Step inside a ketamine therapy session for depression, from the patient’s point of view. In this episode of Talking Ketamine (episode 13), we look at the immediate personal experience, drawing on a qualitative study published in 2021. This study interviewed 13 people with treatment-resistant depression about what it was like during and right after their ketamine infusions.

Participants described initial sensations during the infusion including a feeling like a high, enhanced perception (sounds and sights more intense, colors more vibrant), and dissociation, sometimes feeling detached or having an out-of-body experience. Many also felt very relaxed, even sleepy.

In the hours and days following the infusion, many reported a significant uplifted feeling and a real brightened mood. They described feeling bright, using phrases like having  ...