Walking In: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Ketamine Infusion at our Southlake, TX clinic

For many patients, the decision to try Ketamine Therapy comes after months, or even years, of battling treatment-resistant depression or anxiety. You’ve done the research, you understand the science of neuroplasticity, but a nagging question remains: What does it actually feel like?

Because Ketamine is a psychedelic medicine, there is often a fear of "losing control." We want to demystify the process. Here is exactly what you can expect when you walk through our doors at Magnolia from the time you come to the time you leave.

1. The "Set and Setting"

‍In clinical psychedelics, we talk about "Set and Setting." "Set" is your mindset, and "Setting" is the environment. We handle the Setting so you can focus on the Set. You aren't placed on a cold exam table under fluorescent lights. You are in a private, quiet treatment room designed for relaxation. You’ll settle into one of our comfortable recliners. Many patients bring noise-canceling headphones with a curated playlist (instrumental, calming music is best) and an eye mask to block out visual distractions.  If you don't, it's ok because we have the music and eye masks available for you as well.

2. The Medical Safety Net

‍Before anything begins, safety is established. We connect you to continuous monitoring equipment—checking your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. You are never alone in the process; our medical staff is monitoring your vitals the entire time. This safety net allows you to fully let go and surrender to the experience, knowing your body is being taken care of.

3. The Experience (The "Float")

‍We administer the medication via a slow IV infusion over roughly 40 minutes. Unlike oral medication, this allows us to control the dosage precisely. If you ever feel uncomfortable, we can stop or slow the drip instantly.

As the infusion begins, you won't fall asleep. Instead, you will enter a "dissociative" state. Patients often describe this as a feeling of lightness, or a separation between their mind and their body. The heavy, physical weight of anxiety or depression lifts. You might feel like you are floating in a vast, calm space.

This state is where the work happens. It quiets the "Default Mode Network" (the part of your brain that ruminates on stress), giving you a break from your own negative thought loops.

4. The Recovery

‍One of the benefits of IV Ketamine is that it leaves your system quickly. Once the drip stops, you will slowly "land" back in the room over the next 15–20 minutes. You won't have a hangover. You may feel a bit groggy, but most of our patients report a sense of calm "afterglow" and mental clarity. You will need a ride home, but by the next morning, you are back to your routine—often with a fresh perspective.

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