Welcome to the world of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy from a client's perspective. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is still in its infancy. Unfortunately, that means there is limited information about it. If you browse online, you are likely to find ads and websites that advertise Ketamine as part of their services, yet what it actually does and how it is used to alleviate mental health issues and symptoms is nearly impossible to find. Part of this is because of the ongoing research into psychedelics and how they can benefit mental health. While there are still unknowns, the world of mental health is constantly in flux, bringing new therapies and options for those who are struggling. The difficulty I faced when seeking psychedelic-assisted treatment is the reason I started this blog.
At the moment, the drug used in psychedelic-assisted therapy is Ketamine, which comes in several different formulations. The most common forms are infusions through an IV or a lozenge, which melts under the tongue. While an IV infusion may be used to treat pain and treatment-resistant depression, a lozenge may be used to go into a dissociative state and work complex trauma out of the body's system through somatic release and therapeutic techniques. The focus of this blog will be on my experience with healing complex trauma. I will emphasize that there is a significant difference between treating complex trauma with Ketamine and treating depression or pain. Complex trauma is well complex, as its name suggests. In regards to using psychedelics for the treatment of complex trauma, science has shown us that the outcomes are often better, and the time it takes to progress is significantly shorter than traditional therapies.
Ketamine is a dissociative drug, which means it creates a dissociative state during therapy that allows a person under the influence to reach into trauma and work through it from an outside perspective. This, in turn, shifts how trauma is perceived and allows it to be less scary and triggering. While I use somatic expression to release trauma from my body, not everyone who participates in trauma therapy does. When you add the somatic aspects to the package, you get an experience of shedding the emotional bonds of trauma through the body, almost creating a spiritual expression of release. It truly is something out of this world and is, in my opinion, the best part of working through trauma with Ketamine.
During a ketamine session to treat complex trauma, it is essential to have a trauma-informed psychotherapist and that they are extensively trained in both Ketamine and trauma therapy. It is also important to have integration either during or after every session. Integration is the processing of a ketamine experience through talk therapy with a licensed psychotherapist or psychiatrist. Integration is much like a somatic experience, yet integration is an absolute must, in my opinion, and is highly recommended by those in practice.
It's important to understand that while this industry is new and exciting, the hype about Ketamine is overwhelming, and many therapists and facilities are not entirely up to par when it comes to the sensitivities of this work. The standards and regulations are still coming, and you need to research and ask questions about every facility and every therapist you consider seeing. It's equally important to understand that re-traumatization is possible during ketamine therapy and that a therapist who is experienced with treating trauma, who understands trauma, specifically complex trauma, is going to know how to navigate your particular case better than someone who is not.
Depression and pain clinics simply treat depression and pain. In a facility like this, you generally receive a low dose Ketamine infusion via IV. integration is not typically included in these types of sessions. There won't be a psychotherapist or psychologist in the room with you, and generally, you're alone, experiencing a dissociative state. Clinics like this encourage you to seek support and therapy outside of their facilities instead of providing it with the experience. For depression and pain, these types of facilities are acceptable. However, for a client with complex trauma, a place like this could end up being detrimental and retraumatizing.
Ketamine works by creating neuroplasticity in the brain. Think of the brain as a giant road map. When you have a trauma response, you're driving on the same road over and over and over. Then you introduce Ketamine, and instead of using the same road, you now have several detours or new routes to get to the same destination. All you have to do is pick one. Ketamine allows you to essentially redraw the map of your brain, allowing your trauma to take a back seat in your life because the automatic reactions are no longer there. Instead, you have freedom. These new connections or roads are possible because Ketamine in low doses affects glutamate production by increasing it. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter in the brain that impacts cell growth, memory, learning, and how the brain communicates with itself. Ketamine allows the brain to restructure and create new pathways to heal trauma. For conditions like treatment-resistant depression, Ketamine has been used to enhance and elevate moods, but what seems to be the most positive aspect of using Ketamine for depression and pain is how fast it relieves symptoms.
For my journey, none of this information was available. I dove into psychology today, looking for psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin in mind. I had no idea Ketamine was even considered a psychedelic. Once I did, the information about what it was and how it worked was significantly limited. I eventually found my therapist by accident. I hope that by sharing my perspectives and experiences, this blog can be used to help others find resources and support for their unique needs. I also hope that sharing my story of healing from complex trauma may help those considering Ketamine to understand what it really is, what it's like to experience, and understand it's hard; it will test you to your limits, but it's worth it.
