How do you choose your dose for clients undergoing ketamine therapy?

Dosing is more of an art than science in the world of ketamine assisted therapy. Traditional medical model studies using IV ketamine without incorporating the set (mindset), setting, preparation, and integration of the experience used a value based on body weight. This number is often cited as 0.2mg-0.5mg/kg of body weight delivered in sustained IV over the course of approximately 45 minutes.

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The reality of the ketamine assisted therapy experience paints a much more layered, nuanced picture. One's ability to access the mystical-dissociated state that is well accepted as necessary to reap the benefits of a psychedelic experience relies on many factors. Our years of experience working with ketamine assisted therapy clients has allowed us to provide experiences for people based on their individual readiness , their mindset and their ability to let go of control into the experience.

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We help someone reach readiness through preparation sessions which are designed to cultivate relational safety, curiosity and the readiness to let go of control. We provide the space that allows someone to feel comfortable, safe and relaxed. We always have our therapists in the room, holding space and attuned to the client at all time. This relational safety is key for one to be able to feel comfortable enough to let go. We integrate the experience afterwards and stay in relationship with our client through further integration work between sessions. All of this refers to what is commonly known as set and setting in the ketamine therapy space.

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With that said the dose becomes nothing to do with weight but a factor based on the above. We use lower doses for more psycholytic ( loosening of psychological defenses and ego) which provides a time of more interactive work. We then follow with a higher dose for a psychedelic (mind-manifesting and shifts in how we perceive reality.) This is a more introspective experience.

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Each session may have a different dose based on where someone is at in their healing process that given day. Needless to say we treat this as a blend of art and science and each person will have a unique dose.

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