What Are the Possible Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine-assisted therapy, while generally safe under medical supervision, can produce a range of side effects that patients and clinicians should be aware of before beginning treatment.

Possible Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy:

• Dissociative effects: Patients commonly experience feelings of detachment from their body or surroundings, altered perception of time and space, and a sense of being in a dreamlike state during treatment sessions. These effects are typically temporary and resolve within hours of administration.
• Cardiovascular changes: Ketamine can cause temporary increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which is why cardiovascular monitoring is essential during treatment sessions, particularly for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
• Nausea and vomiting: Gastrointestinal discomfort is a relatively common side effect, though it can often be minimized through pre-treatment fasting and the use of anti-nausea medications when necessary.
• Cognitive and perceptual disturbances: Patients may experience confusion, difficulty concentrating, visual or auditory distortions, and temporary memory impairment during and shortly after ketamine administration.
• Psychological discomfort: Some individuals may experience anxiety, fear, or emotionally challenging content during sessions, which is why psychological support and a safe therapeutic environment are crucial components of ketamine-assisted therapy.
• Dizziness and coordination problems: Physical balance and motor coordination can be temporarily impaired, requiring patients to avoid driving or operating machinery for several hours after treatment.
• Bladder issues: With repeated long-term use at high doses, ketamine has been associated with urinary tract problems, though this is rare in therapeutic contexts with limited, supervised administration.

How Do Clinicians Ensure Safety During Sessions?

Clinicians conduct thorough medical and psychiatric evaluations before beginning ketamine-assisted treatment, including reviewing medical history, current medications, cardiovascular health, and mental health conditions to identify any contraindications or risk factors that might make ketamine therapy unsafe or inappropriate. Sessions take place in dedicated medical settings equipped with monitoring equipment, emergency medical supplies, and trained staff who can respond quickly to any adverse reactions or medical emergencies that may arise during treatment.

Medical professionals carefully calculate and administer ketamine doses based on individual patient factors such as weight, medical history, and previous response to treatment, starting with lower doses when appropriate and adjusting gradually to find the optimal therapeutic level while minimizing risks. A trained therapist or clinician remains present throughout the entire session to provide emotional support, help patients navigate challenging psychological experiences, ensure they feel safe, and assist with grounding techniques if dissociative effects become distressing.

Treatment facilities maintain established emergency response procedures, have reversal agents and resuscitation equipment readily available, and ensure that physicians or emergency medical personnel can be accessed immediately if serious complications arise. Patients are supervised in a comfortable recovery area after ketamine administration until the acute effects have subsided, vital signs have stabilized, and clinicians have confirmed they can safely leave the facility, typically with arrangements for transportation home rather than driving themselves.