It is essential to feel comfortable and relaxed when receiving ketamine treatment. To that end, patients are encouraged to wear eyeshades and listen to relaxing music during the session. Depending on the route of administration, the effects of ketamine may occur within a couple of minutes or as late as half an hour after the dosing. What are these effects? Patients enter an altered state of consciousness, a restful trance state characterized by a pleasant heaviness and perhaps an absence of sensations. A sense of separation from the usual processing of thoughts and a loss of speech might also occur.

Because these experiences are unfamiliar, some people find certain aspects of these states of consciousness unpleasant. In addition, during the treatment or afterward, patients may experience symptoms like headaches, vertigo, uncomfortable feelings of heaviness, and nausea.

It is important to note that at this point in the session, the patient receiving ketamine intervention can still be brought out of his or her altered state and become alert. Throughout the session, as needed, a health provider will check in with the patient verbally and provide physical contact, including for measuring blood pressure. The physical contact will be limited to touching the arms and shoulders (unless there is an emergency).