What to Expect After Ketamine Infusion Treatment Session Q&A

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, your comfort, safety, and well-being are our top priorities. After a ketamine infusion session, it’s normal to experience temporary effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or mild disorientation. These sensations typically resolve within 30 minutes to an hour. You may also feel tired or sleepy afterward, and it’s recommended to rest until these feelings pass.

Some individuals may experience mild nausea or subtle perceptual changes, such as feeling detached or floating, which generally fade quickly. Professionals will monitor your condition for about 30–60 minutes post-treatment to ensure your comfort and safety. For safety, it’s advised to have someone accompany you and drive you home, as ketamine can affect coordination and judgment.

Once home, rest in a quiet environment, avoid strenuous activities, and refrain from operating machinery or making important decisions until the next day. Staying hydrated, having a light snack, and resting will support your recovery.

We are committed to providing you with personalized support throughout your treatment journey. Dr. Paul Wender, MD, is here to offer guidance and ensure your experience is as smooth and effective as possible.

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, we prioritize patient comfort and safety, and we want you to be informed about what to expect following your ketamine infusion therapy. Fatigue after ketamine treatment is a common and normal side effect. Many people experience feelings of drowsiness or low energy as the body adjusts to the medication. This occurs because ketamine temporarily affects neurotransmitter systems in the brain.

In most cases, post-treatment fatigue resolves within a few hours to a couple of days, depending on individual response and dosage. To aid recovery, it’s helpful to rest, stay hydrated, eat nutritious foods, and get enough sleep.

If fatigue lasts more than two or three days, feels unusually intense, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s important to seek professional advice. While mild fatigue is usually temporary and harmless, prolonged or severe symptoms may require further evaluation, and support is available to guide you through the process.

The full effects of a ketamine infusion typically take some time to develop, with patients often noticing initial improvements within hours to days after their first treatment. Many individuals report feeling a better mood, reduced anxiety, or less pain shortly after their session. However, the complete therapeutic benefits usually require a series of treatments, rather than a single infusion.

For mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, the initial treatment protocol typically involves four to six infusions over two to three weeks. During this period, patients experience gradual improvements, with the most noticeable effects becoming clear by the end of the series. Similarly, for chronic pain management, multiple sessions are often needed, with many patients experiencing relief after a few treatments, but the best and most lasting results typically occur after completing the full course of infusions. The response to treatment varies, with some people feeling significant relief early on, while others need the entire series to achieve meaningful results.

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, many patients feel some relief soon after starting ketamine infusion therapy. However, full benefits usually require several sessions over a few weeks. Since everyone responds differently, our healthcare providers regularly check progress, adjust treatment plans, and ensure each patient’s needs and goals are met.

Follow-up treatments after a ketamine infusion are often necessary to ensure sustained benefits and long-term symptom relief. These treatments are typically tailored to each patient’s condition, response to therapy, and overall health goals. While ketamine infusions can provide significant relief from conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain, ongoing care is essential to maintain those improvements over time.

After the initial treatment, many patients undergo additional infusions at intervals that best address their unique needs. Some patients experience lasting symptom relief after a few sessions, while others may benefit from more frequent treatments. Follow-up care may also involve complementary therapies such as counseling, psychotherapy, and lifestyle guidance, all of which contribute to a holistic treatment approach. Regular check-ins with the care team help adjust the treatment plan as needed to optimize effectiveness and manage any potential side effects, ensuring the best possible long-term results.

At Bay Area Ketamine Center, we focus on personalized care to help improve your well-being. Contact us today or schedule an appointment to start your journey toward lasting improvement. Our clinic is conveniently located at 746 Altos Oaks Drive Suite B, Los Altos, CA 94024. We serve patients from Los Altos CA, Sunnyvale CA, Palo Alto CA, Stanford CA, Atherton CA, Cupertino CA, Santa Clara CA, Mountain View CA, Loyola CA, and surrounding areas.