If your social media feed looks anything like mine lately, you’ve probably noticed something: psychedelics are having a moment. From Silicon Valley executives microdosing mushrooms to celebrities discussing ayahuasca retreats, it seems like everyone is exploring psychedelic substances. But just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

KAP allows psychotherapy to take place while the brain is in a more flexible and open state. Ketamine softens defenses and loosens the grip of negative thought patterns. Insights that once felt unreachable become clear. Emotions that were too painful to face can be processed safely and with courage. With a trained therapist present, patients can use this experience to build new meaning and healthier responses to life’s challenges.

This is what we clinically recognize as a religious or spiritual trauma, a rupture to one’s internal experience of safety, belonging, and self-definition. The trauma is not just from the strictness or rules themselves, it’s from the loss of the relational world that once provided identity, safety, belonging, and meaning. When belief dissolves or a person leaves the community, the nervous system loses its orientation point, and that rupture — the sudden absence of connection, coherence, and grounding — is what becomes the wound.

However, ketamine is not appropriate for every situation or every patient. Safe, ethical ketamine treatment requires recognizing when to prescribe, and just as importantly, when not to.

This guide explains the medical and psychiatric scenarios where I would not prescribe ketamine, and why those boundaries exist.

Ketamine-assisted therapy is widely recognized for its ability to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related distress. However, a subset of patients also report experiences that fall into the category of non-ordinary states of consciousness. These states are often characterized by a sense of interconnectedness, emotional clarity, awareness, or what many describe simply as oneness.

Ketamine’s versatility is one of the reasons it has become such an important therapy for mood and pain conditions.
Different ways of giving ketamine, known as routes of administration, affect how quickly it works, how long it lasts, and what safety measures are needed.

Ketamine has quickly become one of the most promising treatments for depression, anxiety, and chronic pain when other approaches fall short. But not all ketamine is the same. If you’ve researched treatment options, you’ve probably seen terms like “S-ketamine,” “R-ketamine,” or “racemic ketamine.”

During a ketamine session, many patients experience powerful emotions or realizations. Without integration, those insights may fade as the mind returns to old routines. With consistent reflection and support, they can take root and lead to lasting improvements in mood, behavior, and self-awareness. Integration transforms moments of insight into steady personal growth.

At Discreet Ketamine, one of the most common questions we hear from patients is:

“I’m already taking X medication — is it safe to combine it with ketamine?”

This is an important question.

The “K-hole” refers to a profound dissociative experience characterized by detachment from bodily awareness, alterations in perception of time and space, and immersion into symbolic or visionary states of consciousness. Patients frequently report sensations of ego dissolution, experiences of floating or traveling outside the body, and exposure to vivid imagery that may feel spiritual or transformative.

Nasal ketamine has emerged on the scene as a powerful tool in the management of treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain syndromes. As one of the most innovative methods of ketamine administration, it offers convenience and effectiveness, catering to various patient needs.

While ketamine’s primary mechanism in mental health treatment involves the modulation of glutamate and NMDA receptors in the brain, it’s the subjective experiences, often described as "psychedelic effects", that fascinate and sometimes surprise patients the most.

One of the key factors that make Ketamine treatment so promising is its impact on neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's remarkable ability to rewire itself, forming new neural connections and adapting to changing circumstances. Ketamine has been found to stimulate the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that plays a critical role in promoting neuroplasticity.

Telemedicine, powered by digital technology, presents an array of solutions, from automated, self-guided care to remote consultations with clinicians via video. Research has shown that it can effectively deliver evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression.

RDT’s are designed to disintegrate quickly in the mouth, often within seconds, without the need for water. They offer several advantages, including convenience and improved patient compliance, making them particularly useful for pediatric and geriatric populations. These tablets disintegrate when they come into contact with saliva, and the drug is then held in the mouth for oral absorption or swallowed for intestinal absorption.

Among available formulations, intravenous (IV) and sublingual ketamine are two of the most effective and commonly prescribed routes. This article explores their pharmacology, benefits, and side-effect profiles to help patients and clinicians make informed decisions about which approach best fits their needs.

Ketamine's known history began in the early 1960s when Dr. Calvin Stevens and his team at Parke-Davis embarked on a journey to develop a novel anesthetic. Their aim was to create a safer alternative to phencyclidine (PCP), which, while effective, had severe side effects and neurotoxicity. After years of research, the team synthesized ketamine in 1962.‍ ‍

Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has gained attention in recent years for its potential in treating various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While the use of ketamine in these treatments shows promise, it's crucial to be aware of the potential risks and side effects associated with its use.

Regular physical activity not only benefits your body but also your mind. Exercise releases endorphins, natural mood lifters that reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, boost self-esteem, and improve sleep quality. Engaging in activities you enjoy, whether it's a daily walk, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts, can be a powerful stress buster.

When ready, take the prescribed ketamine tablet and place it under your tongue. Ketamine tablets are designed to dissolve, so try to keep it in your mouth for as long as possible. The taste may be challenging, and saliva may accumulate, leading to unintentional swallowing. Spitting out the residue after 10 minutes may help reduce nausea. Some choose to swallow the residue which will prolong the effect.