We provide eye masks and weighted blankets, both of which are optional but recommended. We also highly recommend noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs (if you are sound sensitive) and some layers of comfortable clothing. Having a soundtrack or playlist ready on your phone and knowledge of how to set your phone to “do not disturb” can greatly enhance your journey.
The setting for the ketamine journey will be a multiple-windowed room in our suite. Each person will have their own comfortable cushioned matt, a weighted blanket, and pillow.
Bring a fuzzy blanket, extra pillow(s), particularly if you need support for knees and back, and a journal, if desired. Please fast that morning. Clear liquids (8oz or less) like coffee or tea are fine.
Upon arrival, Leah, will check your temperature, oxygen saturation and blood pressure. You will have the option to be given a dose of oral Zofran or similar medicine to eliminate nausea, a potential, but somewhat rare, potential side effect of Ketamine. Following the quick medical check, the group will gather and settle in, share journey intentions, and have a brief group process.
After a short break, our “process room” will be transformed into the “journey room,” where we’ll replace the chairs with “nests,” padded floor mats and blankets, for each participant. Our room is small but just big enough for six people to be laying side-by-side with space for medical staff to walk between everyone. Think of a cozy yoga room, only in our case everyone will be laying still and extremely comfortable, as the medicine’s signature effect immediately starts to work.
Ketamine will be administered via intramuscular injection. Each participant’s dosage is based upon on past psychedelic experiences, weight and diagnosis. Keith and Leonardo will monitor the group during the experience. Leah (our RN) and Maureen (staff IFS therapist) will be assisting through the day and sitting in during the group. None of the staff will receive any ketamine themselves, in order to stay present to the group.
Expect to be journey inwardly in silence for 60 minutes. Afterward, we will process and share our experiences, utilizing Internal Family Systems and other treatment modalities Keith is trained in.
There will be snacks and beverages available after the journey.
Depending on how the group is responding after ketamine is wearing off, we may sit and talk about our experiences right away. Lunch will be delivered and we will take time to eat together.
Following lunch we’ll reconvene our processing circle for the remainder of the afternoon, making new connections, sharing insights, and holding space for one another to savor the unique and sacred experiences of our journeys.