If you have been approved for ketamine infusion therapy, it is completely normal to feel a mix of hope and nervousness before your first session. Most of our patients feel the same way. The good news is that the experience is carefully controlled, medically supervised, and far less intimidating than you might expect.

As someone who has guided hundreds of patients through their first infusions at LUMUS, I want to walk you through exactly what happens — before, during, and after — so you can arrive feeling prepared and confident.

Before Your Appointment: Preparation

A little preparation goes a long way toward a comfortable infusion experience. Here is what we recommend:

  • Fasting: Do not eat for at least 4 hours before your appointment, and avoid heavy meals for 6 hours prior. Light clear fluids are fine up to 2 hours before. This significantly reduces the chance of nausea during treatment.
  • Medications: Take your regular medications as prescribed unless our clinical team has given you specific instructions otherwise. If you take benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Klonopin, or Ativan), we will discuss timing because these can reduce ketamine's effectiveness.
  • Transportation: You cannot drive for the rest of the day after your infusion. Arrange for someone to drive you home or plan to use a rideshare service. This is non-negotiable for safety reasons.
  • What to bring: Wear comfortable clothing. Many patients bring a blanket, eye mask, or headphones with a calming playlist. You are welcome to bring anything that helps you feel at ease.
  • Mindset: Try to approach the experience with openness. Some patients find it helpful to set a gentle intention for the session — not a rigid goal, but something like "I am open to healing" or "I want to feel lighter."

Arrival and Check-In

When you arrive at our clinic at 284 Dupont St, Suite 130 in Corona, our front desk team will greet you and walk you through a brief intake process. We will check your vital signs — blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation — to establish a baseline. If this is your very first visit, your provider will review your medical history, answer any remaining questions, and confirm your treatment plan.

The entire check-in process typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

The Infusion Room: Your Environment

Our infusion rooms are designed to be calming and private. You will be seated in a comfortable reclining chair in a quiet, dimly lit space. The atmosphere is intentionally therapeutic — think of it as the opposite of a typical clinical setting. Ambient lighting, comfortable temperature, and minimal distractions create an environment where you can relax.

A clinical staff member will be present or immediately available throughout the entire session. You are never alone during treatment.

The IV and Starting the Infusion

Your provider will place a small IV catheter, typically in your hand or forearm. If you are uncomfortable with needles, let us know — we can apply a topical numbing cream beforehand. The IV insertion feels like a brief pinch and is over in seconds.

Once the IV is placed, the ketamine infusion begins. The standard dose for depression treatment is 0.5 mg/kg administered over 40 to 60 minutes. The infusion rate is controlled precisely using a programmable pump, and your provider may adjust the rate based on your response.

What You Will Feel: During the Infusion

This is the part most patients are curious (and sometimes anxious) about. Here is an honest overview of what to expect:

First 5–10 Minutes

Most patients begin to notice subtle effects within the first few minutes. You may feel a gentle warmth spreading through your body, a slight lightness, or a sense of floating. Some patients describe it as feeling like the moment just before falling asleep.

10–30 Minutes: Peak Effects

The most pronounced effects typically occur during the middle portion of the infusion. Common experiences include mild dissociation (a sense of detachment from your body or surroundings), visual changes (colors may appear more vivid, you might see gentle patterns with closed eyes), a sense of time distortion, and deep relaxation. Some patients describe a feeling of emotional openness or clarity. These sensations are normal and expected at therapeutic doses.

30–60 Minutes: Gradual Return

As the infusion concludes, the effects begin to taper gradually. Most patients feel the dissociative sensations easing within 10 to 15 minutes after the infusion stops. You may still feel somewhat dreamy or relaxed, but your awareness of the room and surroundings returns steadily.

Important: Every patient's experience is different. Some people experience vivid internal imagery while others simply feel deeply relaxed. There is no "right" way to experience ketamine therapy. Whatever you feel is your brain's normal response to the medication. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, our clinical team can adjust the infusion rate or provide additional comfort measures.

Possible Side Effects During Infusion

The most common side effects are mild and temporary:

  • Nausea: Affects roughly 10–15% of patients. We can administer anti-nausea medication through your IV if needed, and fasting beforehand significantly reduces this risk.
  • Dizziness: Mild dizziness or a "woozy" feeling is common and resolves as the medication wears off.
  • Elevated blood pressure: Ketamine can temporarily raise blood pressure. We monitor your vitals throughout the session and can address this if needed.
  • Blurred vision: Some patients notice temporary visual blurriness, which clears within the recovery period.

Recovery: After the Infusion

After the infusion is complete and the IV is removed, you will remain in your chair for a 15 to 30 minute observation period. During this time, the most pronounced effects of the medication will wear off, and we will recheck your vital signs before clearing you to leave.

Most patients feel ready to walk (with assistance) within 15 to 20 minutes after the infusion ends. You may still feel somewhat drowsy, emotionally open, or "different" for the rest of the day. This is normal. We recommend:

  • Go home and rest for the remainder of the day
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Eat a light meal when you feel ready
  • Avoid making major decisions or doing anything that requires sharp focus
  • Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or consume alcohol for 24 hours
  • If you work with a therapist, consider scheduling a session within 24–48 hours to take advantage of enhanced neural plasticity

The Days After Your First Infusion

Patients respond differently to ketamine. Some people notice a meaningful shift in mood within hours of their first infusion. Others may not feel significant changes until after their second or third session. Both responses are normal and do not predict your ultimate outcome.

Common experiences in the days following your first infusion include:

  • Improved mood or emotional lightness that may be subtle at first
  • Better sleep quality
  • Reduced rumination or negative thought loops
  • A sense of emotional openness or softness
  • Some patients report feeling temporarily more emotional than usual — this can be a healthy part of the process

The 6-Infusion Protocol: Building Lasting Change

A single ketamine infusion can provide meaningful relief, but the standard induction protocol at LUMUS consists of 6 infusions administered over 2 to 3 weeks. This protocol is based on clinical research showing that a series of closely spaced infusions produces more robust and longer-lasting results than a single session.

Think of it like physical therapy for the brain: each infusion builds on the neural changes created by the previous one. The synaptogenesis (new synaptic connections) triggered by ketamine is cumulative, and the 6-infusion protocol gives your brain the repeated stimulus it needs to consolidate these changes into lasting neural architecture.

After completing the initial 6 infusions, many patients transition to a maintenance schedule — typically one infusion every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on individual response. Your provider will work with you to find the frequency that keeps your symptoms well-managed.

You Are Not Alone in This

Starting any new treatment can feel daunting, especially when it involves an unfamiliar experience like ketamine infusion. But our entire team at LUMUS is here to support you through every step. We have seen this therapy change lives, and we take our responsibility to make the experience as safe, comfortable, and effective as possible very seriously.

If you still have questions after reading this, we genuinely encourage you to reach out. You can call us at (951) 824-8580 or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss anything on your mind.