During a ketamine infusion, a low dose of ketamine (typically 0.5 mg/kg) is delivered through an IV line over approximately 40 minutes while you recline in a comfortable treatment room. You remain conscious throughout but may experience dissociation, altered perceptions, and a dreamlike state. A clinical team monitors your vital signs continuously. After the infusion, you rest in the clinic for 1 to 2 hours until the acute effects subside. The entire appointment typically takes 2 to 3 hours from arrival to discharge.
Before the Infusion
When you arrive, a clinician reviews your medical history and current medications, then records baseline vital signs -- blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. Most clinics advise avoiding food for 2 to 4 hours before treatment to reduce nausea risk. You will be seated in a reclining chair or bed in a private treatment room, often with eye masks and headphones with calming music available.
During the 40-Minute Infusion
An IV catheter is placed, typically in the hand or forearm, and the ketamine solution is administered through an infusion pump that controls the precise delivery rate. Effects usually begin within the first 5 to 10 minutes.
Common experiences during the infusion include a feeling of floating or lightness, altered sense of time, visual changes such as enhanced colors or softened edges, mild euphoria or emotional openness, and a sense of detachment from your surroundings. These dissociative effects are a normal part of the treatment and vary in intensity from person to person.
Vital signs are checked at regular intervals -- typically every 15 minutes -- throughout the infusion. Blood pressure commonly rises by 15 to 25 mmHg systolic, which is expected and monitored. Nausea occurs in approximately 15 to 30 percent of patients and can be managed with antiemetics if needed.
After the Infusion
Once the infusion is complete, you remain in the clinic for a monitoring period of 1 to 2 hours. The dissociative effects typically fade within 60 to 90 minutes after the infusion ends. Vital signs are rechecked to confirm they have returned to an acceptable range before discharge.
You will not be allowed to drive yourself home -- a pre-arranged ride is required. Most clinics recommend resting for the remainder of the day. Driving and operating machinery are restricted for 24 hours. Many patients report feeling emotionally lighter or noticing the beginning of mood improvement later that day or the following morning.
For a complete guide to ketamine therapy from evaluation through long-term treatment, see the Complete Guide to Low-Dose Ketamine Therapy.
References
- PubMed: Consensus Statement on IV Ketamine for Depression — APA task force recommendations including infusion protocols and monitoring standards
- Mayo Clinic: Treatment-Resistant Depression — Mayo Clinic overview of ketamine as a treatment option
- MedlinePlus: Ketamine Injection — National Library of Medicine patient drug information for ketamine
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