Side Effects of Ketamine: What to Know Before Treatment
Ketamine is being increasingly used to treat a range of mental health conditions. If you’re considering ketamine therapy, it’s natural to have questions about the potential side effects and whether the benefits outweigh the risks. In this article, we’ll outline the physical and psychological effects you may experience and explain what to expect from ketamine treatment.
Physical Side Effects of Ketamine
Ketamine therapy can have physical side effects, though they are mostly temporary and wear off once the drug effects are over. According to Oxford Health, common physical side effects of ketamine can include:
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headahce
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- Tinnitus (a ringing in the ears)
- Blurred vision
- Mild sedation or fatigue
These effects usually pass shortly after the session ends. However, some people may continue to feel tired for the rest of the day after treatment. In addition, intravenous (IV) infusions can cause bruises that can take around a week to disappear.
At higher doses, more serious physical effects can occur, such as pronounced changes in heart rhythm, suppressed breathing and loss of awareness. At Emerge our low-dose protocol makes these kinds of risks extremely rare. We also screen patients who may be more at-risk of side effects, for instance, those with certain cardiovascular conditions.
Mental Side Effects of Ketamine
Broadly, the main mental side effects associated with ketamine include:
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- Dissociation – A feeling of being detached from you body and surroundings
- Altered perception – Sounds, sights and spatial orientation may feel different to usual
- Feeling “drunk”
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Ego dissolution – The boundaries of self and your surroundings can start to dissapate
Like with the physical effects, mental side effects are typically more prominent with higher doses. High doses can cause people to have full out-of-body experiences, and they may feel like they enter other realms, or planes of reality. Typically, anxiety and paranoia are more likley when ketamine is used outside the theraputic dose range.
Ketamine’s mental side effects are complicated as some of the effects deemed to be a side effect, can also be essential for psychological healing. While dissociation can be unusual and sometimes unnerving, patients report it helps them detatch from cycles of negative thinking. While reality may feel different, patients say this altered perception helps them re-evaluate important aspects of their life, gaining new insights and perspectives.
Another nuanced “side effect” of ketamine is the uncovering of repressed memories. Sometimes during or after a treatment sessions, patients may recollect memories that they’ve buried in their subconscious. This can be profoundly healing, helping them understand the potential impact of these life experiences and providing an opportunity to change their mark. However, it can also be re-traumatizing, which is why it’s essential to have strong therapeutic support alongside ketamine treatment.
Risk of Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine is a drug of abuse and has the potential for misuse, particularly if taken outside a clinical setting. When administered in a controlled, supervised environment like Emerge, the risk is very low, and our protocols are designed to minimize it. However, if you have an addictive tendency, you should be careful about whether or not to have ketamine therapy, especially if you’ve had substance abuse issues with ketamine before.
You can always get in touch with our team to book a call if you’re unsure about whether this treatment would be suitable for you.
Ketamine’s Impact on the Bladder
When ketamine is broken down in the body, it’s metabolites travel into the bladder and can irritate and damage the bladder lining. This increases the chance of cystitis (bladder infections), and affects the bladder function. Symptoms can range from an increased need to urinate through to extreme bladder pain. In severe cases, there have been reports of permanent incontinence related to ketamine use.
Bladder problems are mostly related to recreational use, as damage typically occurs as a result of frequent high doses. However, there have been reports of bladder issues lined to therapeutic use. For instance, one women presented with ketamine-induced cystitis linked to treatment for depresison.
With a low-dose treatment protocol at Emerge, we work to mitagate any potential harms of ketamine, including bladder issues. We also screen patients with a history of bladder problems.
Supporting Your Safety at Emerge
At Emerge Ketamine Clinic in Boston, patient safety is our top priority. We provide a supportive environment where you can feel safe and secure and our expert staff are highly trained to ensure your physical safety. During treatments, they will closely monitor you and adjust the doses according to your response, to make sure your vital signs stay in a safe range.
If you want to understand anything else about the side effets and potential risks of ketamine, our staff will gladly take a call and answer any questions or concerns you may have. Be sure to book a call via our website.