Ketamine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2023

For Depression "I just completed a Ketamine infusion course with 6 sessions over the course of a month at a center with a high level of therapy support. It was life-changing as my depression over past trauma and anxiety completely disappeared. It was also spiritual and yes, while the sessions were mind-blowing from anything I could have imagined, I really began to know myself and trust being in the moment of my everyday life. I suggest this for anyone curious about Ketamine-assisted therapy, but do your homework."

• DJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

"I’ve tried a lot of antidepressants and have been on Zoloft for about 20 years. I’m only on the Zoloft now because I fear the withdrawals, so I can't get off. It does nothing for my depression. Tried light therapy as well because my depression is like times 10 in the winter months. Didn’t work. I tried the standard 6 infusions of ketamine over 2 weeks. The experience itself was pleasant and interesting. But as soon as the infusion was over, I just felt hungover and exhausted the rest of the day. Honestly, it did nothing for my depression. I’m thinking it may have made it worse. Maybe because of the letdown after the high expectations I had. And the $3300 I spent - so now more money worries. I know this works for some people. I would say that if the money is not an issue for you or if insurance pays, then definitely try it. You never know. You could be one of the lucky ones."

• Bul...
• September 10, 2019

"I’ve tried 3 infusions so far for depression with anxiety, and I think I’ve had enough to realize this is total rubbish! The first infusion I had seemed to help some, I did feel a little better, so I had a second one. But after the second one, I started to feel more anxious and a little back to my same depression! I tried for a third time hoping it would level me out and bring me relief. The third infusion was so strong I was having some intense memories I was reliving, it was so amazing, actually. These memories were from when I was around 10 years old and very clear, it was unreal! There kept being this recurring thought to myself: “You worry too much, try living in the moment, life is great, and you have so much to be grateful for.” It was quite pleasant! And then the infusion ended! I was so hungover all day after the third infusion it was unbearable, and now it’s been a week since I’ve had it, and I’m more depressed than I’ve ever been!"

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 13, 2021

Ketamine for Anesthesia "I was administered ketamine before surgery in 2020 to repair a broken arm and install a metal plate. It was a horrendous experience that left me with lasting terrifying images and strong suicidal thoughts that have endured for more than one year. I am alarmed by medical people who are advocating the use of this drug."

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2015

For Anesthesia "I was given ketamine along with propofol to induce anesthesia for a recent operation and never again. I experienced acute dysphoria and felt like I was going to die. Never again, this drug is bad news. I've now had 35 major surgeries, and this was the first time ketamine was used. Also had very low BP on waking. It seems to be the new in-thing drug. No idea why all of a sudden it's become popular?"

• RFM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2019

For Pain "I started using Esketamine about a month ago (for MDD, OCD, pain) and take it via nasal shots. I'm up to 84 mg, or three doses in each nostril spaced 5 minutes apart. My initial experience with it was a bit crazy, but after the 2nd visit, things started to smooth out a little. My most recent treatment of 84 mg was very intense. I had a mind trip while on Facebook, though it didn't last long. The spatial distortions and disassociation are noticeable. After it starts wearing off is when you feel really good. I also do transmagnetic stimulation with the ketamine, and the combo seems to work well, although it's expensive. I'll probably stick with the TMS."

• Rin...
• June 5, 2018

For Pain "I was hospitalized after a burn injury and had a skin graft operation. When my bandages were changed, I had severe pain, and I was extremely nervous, so they gave me ketamine. It helped. I was wondering why they did not give it to me when they did my first bandage change. It was the most painful experience I had ever had, and they gave me no medication."

• Ket...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

For Pain "I had my 1st ketamine infusion yesterday. It definitely is an experience, no doubt about that. I have been in severe pain for 4 years. CRPS, pain every second of the day. I had a few hours of not quite pain-free... but definitely tolerable. I will be doing it again. They suggest 4 to 5 to really notice a difference."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2021

For Anesthesia "I dislocated my elbow playing football. They needed to put me to sleep in order to relocate it. I was familiar with general anesthesia, having had my wisdom tooth removal not too long before, so I wasn't scared or nervous too much. But this drug, ketamine, holy moly, it was possibly worse than the pain I experienced from the dislocation itself. After being administered the drug, I remember thinking to myself I had actually died, and what I saw is pretty hard to explain, but I was floating away from my consciousness, with both my mom and dad looking over my body. After that, I kept coming in and out of consciousness. It looked as if I was flying through neurons in my brain, zooming closer, further, and all around them. That wasn't even the worst part about that drug, when I finally woke up, I had the worst vertigo ever. Anytime I would move my head a little bit to the left or right, I would feel nauseous and throw up. Worst nightmare of my life, would not recommend."

• Dud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

"Had 6 treatments total. 2 per week for 3 weeks to treat depression and anxiety. Did absolutely nothing for me in the short term or long term. Only thing that has helped me has been a few biofeedback sessions. No simple answer. Tried medicine, meditation, etc."

• Mar...
• March 26, 2023

For Depression "I have had five infusions of IV ketamine. The antidepressant and anxiolytic effects are strong and immediate. After the first infusion, I felt immediate relief, as if the turbulent sea of emotion and dread had subsided. However, two days after my fifth infusion, my depressive thoughts and feelings returned with vengeance. My hunch is that ketamine is a powerful short-term antidepressant. Whether it provides long-term relief, I am not sure."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2017

For Anesthesia "Used in conjunction with having a spinal tap during artery disease surgery, nursing staff referred to my experience upon awaking in recovery as 'NITE TERRORS.' I had horrific hallucinations of violently spinning photographs that made me scream, cry huge tears, yell obscenities, repeatedly say I wanted to kill myself or die, and yell I would be afraid to go to sleep again. Nurses had to take my face and tell me over and over it would be over soon. Had I not had a spinal and couldn't move, I fear I would have deliberately hurt myself."

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2019

"Tried ketamine infusion for my extreme depression and OCD. Had my first infusion 2 days ago, Thanksgiving Eve, and I can say it did nothing for me except make my symptoms worse. The infusion itself was one of the hardest, most intense trips I have ever been through, pretty sure I experienced the k-hole. They told me after I came to that they started me on a pretty high dose. The following day, I couldn't even get out of bed and partake in family functions for Thanksgiving. Did not have immediate relief or any whatsoever as I'm almost 48 hours from the treatment. Was intended to take suicidal ideations away, but I can say it did not help that for me. I know everyone has a different reaction to this medication, but I can definitely say it is not for me. The doctor wants me to come back three times next week at $400 a treatment. I definitely won't be returning for any following treatments."

• chr...
• June 25, 2019

"I went to a ketamine clinic in 2019 in hopes that it would alleviate my depression/anxiety. I've tried many antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, but none have worked for me. The feeling I had during the infusion was similar to that of nitrous oxide; VERY relaxed. It was a very pleasant experience. The practitioner assured me that after even just the first infusion, I should notice a significant improvement in my mood. Unfortunately, that was not my experience. After I left the clinic, I just felt 'hung over.' I was hoping that feeling of peace would eventually kick in, but it never did. I just couldn't justify spending another $400 on a one-hour 'high' which didn't seem to provide any residual benefits at all. I'd be interested in reading reviews from other people with depression, but I haven't been able to find any. In my humble non-professional opinion, ketamine is nothing more than a very expensive legal high with no lasting benefits for moderate depression/anxiety."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 8, 2022

Ketamine for Anesthesia "I was given Ketalar in the emergency room following hip surgery, and the hip had dislocated twice at that point. I had never had such a terrifying experience in my life. I thought I was dying and that I was leaving this world. I felt as though my body was hurtling through a tunnel, and I saw large objects swirling above me. And I could hear voices in the distance but couldn’t speak. When I was emerging from this nightmare, I grabbed my cousin’s hand as tight as I could because I didn’t want to die."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2022

For Depression "After years of antidepressants and an anxiety/PTSD diagnosis, I read about ketamine treatment and was excited about the reviews. I did my first session at home, through an online agency that had sent it in the mail, and did some coaching beforehand. For me, the experience was not pleasant. I was crying for the first half and feeling anxious the whole time. I remember looking at the clock, hoping the hour would be over soon. Afterwards, I journaled my experiences as I was told to do. But it was a lot of negativity and sadness. Afterwards, I felt very out of it and crappy all day, including nausea at night. Since then, I’ve been really agitated and lashing out at others. I hope that I feel better soon."

• No...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2017

For Anesthesia "Woke up from anesthesia with a headache, extremely dizzy, and unable to coordinate my eyes together. I could not sleep for 32 hours. Two days after surgery, I started having heart palpitations and seeing flashes in one eye. I needed to be checked with an EKG and my eyes checked for a possible tear of the retina. It took 10 days for dizziness and eye coordination to return to normal."

• Bit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2015

For Anesthesia "Having both post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic severe back pain due to 2 unsuccessful back surgeries, I was the perfect candidate for anesthesia using ketamine for my last 3 surgeries. For both the PTSD and chronic back pain, symptomology has been reduced by at least 75%. I could not be happier! Finally and again!"

• Kit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2022

For Pain "I've suffered from chronic pain, anxiety, and depression for many years. I didn't leave my house for almost 4 years due to massive panic attacks. Ketamine was introduced to me about 3 years ago, and it has changed my life!!! The setting was comfortable and relaxing, but not in a medical facility. I believe oftentimes when people have a negative experience, it's due to the environment and the trust they give to the provider. You must feel safe and surrender to get the full effects. Ketamine does more than scientists even know, they still aren't exactly sure how it works! Imagine that!? My experiences have allowed me to get out of my own way. The beauty of this medicine is it turns off the ego if you surrender. That voice telling you you aren't good enough, or loved, or wanted, etc., that's the ego. Ketamine allows your higher self to come forward, and with this, the dialogue of the ego gets buried. Some may not be ready for such an experience. I hope it becomes more available."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2023

"I was given ketamine in Oct 2022 while being picked up and transported by a rescue chopper. I was in immense pain from a fall on the cliffs in the Utah wilderness where I broke 7 ribs and punctured my lung. The flight lasted approximately 2 hours, during which I was given multiple doses, each time I came out of it and became restless with pain. I believe I was aware throughout but experienced no pain. I hallucinated traveling through a white tunnel with a loud screeching sound. After a period of time, I wondered if I had died and my consciousness had entered a computer. I was not panicked, rather, I was at peace. I came out of it as we landed on the helipad at the hospital in Salt Lake City, and the pain returned. There were no other effects later."

• Sam...
• February 5, 2021

For Anesthesia "I was given ketamine to put a dislocated shoulder back in place. I am 73 years old and experienced all the frightening things that others have experienced. I felt like I was in a kaleidoscope, I felt like I was dying, and I couldn't breathe. I said to myself, if this is dying, then please let it be over. When I came out of it, I told the physician's assistant how scary it was, and he said do not let anyone give it to me again. Of course, no one says anything to you before they administer it to you about the possible side effects."

• Heb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2024

For Depression "I loved the first 3 treatments! 2 in the psych unit/behavioral health unit, 2 in a clinic and 1 so far at home (have a month's supply of nasal from a compounding pharmacy, and it's a controlled substance so I had to show my driver's license at the pharmacy.) My last in-clinic IV dose was awesome during but horrible after because of bad thoughts during treatment. I was more suicidal afterwards and my boiling depression turned to lava. My most recent nasal treatment was JUST RIGHT. PERFECT. AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN A FAIRLY GOOD MOOD AND FOCUS ON VERY POSITIVE THINGS DURING IT, ketamine is mental health gold."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2020

For Pain "Postoperative pain relief for a broken forearm included ketamine. It was awful. I've used psilocybin mushrooms and LSD in my late teens and early 20s several times, which were mostly great experiences. However, the 2 minutes that followed each bolus of ketamine had me completely engulfed within a world that looked like a huge moving cubist painting. And unlike psilocybin, I no longer had the mental facilities to reason with myself. The pain returned between each bolus to the level it was before receiving it. Not for me."

• pum...
• November 11, 2011

For Pain "While on the infusion, I was unable to eat food. I became very sensitive to smells and had a metallic taste in my mouth even after the infusion was stopped. I obtained about 12 hours of sleep over 12 days, and 15 days after cessation of treatment, I am just beginning to sleep more effectively. I became very sensitive to light, and that is still continuing, as is the light-headedness and unsteadiness on my feet. My blood pressure rose above 200, but my pulse rate dropped to 53. I felt as though I had an elephant sitting on my chest, and I felt that I was having difficulty breathing, but observations did not support my feelings. I developed a cough, almost like hiccups, but no tickle at the back of the throat. I also became disassociated from the pain."

• TJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2020

For Pain "They told me that they would give me ketamine so I could have a CT scan because of back/neck pain. It was so strange. I thought I had died and heaven was just me being engulfed by white and black holes. (It was the drop ceiling above me. I truly thought I was dead. The next thing I know, I was aware of the team working to get me calmed. I didn’t like that at all. What a long, strange trip that was."