For many people, the decision to pursue ketamine therapy comes after years of trying other treatments and arriving at a point of openness to something different. By the time patients call our Sedona ketamine treatment clinic, they may have read studies, heard others’ experiences, and wondered what an infusion will actually feel like.
At Revitalize Ketamine Clinic, our goal during consultation is to help every patient arrive informed, prepared, and as comfortable as possible. Understanding what to expect — from the intake evaluation through recovery after treatment — can make a new clinical experience feel more manageable. For additional background, read where ketamine comes from and how it has been used medically.
The Consultation and Intake Process
Your journey at Revitalize Ketamine Clinic in Sedona begins before the infusion room. The first step is a comprehensive intake consultation, during which we review your medical and psychiatric history, current medications, previous treatment history, and the symptoms or conditions that brought you to us.
This evaluation helps determine whether IV ketamine treatment may be appropriate, identifies considerations that may affect safety, and provides a foundation for individualized treatment planning. A thorough assessment, informed consent process, medication review, and discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and expectations are important components of responsible ketamine care (APNA, 2023; Parikh et al., 2021).
During consultation, ask every question you have. Your provider can explain the infusion process, common temporary effects, realistic expectations, and practical considerations such as transportation and cost. Ketamine’s psychiatric uses are off-label, meaning the medication is FDA-approved as an anesthetic while its use for mood disorders is supported by a growing but still evolving research base (Sanacora et al., 2017).
A complete medical history is important. Uncontrolled hypertension, active psychosis, certain substance-use concerns, unstable cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, and other factors may affect candidacy (APNA, 2023). For more on what to look for during evaluation, review our patient guide to finding a ketamine clinic.
Preparing for Your First Infusion
Once you have completed intake and your provider confirms that treatment is appropriate, your team will give you individualized preparation instructions. Follow the clinic’s guidance about food and drinks, medications, alcohol or other substances, and transportation. Do not rely on generic online preparation advice in place of your own provider’s instructions.
Wear comfortable clothing and arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home. Responsible ketamine-infusion practice includes discharge with an appropriate driver or caregiver after recovery (APNA, 2023).
One common concern is the dissociative experience, or the temporary altered state that ketamine can produce. This concern is understandable. The experience can feel unfamiliar, and people respond differently. Your clinical team will discuss what may occur, answer your questions, and remain available throughout treatment. To learn more about how sessions are structured, see our overview of how ketamine therapy works at Revitalize Ketamine Clinic.
What Happens During the Infusion
At Revitalize Ketamine Clinic in Sedona, IV ketamine infusions for psychiatric indications typically last about 40 minutes. You will be seated or reclined in a comfortable treatment space. An IV line is placed, and your provider determines the appropriate dose and infusion plan based on your clinical evaluation.
During treatment, clinical staff monitor vital signs and your response. Standard infusion-care considerations include monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, and dissociative effects (APNA, 2023).
Patients may experience altered perceptions, changes in their sense of time, dreamlike thoughts, or a feeling of detachment from ordinary surroundings. Some people find the experience reflective, while others simply find it unfamiliar. You do not need to perform or achieve anything during an infusion. Let your provider know if you feel uncomfortable or need support.
Some patients choose to use music or an eye mask during treatment. Discuss any comfort preferences with your clinical team in advance.
Immediately After the Infusion
After the infusion ends, you will remain in the clinic for recovery. Patients should return to an appropriate baseline level of alertness and no longer be experiencing significant dissociative effects before discharge (APNA, 2023).
It is common to feel tired, reflective, or emotionally open afterward. Recovery varies, so plan for a lower-demand remainder of the day and follow all discharge instructions from your provider. You should not drive yourself home after treatment.
Some patients find it helpful to give themselves quiet time after an infusion. Journaling, resting, or spending gentle time outdoors may feel meaningful when consistent with your provider’s guidance. Sedona’s natural surroundings can offer a peaceful setting for reflection, but there is no required way to process a session.
What the Following Days May Bring
Clinical response to IV ketamine varies considerably. Some people notice symptom changes early in treatment, while others notice more gradual changes over the course of a series. Others may not respond to the initial series. In a controlled trial involving treatment-resistant major depression, some participants experienced improvement within 24 hours after a single infusion, but individual response and duration of benefit varied (Murrough et al., 2013).
At Revitalize, a typical initial series consists of six infusions over two to three weeks, followed by clinical reassessment. Your provider will discuss whether maintenance infusions, other psychiatric support, or changes to your broader care plan may be appropriate.
For practical information about self-pay treatment and available options, see our Arizona ketamine access and coverage guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast before my first ketamine infusion?
Your provider will give you specific instructions about food and fluids before treatment. Follow those instructions closely, and ask the clinic if anything is unclear.
Can I listen to music during my infusion?
Some patients use calming music or an eye mask during treatment. Discuss your preferences with your clinical team before the appointment.
Will I feel scared or panicked during the infusion?
Experiences vary. It is normal to feel anxious about an unfamiliar treatment. Talk with your provider about your concerns before treatment, and let the clinical team know if you need support during the infusion.
How soon will I notice a difference after my first infusion?
Some patients notice changes early in treatment, while others need more time or the full initial series before they can evaluate response. Results vary, and some patients do not respond to an initial series.
Can I go back to work after an infusion?
Plan not to drive and to keep the remainder of the day relatively low demand. Your recovery and return to normal activities should follow the guidance of your treating provider.
Key Takeaways
- A comprehensive intake consultation should review medical history, psychiatric history, medications, candidacy, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Follow individualized preparation instructions about food, fluids, medications, substances, and transportation.
- During an infusion, temporary dissociative effects may occur while clinical staff monitor vital signs and treatment response.
- Patients should arrange a responsible driver and remain in recovery until the clinical team determines that discharge is appropriate.
- A typical initial series at Revitalize includes six infusions over two to three weeks, with reassessment afterward.
Your first ketamine infusion may feel unfamiliar, but you do not have to navigate the process alone. At Revitalize Ketamine Clinic in Sedona, our team is here to answer questions, provide individualized preparation, and help you understand what to expect. To schedule a consultation, call our Sedona office at 928-325-2323. Revitalize also serves patients in Flagstaff at 928-589-0567 and Prescott Valley at 928-493-8222.
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2023). Ketamine infusion therapy treatment considerations. https://www.apna.org/resources/ketamine-infusion-therapy-treatment-considerations/
Murrough, J. W., Iosifescu, D. V., Chang, L. C., Al Jurdi, R. K., Green, C. E., Perez, A. M., Iqbal, S., Pillemer, S., Foulkes, A., Shah, A., Charney, D. S., & Mathew, S. J. (2013). Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: A two-site randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(10), 1134-1142. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13030392
Parikh, S. V., Lopez, D., Vande Voort, J. L., Rico, J., Achtyes, E., Coryell, W., Goes, F., Greden, J. F., Singh, B., Kaplin, A., Frye, M. A., Maixner, D., Watson, B., Drake, K., Tarnal, V., Riva-Posse, P., Bobo, W. V., & Bio-K Study Team. (2021). Developing an IV ketamine clinic for treatment-resistant depression: A primer. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 51(3), 109-124. https://doi.org/10.64719/pb.4413
Sanacora, G., Frye, M. A., McDonald, W., Mathew, S. J., Turner, M. S., Schatzberg, A. F., Summergrad, P., Nemeroff, C. B., & American Psychiatric Association Council of Research Task Force on Novel Biomarkers and Treatments. (2017). A consensus statement on the use of ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(4), 399-405. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0080
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ketamine therapy, TMS, SPRAVATO®, and medication management should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed provider familiar with your full medical and psychiatric history. Individual results vary. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.