unlock emotional content that may have been inaccessible for years. It can produce shifts in perspective or allow patients to revisit traumatic memories from a safer, more objective vantage point. Integration therapy provides a space to work through these experiences, find meaning in them, and turn insights into action.

Therapy doesn’t just reinforce your progress—it can amplify it. Whether you’re undergoing talk therapy, somatic therapy, EMDR, or working with a mindfulness-based therapist, integration ensures that your healing journey continues beyond our clinic.

2. Commit to a Consistent Sleep Routine

Sleep is foundational to mental health. It’s when your brain consolidates memories, regulates emotions, and restores its chemical balance. Poor sleep habits can dull the effects of ketamine and, worse, contribute to a relapse in depression and anxiety symptoms.

Here are a few sleep hygiene tips we share with all patients:

  • Stick to a consistent sleep and wake time—even on weekends.
  • Avoid screens (such as phones, computers, and TVs) for at least an hour before bed.
  • Make your bedroom a cool, dark, quiet sanctuary.
  • Avoid caffeine after 2 PM.
  • Consider incorporating a wind-down routine, such as meditation, reading, or a warm bath.

Prioritizing quality sleep isn’t just good self-care—it’s part of your treatment.

3. Practice Daily Mindfulness or Meditation

Ketamine quiets the default mode network in the brain—the part responsible for rumination, self-criticism, and anxious thought loops. Meditation does the same. In fact, many of the brain changes induced by ketamine are similar to those achieved by long-term mindfulness practice.

Even just 10 minutes a day of focused breathing or guided meditation can help stabilize your mood, reduce reactivity, and keep you grounded between ketamine infusion therapy sessions.

Apps like Calm, Insight Timer, or Headspace can serve as a helpful starting point, or you may prefer to work with a mindfulness coach or a group.

Remember: the goal isn’t to empty your mind. It’s to observe your thoughts with curiosity and compassion—just like you may have experienced during your infusion.

4. Make Movement a Priority

You don’t have to become a marathon runner, but gentle, consistent physical movement has been proven to enhance mood and support neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new, healthier pathways.

Some options include:

  • Walking outside in nature
  • Gentle yoga or stretching
  • Dancing to music at home
  • Strength training or aerobic exercise

If you’re struggling with motivation (as many patients with depression do), start small. A 5-minute walk around the block can be a success. The key is consistency over intensity.

5. Reevaluate Nutrition and Hydration

While ketamine works on the brain’s glutamate system, it also sets the stage for improved overall health. Proper nutrition can help support your body and mind through the healing process.

Here are a few basics I often suggest:

  • Eat balanced meals with whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
  • Stay hydrated with water—aim for 8 to 10 cups per day.
  • Minimize alcohol, processed sugars, and ultra-processed foods, all of which can worsen inflammation and mood instability.
  • Consider supplementing (with your doctor’s approval) with omega-3 fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, or magnesium.

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Start with small, manageable shifts—progress over perfection.

6. Journal Your Experiences

Many patients find it helpful to journal after each ketamine session—and throughout the weeks in between. Writing things down can:

  • Help you remember important emotional insights from your infusion
  • Clarify what you’re feeling and why
  • Create a record of your progress, which is especially helpful on tough days

You might begin with a simple prompt, such as “What came up for me today?“ or “What do I want to remember from my last session?”

Journaling doesn’t need to be eloquent or lengthy—it just needs to be honest.

7. Create a Supportive Environment

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether it’s a close friend, a support group, or a family member who understands what you’re going through, surrounding yourself with people who affirm your journey can make all the difference.

If you don’t currently have a strong support network, we can help connect you with online and in-person communities of individuals undergoing similar treatments. You are not alone.

8. Set Intentions (Not Expectations)

Before each ketamine session—and in the days between—try setting a gentle intention.

This could be something like:

  • “I remain open to whatever comes.“
  • “I trust the process of healing.”
  • “I give myself permission to rest.”

Intentions help guide your awareness without the pressure of outcomes. Ketamine therapy is a nonlinear process. There will be ups and downs, and that’s okay. Setting intentions helps anchor you in the present.

Final Thoughts

What you do between Ketamine Infusion Therapy sessions matters. These days, weeks, and months are when the fundamental transformation takes root. Think of ketamine as the key that opens the door—and the tools above as the path you walk through it.

Our role at the clinic is to provide safe, effective, medically guided care. Your role is to engage with the healing process in your own life—at your own pace and in your own way.

If you ever feel stuck, uncertain, or in need of additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to walk this journey with you, every step of the way.