Ketamine Curious?
Your FAQ About Ketamine Therapy, Answered
At Sea to Summit Psychiatry, we get it: ketamine-assisted therapy can sound like both a medical breakthrough and a mystery novel. If you're ketamine-curious and Googling your way through questions like “Does ketamine therapy get you high?” or “How long does ketamine last?”—you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve rounded up answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about ketamine therapy, so you can feel informed and empowered as you consider this path for treatment.
Is ketamine a psychedelic?
Short answer: yes, but it’s a little different than most.
Ketamine is considered a dissociative anesthetic with psychedelic properties. Unlike classical psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD, which primarily affect serotonin receptors, ketamine primarily works on the NMDA receptor and glutamate pathways in the brain. That means the experience can feel floaty, or out-of-body—but often with less of the visual fireworks.
We can refer to it as a “dissociative psychedelic,” which is basically the approachable cousin in the psychedelic family who still shows up with deep insights. When talking about our internal world - dissociation can often be a challenging thing — it can be distressing to become completely disconnected from ourselves. However, with ketamine treatment, the dissociation is actually helpful. The newfound space from your own internal world can help you face and work through things that otherwise might have been too difficult to confront. You may also recall memories that were previously buried and inaccessible to your conscious thoughts. Things or emotions that may have been stuck can become ‘unstuck.’
Does ketamine therapy get you high?
Let’s put it this way: you’re not here for the party.
In a therapeutic setting, low-dose ketamine is used intentionally and with medical supervision. Yes, you may feel altered—like time is slowing down, your body feels lighter, or thoughts take on a new shape. But this isn't the same as recreational use. The goal is insight, healing, and emotional processing—not getting “high.”
A session with ketamine can allow you to experience yourself and the world in a completely new way. We like to call it conscious transformation with a side of neuroplasticity. So you may be able to face deep fears or past traumas. This can take a lot of energy. An ideal setting is usually one where you can lie down, set the day’s worries aside, and be in a space that helps you feel as safe as possible. At home treatment with ketamine can be an ideal way for you to shift your perspective, transform, and bring powerful insights to your life.
How long does ketamine last?
That depends on how it's administered:
IV or IM (infusion or injection): Effects usually kick in within a few minutes and last about 40 to 60 minutes.
Lozenges (oral ketamine): Effects may take longer to start (20–40 minutes) and last 60 to 90 minutes.
Nasal spray: Onset is 5-10 minutes, and effects last around 45 to 90 minutes.
Keep in mind that the therapeutic effects—like reduced depression or anxiety—can last days or even weeks after a single session, especially when paired with integration therapy.
How long do ketamine side effects last?
Most side effects are only short-term, mild, and wear off within a few hours. Most people feel fully grounded by the next day.
The short-term side effects may include:
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Nausea
Fatigue
Visual or sensory distortion
Feeling emotionally “open” or sensitive
After a session you will need to avoid driving and not make any big life decisions. You probably don’t want to impulse-buy a parrot online while your brain’s still floating in the cosmos.
A 2021 review in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that when administered responsibly, ketamine’s safety profile is comparable to other psychiatric medications—just with a little more cosmic flavor.
How long do ketamine infusion side effects last?
While this clinic doesn’t provide ketamine infusions at this time, it can be helpful to discuss the differences. Sometimes, the short term side effects can be even shorter with an infusion. However, the standard practice is to require someone else to drive you home after at least 2 hours.
If you instead go the at-home ketamine route, you’re already home, often making this a more convenient experience. You can then save your energy and focus on your mental health growth.
What are the long-term side effects of ketamine?
In clinical settings, when ketamine is used at therapeutic doses and under supervision, long-term side effects are rare.
Concerns about bladder issues and cognitive problems come mostly from chronic, frequent, high-dose recreational use—not from medically supervised treatment. Still, it’s something we monitor carefully. At Sea to Summit Psychiatry, we prioritize evidence-based protocols and regular check-ins to ensure your treatment remains safe and effective over time.
How long does ketamine treatment take?
A typical course of ketamine therapy includes:
An initial consult and preparation sessions
A series of 3-12 ketamine experiences, spaced over 2-8 weeks
Ongoing integration therapy, where insights are processed and applied
Every journey is unique. Some people feel noticeable relief after one or two sessions. Others benefit from a longer arc of treatment, depending on their history, goals, and symptoms.
How long does ketamine pain relief last?
While this clinic focuses on the mental health benefits, pain does of course affect our mental health! Additionally, there are many types of pain. For example, if you break your foot and go to the emergency room, you might receive ketamine, but ketamine isn’t an ideal option for managing your broken foot pain in the weeks following.
However, there are some types of chronic pain where ketamine may be helpful. Chronic pain can severely impact quality of life, so improving it is all the more important. Ketamine has shown good results for complex regional pain syndrome and also some positive results for fibromyalgia pain. For patients that find pain relief, the benefit can last a few days to several weeks, depending on the condition and response.
A study published in Pain Physician (2013) found that repeated ketamine infusions significantly reduced pain for several weeks in patients with treatment-resistant pain disorders.
How long does ketamine nasal spray last?
The effects of ketamine nasal spray usually starts working within 5-10 minutes, with the more intense part of the session lasting 30-45 minutes, and then you usually feel back to yourself within 2-3 hours.
People typically begin with sessions 1-2x/week for the first month, then taper to weekly or biweekly depending on response and the therapy goals.
What does oral ketamine cost?
Prices vary depending on pharmacy, provider, dosage, and whether integration therapy is included.
Ketamine is not available at your usual pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens. Each prescription is custom prepared at compounding pharmacies. Depending on your dose, the cost per session usually ends up being around $10-15 for ketamine nasal spray or lozenges. It’s important to separately budget for visits with your mental health professionals.
Final Thoughts
Being curious about ketamine is a good thing. This medicine has opened new doors for people navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic pain. And while there’s still research to be done, the results so far are promising, safe, and full of possibility—especially when guided with care.
Still Ketamine Curious? Let’s Talk.
At Sea to Summit Psychiatry, we’re here to answer your questions—no pressure, no weird vibes. Just real support and evidence-based care.
Schedule your free introductory call here to learn whether ketamine-assisted therapy could be the next right step on your healing journey.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2021). A randomized controlled trial of repeated ketamine administration for chronic PTSD. The American Journal of Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.20091345
Gupta, A., Devi, L. A., & Gomes, I. (2011). Potentiation of μ-opioid receptor-mediated signaling by ketamine. Journal of Neurochemistry, 119(2), 294–302. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07427.x
McGirr, A., Berlim, M. T., Bond, D. J., Fleck, M. P., Yatham, L. N., & Lam, R. W. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of ketamine in the rapid treatment of major depressive episodes. Psychological Medicine, 45(4), 693–704. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291714001603
Schatzberg, A. F. (2014). A word to the wise about ketamine. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(3), 262–264. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13101427
Schindler, F., & Gottschalk, M. G. (2021). Ketamine and esketamine in depression: A review of current evidence. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 11, 204512532110183. https://doi.org/10.1177/20451253211018329
Sigtermans, M. J., van Hilten, J. J., Bauer, M. C., Arbous, M. S., Marinus, J., Sarton, E. Y., & Dahan, A. (2009). Ketamine produces effective and long-term pain relief in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1. Pain, 145(3), 304–311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2009.06.023
Visser, E., & Schug, S. A. (2013). The role of ketamine in pain management. Pain Physician, 16(3), 255–265. https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MjM4Ng%3D%3D&journal=77
