Psychedelic Effects Explained
The psychedelic experience varies greatly among individuals, but there are some common themes that many people report. It’s important to note that while ketamine has psychedelic properties, it’s technically a dissociative anesthetic, and its effects can be somewhat different than classic psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin. Here’s a general description of what someone might experience:
Onset of Effects
Once the ketamine has been administered orally or intranasal, or via injection in a medical setting, the initial effects are usually felt within a few minutes. The world may start to feel a bit unreal or dreamlike. Some people report feeling a sense of heaviness or numbness in their body, or a sensation of floating.
Dissociation
The primary effect of ketamine is a state of dissociation. This is a sense of disconnection from one’s physical body and the outside world. Some people describe it as feeling as though they are watching themselves from an outside perspective or as though they are in a different place entirely. This can be a strange and potentially unsettling experience, but in a controlled, therapeutic setting, it can also provide a sense of distance from one’s usual thought patterns and emotional responses.
Visual and Auditory Changes
Visual and auditory perceptions can change significantly during a ketamine experience. People often report seeing geometric patterns, vivid colors, or dreamlike scenes. Sounds may seem distorted or take on a special significance. Some people have described these sensory changes as being like a waking dream.
Altered Perception of Time and Space
A person’s sense of time and space often becomes distorted. Minutes can feel like hours, or vice versa. Spatial relationships can become confusing; people may feel as though they are floating, spinning, or as if they are both incredibly large and incredibly small at the same time.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
Emotionally, the experience can be a rollercoaster. Some people report intense feelings of joy, wonder, and peace. Others may confront difficult emotions or memories. It’s not uncommon to have a sense of profound insight or revelation, as though one is seeing the world, or their own behaviors, in a new light.
Ketamine’s effects can be broad and highly variable, depending on the individual, dosage, and context. The following are other potentially significant effects that some people might experience during a ketamine session:
Synesthesia
This is a blending of senses where stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory pathway. For example, a person might “see” sounds or “hear” colors.
Ego Dissolution
Some people experience what’s often described as “ego death” or “ego dissolution.” This is a sensation where the boundary that separates one’s self from the external world dissolves. This can lead to a sense of unity or interconnectedness with everything around them.
Life Review
Similar to a near-death experience, some people report a phenomenon where significant life events flash before their eyes. This could potentially lead to new perspectives or insights on past experiences.
Out-of-Body Experience
This is a sensation of being detached or disconnected from one’s physical body, as if they are viewing themselves from an outside perspective.
Existential Realizations
People often report profound insights about life, their identity, and the nature of reality. These can sometimes lead to long-term changes in their values, attitudes, and behaviors.
Revisiting Traumatic Events
In a safe, therapeutic setting, patients may find themselves revisiting past traumas or painful memories. While this may be distressing, it also provides an opportunity to process these experiences from a new perspective, which can contribute to healing and recovery.
Enhanced Creativity
Some people report enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities during the ketamine experience. They may find new ways of thinking about challenges or issues in their lives, leading to innovative solutions.
Mystical Experiences
While not universal, some people have spiritual or mystical experiences. They might feel a sense of sacredness, a feeling of unity or interconnectedness, a sense of transcending time and space, ineffability (the inability to adequately describe the experience in words), and a noetic quality (a sense of encountering ultimate reality).
Aftereffects
As the effects of the drug wear off, most people report a sense of calm and relaxation. The insights gained during the experience can linger, leading to changes in attitude, behavior, or overall mood. Some people find that their depression or anxiety symptoms are significantly reduced after a ketamine session.
In addition to the effects already mentioned, there are a few more that could occur under the influence of ketamine:
Temporary Physical Impairments: During the ketamine experience, coordination and sense of balance may be impaired, making tasks like standing or walking difficult. This effect is temporary and typically resolves as the ketamine wears off.
Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Physiologically, ketamine can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. These effects are usually transient and monitored closely in a medical setting.
Post-Treatment Fatigue: Some people feel tired or fatigued after the ketamine experience. This typically resolves after a period of rest.
Difficulty Speaking or Moving: Some users may have difficulty speaking or moving during the peak effects of ketamine. This can contribute to the feeling of disconnection from the physical body.
Changes in Perception of Self and Others: Some people report changes in the way they see themselves and others. They may feel more empathy and understanding or see people in their lives from a new perspective.
It’s important to remember that every person’s experience with ketamine will be unique and is influenced by many factors including their personal biology, mindset, and environment. Some may have deeply profound experiences while others may have subtler ones. As with any drug, there can also be uncomfortable or distressing experiences, which is why it’s crucial to have this treatment under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
