Ketamine therapy has emerged as the next big breakthrough treatment for depression, PTSD, and chronic pain. But there’s an overarching question: Does ketamine therapy get you high? It’s not a black-and-white question. Ketamine, although it can cause a dissociative numbness or an ecstatic high, is administered and controlled in a medical setting precisely where it is safest, and its treatment effects maximized. Here’s a look at how ketamine therapy works, why its “high” is different from recreational use, and what patients actually experience.
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that has proven sensationally successful at treating mental health disorders in small doses. Administered through IV infusion, nasal sprays or lozenges in clinical settings, ketamine therapy targets brain receptors associated with mood regulation. Unlike conventional antidepressants, which can take weeks to have an effect, ketamine typically brings relief quickly — often within hours.
The Case for Ketamine Therapy Vs Recreational Ketamine Use
The expression “get high” is commonly associated with recreational ketamine use, in which people take high doses for their hallucinogenic effects. To put it another way, medical ketamine therapy is organized quite differently:
Controlled Environment:
- Clinics give accurate, sub-anesthetic doses in a medical setting.
- Monitoring vital signs for safety.
Dosage Matters:
- Therapeutic doses are much lower than recreational doses.)
- The point is to activate neuroplasticity, not achieve a long-lasting “high.”
Intentional Use:
- Casual users want to escape; patients want to stop feeling bad.
Do Patients Experience a “High” With Ketamine Therapy?
Some patients experience mild dissociative sensations — such as floating or a change in perception — while in a session. But these effects are transient (15–60 minutes) and different from the extreme, erratic highs of street ketamine. Clinicians stress that dissociation isn’t the aim; it’s a byproduct that tends to fade with repeated sessions.
Why Treatment Doesn’t Focus on the “High”
- Euphoria Under Neuroplasticity:
The real power of ketamine comes from its ability to heal neural pathways, allowing the brain to “reset” and heal from trauma or depression.
- Non-addictive Long-term Perks:
Ketamine therapy has a low risk of addiction when administered as prescribed. Clinics have strict protocols in place to prevent abuse.
Safety and Side Effects
While ketamine therapy is relatively safe, potential side effects include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Transitory fluctuations in blood pressure
These are heavily managed by health care providers. Communicating openly with your clinician helps ensure a good experience.
FAQs: Answering Some Typical Questions
Q: Is ketamine therapy addictive?
A: There is a very low risk to use under supervision for medical purposes. Addiction is most common among those who use it for recreation, frequently and/or unsupervised.
Q. How long do the effects of one session last?
A: Dissociative sensations wear off relatively quickly, but mood-improving effects can last for days to weeks, depending on the patient.
Q: Who should not do ketamine therapy?
Q: Who shouldn’t take it without first checking with their doctor?
The Bottom Line: Ketamine Therapy is Healing-Based, Not Enjoyment-Based
So does ketamine therapy make you high? Though ephemeral dissociative effects may appear, it is a relief from suffering — not a thrill — that the treatment provides. Under the supervision of professionals, ketamine brings promise to people resistant to a seriatum of conventional therapies. Consult a licensed provider to discuss whether it’s right for you.
