Ketamine Therapy Safety: What You Need to Know Before Starting Treatment
By Christopher Black, PMHNP | Black Psychiatry
Ketamine therapy has been called one of the most exciting breakthroughs in mental health in decades-and for good reason. When used responsibly, it can rapidly reduce symptoms of depression, PTSD, and other treatment-resistant conditions.
But at Black Psychiatry, we believe the key word is responsibly. The same neurochemical properties that make ketamine effective require careful screening, medical oversight, and follow-up to ensure both safety and success.
Here’s what we think every patient should know before beginning ketamine treatment.
Step One: Comprehensive Screening
Before your first dose, we complete a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation. This isn’t just a formality-it’s a crucial safety step.
We review:
Medical history (heart health, blood pressure, liver and kidney function)
Current medications to check for interactions
Mental health history (diagnoses, past treatment responses, suicidal thoughts)
Substance use history
Lab work if indicated (e.g., thyroid, vitamin D, hormone levels)
This allows us to confirm that ketamine is both safe and appropriate for you. For some patients, alternative treatments may be recommended first.
Who Should Avoid Ketamine?
While ketamine is safe for most people when used properly, it’s not the right fit for everyone.
We may recommend against ketamine if you have:
Uncontrolled high blood pressure or certain heart conditions
Active psychosis or mania
Severe liver disease
Current substance misuse patterns that could increase risk
Your safety comes first, always.
What Happens During a Session
At Black Psychiatry, every ketamine session is clinician-supervised in a calm, private setting. We monitor:
Blood pressure and heart rate before, during, and after
Oxygen levels
Mental status and comfort
We also provide therapeutic integration support, helping you make sense of insights and emotions that may arise during your session.
After Your Session
We keep you in-clinic until you’re stable and alert. You’ll need someone to drive you home the first few times, as ketamine can cause temporary:
Dizziness
Mild nausea
Dissociation (feeling “detached” or dreamy)
These effects usually fade within an hour or two.
Safety Data
Decades of research show that ketamine, when used in a medical setting, has a strong safety profile. Side effects are typically mild and short-lived. The greatest risks come from unsupervised or recreational use, which is why clinical oversight is non-negotiable in our practice.
Our Promise to Patients
At Black Psychiatry, safety isn’t a checklist-it’s a relationship. We partner with you from the very first screening to the last follow-up, ensuring every step is:
Evidence-based
Patient-centered
Medically supervised
When done right, ketamine therapy can be not just safe, but life-changing.
📍 Ready to Learn More?
Book a consultation today to see if ketamine therapy is right for you. Our priority is your safety, your comfort, and your long-term well-being.
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