If you have made it to the point of scheduling a first ketamine infusion, you have already done something that takes real courage. You have acknowledged that what you have tried before has not been enough, and you have decided to keep looking. That is not a small thing. What we want to do now is take some of the uncertainty out of what comes next — because we know that not knowing what to expect can be its own source of anxiety, and you deserve to walk through our door at 906 W Cannon St feeling as prepared and calm as possible.
Before Your Appointment: The Clinical Intake
Before your first infusion, we will complete a thorough intake process at Vigeo Wellness in Fort Worth. This is not a formality. We review your psychiatric history, your prior treatment experiences, any current medications, and relevant medical conditions. Ketamine therapy is not appropriate for everyone, and we take that responsibility seriously. Certain conditions — including uncontrolled hypertension, active psychosis, a history of untreated substance use disorders, or certain cardiovascular conditions — require careful evaluation before any infusion can proceed. Our goal is to make sure that if we move forward, we do so safely and with a clear clinical rationale (Rosenbaum et al., 2024).
During this intake, please be as honest as you can about your history. We are not here to judge what you have been through — we are here to understand it so we can care for you well. If you are currently taking benzodiazepines, certain blood pressure medications, or psychiatric medications, let us know. Some medications may affect the ketamine experience or require dosage coordination with your prescribing provider. We will discuss any adjustments or considerations openly with you before your first session.
On the practical side: arrange a driver before your appointment. You cannot drive yourself home after a ketamine infusion — this is non-negotiable for safety reasons, and we will confirm this arrangement in advance. Plan for the infusion itself to take approximately 40 minutes to an hour, plus some time for arrival and settling in. Most patients are home within two to three hours of their appointment time.
The Day of Your First Infusion
When you arrive at our Fort Worth clinic, you will be greeted by our team and shown to your private infusion room. We intentionally create a calm, quiet environment — this is not a busy clinic floor or a shared space. Your infusion room is yours for the duration of your session, and we have designed it to feel as settled and unhurried as possible.
We will take your vital signs — blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation — before beginning. This baseline check is important; we continue to monitor your vitals throughout the infusion. Our nurse will establish an IV line, typically in your arm, and begin the infusion once everything looks stable and you feel ready.
As the ketamine begins to take effect, you will typically notice a gradual onset of relaxation within the first few minutes. Many patients describe a feeling of warmth or mental quieting — the persistent mental noise that often accompanies depression beginning to ease. You may experience some perceptual shifts: sounds might seem slightly different, your sense of time may alter, or you may feel a mild sense of dissociation from your surroundings. These effects are temporary and entirely expected. They are not a sign that something is wrong — they are a known part of the ketamine experience (Rosenbaum et al., 2024).
Some patients find the experience deeply restful; others feel curious or emotionally open in a way that is new to them. We encourage you to approach the session without resistance. Many practitioners suggest listening to gentle, calming music during the infusion — we can assist with this — and focusing on the sensations with curiosity rather than anxiety. You are not alone in that room. Our nursing staff is present and monitoring your comfort and safety throughout the entire session.
During the Infusion: What You May Feel
It is worth spending a moment on the dissociative quality of the ketamine experience, because it is the aspect patients most often ask about ahead of time. Dissociation in this context means a temporary shift in perception — a sense of distance from your ordinary sense of self and surroundings. This can feel unusual if you have never experienced it. For many patients, it resolves into something they describe as peaceful or even profound. For others, it is simply strange. Either response is normal.
What it should not feel like is frightening or out of control. If at any point during the infusion you feel distressed, you can communicate with our nurse — we remain present and attentive throughout. The infusion rate can be adjusted, and our team is trained to support you through any difficult moments. One of the most common barriers patients cite before their first infusion is fear of losing control or having an overwhelming experience. We take that fear seriously, which is why our clinical environment is designed the way it is, and why you will never be left alone during a session.
Results still vary by individual, and we will not tell you that every patient floats through their first infusion in a state of bliss. Some patients feel nauseated — anti-nausea medication is available if needed. Some feel emotionally raw in the immediate aftermath. What most patients share is that the experience itself passes, and what comes after — in the hours and days following — is what they were here for.
After the Infusion: The Hours That Follow
When the infusion ends, we will allow time for the medication to clear before you leave. Most patients feel a gradual return to baseline over 30 to 60 minutes. You will likely feel tired and somewhat floaty for the remainder of the day. This is expected, and it is why we ask that you plan a restful afternoon or evening after your first session. Avoid making important decisions, signing documents, or engaging in strenuous activity for the rest of the day.
Many patients notice mood changes beginning in the hours to days after their first infusion — sometimes subtle, sometimes more pronounced. This is related to ketamine’s rapid-acting effects on glutamate signaling and synaptic plasticity in brain regions affected by depression. Some patients describe it as a lifting, a lightness, or simply a quiet that was not there before. For others, meaningful changes emerge more gradually over the course of the full treatment course (Newport et al., 2015; Zarate et al., 2006). If you are curious about the science behind these effects, our post on how ketamine can boost mood quickly goes deeper into the underlying mechanisms.
We will follow up with you after your first session and throughout your course of treatment. Your response to each infusion informs how we approach the next. At Vigeo Wellness, we do not treat the six-session course as a conveyor belt — we monitor, adjust, and check in throughout. You are a person, not a protocol.
For patients interested in understanding how ketamine works alongside SPRAVATO® treatment or how psychiatric medication management services can support long-term outcomes, we are happy to discuss the full picture of your care.
The Full Treatment Course
A standard initial ketamine course at Vigeo Wellness consists of six infusions over approximately three to six weeks. This schedule is based on the clinical literature showing that repeated infusions may produce more durable responses than a single session. After your initial course, we will assess your response and discuss whether maintenance infusions make sense for your ongoing care (Aan het Rot et al., 2010; Murrough et al., 2013).
We know that six sessions represents a meaningful time and financial investment. We want you to come in informed about that commitment, and we want to be here to support you through it. You should not have to figure out how to fit this into your life alone. For a broader look at the full range of what ketamine therapy involves, our FAQs: Everything You Should Know About Ketamine Therapy page answers many of the most common questions we hear. Call us, ask questions, and let us be part of making this as workable as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I eat before my ketamine infusion? We ask that you not have any solid food for four hours before your scheduled infusion time to reduce the risk of nausea. Clear liquids such as water or Gatorade are encouraged up to 2 hours before and a light meal earlier in the day is fine. Stay hydrated, and let our team know of any concerns when you arrive.
What if I feel anxious going into my first infusion? This is entirely normal, and our team is experienced in helping patients feel settled before and during their sessions. Let us know how you are feeling when you arrive. We will take as much time as needed to answer your questions, adjust the environment to your comfort, and ensure you feel ready before we begin.
Can I listen to music during my infusion? Yes, and many patients find that calming, instrumental music enhances the experience. We can accommodate your preference. Some patients find it helpful to create a specific playlist in advance; others prefer to use one we suggest.
What should I not do after a ketamine infusion? Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or make significant decisions for the remainder of the day following your infusion. Avoid alcohol. Plan a restful afternoon or evening, and have your driver available to take you home when the session is complete.
How soon will I feel a difference? Some patients notice mood improvements within 24 to 48 hours of their first infusion. Others see gradual changes emerge over the course of the treatment series. Individual response varies, and we monitor your experience closely throughout.
Key Takeaways
- A thorough clinical intake — reviewing your psychiatric history, medications, and medical conditions — is required before your first infusion.
- The infusion itself lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour in a private room with continuous nursing oversight of your vitals and comfort.
- Dissociation and perceptual shifts during infusion are expected and temporary — you are never left alone during a session.
- Arrange a driver and plan for a restful day after your first infusion.
- Most patients complete a course of six infusions over two to three weeks; your response is monitored after each session and informs the ongoing plan.
Conclusion
Walking into something new — especially when you have already been through a lot — takes courage. At Vigeo Wellness in Fort Worth, we want your first ketamine infusion to feel as safe, informed, and supported as possible. We have been through this with a lot of patients, and we take every one of those experiences seriously. You do not have to do this alone. Call us at 817-634-5521 or contact Vigeo Wellness to ask questions, schedule a consultation, or take the first step when you are ready. Our Weatherford office is also available at 817-672-9407. You are heard. You matter.
References
Aan het Rot, M., Collins, K. A., Murrough, J. W., Perez, A. M., Reich, D. L., Charney, D. S., & Mathew, S. J. (2010). Safety and efficacy of repeated-dose intravenous ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Biological Psychiatry, 67(2), 139–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.08.038
Berman, R. M., Cappiello, A., Anand, A., Oren, D. A., Heninger, G. R., Charney, D. S., & Krystal, J. H. (2000). Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients. Biological Psychiatry, 47(4), 351–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(99)00230-9
Murrough, J. W., Iosifescu, D. V., Chang, L. C., Al Jurdi, R. K., Green, C. E., Perez, A. M., Iqbal, S., Pillemer, S., Foulkes, A., Shah, A., Charney, D. S., & Mathew, S. J. (2013). Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: A two-site randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(10), 1134–1142. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13030392
Newport, D. J., Carpenter, L. L., McDonald, W. M., Potash, J. B., Tohen, M., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2015). Ketamine and other NMDA antagonists: Early clinical trials and possible mechanisms in depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(10), 950–966. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15010017
Rosenbaum, S. B., Gupta, V., Patel, P., & Palacios, J. L. (2024). Ketamine. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470357/
Zarate, C. A., Jr., Singh, J. B., Carlson, P. J., Brutsche, N. E., Ameli, R., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Charney, D. S., & Manji, H. K. (2006). A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(8), 856–864. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.63.8.856
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ketamine infusion therapy for psychiatric conditions is an off-label use and should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed provider familiar with your full medical and psychiatric history. Individual results vary. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.