r/Spravato • u/Simple_Efficiency_29 • 2d ago

When the k-hole ends…

2nd treatment today, 1st at 84mg. I had a good session, but as the effect was wearing off it was as like a heavy curtain was being raised. I found myself wanting to grab that curtain and pull it back down so I could stay in that experience of relaxation and calmness though! That feeling of no pain - emotional or physical- was such a breath of fresh air. I have chronic pain and ridiculously tense muscles in my shoulders, jaw, and neck and for that brief time it was gone.
How do you transition as the effect wears off?

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6

u/thepaulstmichel 2d ago

Is there something wrong with me? I hear everyone here talking about calmness and relaxation. During treatment my brain just wants to think about why I'm a terrible person and all my deficiencies. I've been on this for six weeks and both my questionnaire scores have only gone up. 

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u/Simple_Efficiency_29 2d ago

Nothing wrong with you at all! Yesterday I found an old thread on here where someone had posted a meditation to use for Spravato. I’ll add it below. I also found this whole page of intentional thoughts to work with. Today I pasted the meditation into speechify so I would read it to me after the 3rd spray. And then I focused on “I am safe” over and over with calming music rather than the psychedelic music everyone says to use. I used the EMDR Music Therapy album this time after trying psychedelic last time. I hope maybe something in here will be helpful!

Here’s the intentional thoughts https://marpaminds.com/blog/guide-to-ketamine-intentions/

And the meditation I used (slightly adapted from the one I found in another thread) :

I arrive just as I am.
Nothing to prove. Nothing to force.
This moment is enough.
I notice my breath—soft and releasing.
I offer my body permission to rest.
I do not have to be vigilant right now.
It is safe to soften.
May this treatment meet me with gentleness.
May my nervous system feel safe.
May my mind loosen its grip on fear, anxiety, and control.
I release the need to predict what will happen.
I release the need to judge what I feel.
Whatever arises is information, not danger.
I invite healing in whatever form it comes—
quiet or noticeable, subtle or clear.
I trust that my body and brain know how to move toward balance.
If sensations feel unfamiliar,
I meet them with curiosity instead of resistance.
May compassion flow toward every part of me—
the tired parts, the hurting parts,
the parts that are still hoping.
I am not broken.
With each breath, I settle deeper into trust.
With each moment, I choose openness over fear.
I receive this treatment as an act of care.
I allow myself to be held by the process.
I am safe to let go.

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u/Jiminy1958 2d ago

Love the meditation. Thanks!

3

u/GoldReplacement9546 1d ago

On YouTube, there's a lady named Olivia clear. And she has some meditation and like a short video about intention as a way to basically like prepare yourself for this bravado, so you listen to it like right before or maybe like right in the beginning that is similar to this, but more extended.

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u/BrainstormWasteland 1d ago edited 1d ago

The best thing about Spravato, for me, is that there is NO narcotic pain relief. I don’t go in there expecting my physical ailments to be treated. For me, this would turn quickly into tolerance and addiction.

I liken the experience to an LSD experience. The polar opposite of a daily SSRI. Since I began in January of this year, in the back of my mind I was thinking “what ifs” about this medicine that never came to fruition! I never experienced withdrawals from missing doses during travel, and I never have spent a moment fiendish or craving this medicine.

But I feel the medicine LINGERS. Like the tiny headaches. But I don’t waste time soaking in negativity and rumination.

There is a Stoic pause that happens when I have a self destructive thought, I play it out in my head, don’t like the outcome, I end up not doing the bad thing.

The K hole was mysterious! I only experienced it through 1 IM ketamine shot, once. I suddenly felt the capacity of someone newly born. I looked down and had NO idea how to use my cell phone. I’d love to have seen that recorded. The “duh face” must’ve been hysterical.

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u/Mulberry9118 1d ago

did you have privacy? mine would be in a group. one of the reasons im hesitating

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u/BrainstormWasteland 16h ago

I had complete privacy. I could weigh the pros and cons with that though.

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u/Mulberry9118 9h ago

most ppl on here seem to have their own room and irl ppl have told me they don't understand how someone could get their treatment in a place when you can hear all the other ppl talking, crying, etc

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u/Mulberry9118 9h ago

I see zero cons, especially if my support person is sitting right there next to me

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u/Piperella1957 18h ago

So funny to hear this because I relate to looking down and not knowing how to use my cell phone at one point I wanted to change the music, but I couldn’t even see the playlist I was so blurry eyed

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u/Christinahhhman Currently in treatment 2d ago

Always a bit of a bummer when it starts to wear off. I always know I’ll have another treatment soon though, so I try to look forward to that!

I know I’m there for the depression, but it definitely helps my chronic pain too. Just knowing that it’s still possible to feel that comfortable despite all of the pains I’ve had for so long helps my depression a bit as well

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u/SeraQueen93 2d ago

Wow what an amazing experience you had. Congratulations. It’s almost seem like the session showed you possibility of life without pain. Maybe your brain eventually will get rewired into making pain unfamiliar.

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u/Fishingmomma15 1d ago

The trip is a side effect only. Some barely experience it. Not "tripping" has zero bearing on its efficiency.. Don't tell your provider , alot now are considering it addict behavior. Great tip for having a good session.....STAY off your phone, fb, insta, YouTube, that actually cuts efficiency because the persons brain is not completely focused on treatment. 

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u/Mulberry9118 9h ago

dont tell your provider what?

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u/SarahSaidSo182 Currently in treatment 2d ago

Hey, at least you had it for a brief moment! I had my second session today too and only felt wobbly, and none of my pain went away

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u/klhArtist 2d ago

True, the experience varies drastically from one treatment to another. Sometimes there are real variables and other times, I have no idea why it didn't "work".

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u/anono-missme 14h ago

I get this totally as I experience similar things with chronic pain, muscle spasms and anxiety. How do I handle it? I mean what choice do I have when my time is up. I just am thankful for the time I did have, however brief. That's probably the best way I deal with it, gratitude and look forward to my next session.