Your First Ketamine Appointment: Complete Checklist

Getting Ready for Day One

Walking into your first ketamine appointment is a meaningful step. You have done the research, consulted with a provider, and decided this treatment is worth pursuing. Now it is time to make sure you are fully prepared so that you can focus on the experience itself rather than worrying about logistics.

This checklist covers everything from what to bring and how to prepare your body, to what questions to ask and how to plan the rest of your day. Print it out, save it to your phone, or share it with the person who will be supporting you on treatment day.

One Week Before Your Appointment

Medical Preparation

Start with your provider's specific instructions, which should always take precedence over any general guidance. In the week leading up to your appointment:

• Confirm your medication list is current. Write down every medication, supplement, and herbal remedy you take, including dosages and frequency. Your provider needs this information to ensure safe treatment. Pay special attention to MAOIs, benzodiazepines, and lamotrigine, as these can interact with ketamine.
• Get any required lab work done. Some clinics require a basic metabolic panel, liver function tests, or a recent blood pressure reading before your first session. Ask your clinic what they need and allow time for results.
• Discuss any medication adjustments. Your provider may ask you to skip certain medications on the day of treatment. Benzodiazepines, for example, may reduce the effectiveness of ketamine. Never stop or adjust medications without explicit guidance from your prescribing provider.
• Arrange your transportation home. This is non-negotiable. You will not be able to drive for at least six hours after treatment, and many providers recommend waiting until the following day. Have a specific person confirmed — a friend, family member, or plan for a rideshare service.

Logistics

• Confirm the appointment date, time, and location. Know exactly where you are going and how long it takes to get there. Many clinics ask you to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for your first visit.
• Understand your financial obligations. Know what you owe and how you will pay. Bring your credit card or payment method, and confirm whether a deposit has already been collected.
• Clear your schedule for the full day. Do not plan meetings, childcare responsibilities, or important tasks for the remainder of the day. You will likely want to rest.

The Night Before

• Get a full night of sleep. Aim for seven to nine hours. Being well-rested helps your body respond to treatment and makes the experience more comfortable.
• Avoid alcohol and recreational substances. This includes cannabis. Most providers recommend abstaining for at least 24 hours before treatment, and some recommend 48 hours or more.
• Eat a light, balanced dinner. Avoid very rich, heavy, or spicy foods that might contribute to nausea the next day.
• Set out what you will bring. Packing the night before removes one more thing to think about in the morning.

What to Bring

Essential Items

• Valid photo ID — required by most clinics
• Insurance card — even if ketamine itself is not covered, the consultation or monitoring may be billable
• Medication list — printed or on your phone, with dosages
• Payment method — credit card, check, or cash as required
• Your signed intake forms — if provided in advance, bring them completed

Comfort Items

• Comfortable clothing — loose-fitting layers are ideal, as your temperature perception may shift during treatment
• A blanket or shawl — some clinics provide these, but having your own can feel grounding
• An eye mask — many clinics offer one, but bringing your own ensures comfort
• Headphones and a playlist — calming, instrumental music works best; avoid music with lyrics that might direct your thoughts in unexpected ways
• A journal and pen — for noting thoughts and impressions after the session
• A water bottle — hydration is important, especially if you have been fasting
• A light snack — crackers, a banana, or a granola bar for after the session

Optional but Helpful

• A meaningful comfort object — some patients bring a small item that brings them a sense of safety or grounding
• Sunglasses — your eyes may be light-sensitive after treatment
• A phone charger — your session and recovery may take two to three hours total
• Lip balm — ketamine can cause dry mouth

The Morning of Your Appointment

• Follow your provider's fasting instructions. Most clinics recommend fasting for four to six hours before an IV infusion or intramuscular injection to reduce the risk of nausea. For sublingual treatments, fasting guidelines may be different. If you are unsure, call the clinic.
• Take your regular morning medications with a small sip of water unless your provider has told you otherwise.
• Shower and wear comfortable clothes. Avoid perfumes or strong scents, as your senses may be heightened during treatment.
• Skip caffeine if you can. While not strictly required, caffeine can increase anxiety and elevate blood pressure, both of which may complicate your session.
• Practice a brief grounding exercise. Five minutes of slow, deep breathing or a short meditation can help set a calm tone for the day.

At the Clinic

Check-In

When you arrive, the front desk staff will verify your identity, collect your paperwork, and walk you through any final administrative steps. They will likely take your vital signs — blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation.

Questions to Ask Before Treatment Begins

This is your last chance to address any lingering concerns. Consider asking:

• What is the exact dose and route of administration for today's session?
• How long will the active treatment portion last?
• Will someone be in the room with me the entire time?
• What should I do if I feel nauseous or uncomfortable during the session?
• What happens if I need to use the restroom during the session?
• Is there anything I should focus on or avoid focusing on during the experience?
• How will I know when the session is over?
• What should I expect in the first few hours after treatment?
• When will we schedule my next session?

Setting Your Intention

Many providers encourage patients to set a simple intention before the session begins. Our preparation guide covers this in detail. This does not need to be elaborate — something like "I am open to healing" or "I want to feel lighter" can serve as a gentle anchor. An intention is not a goal to accomplish during the session. It is more like a quiet signal to your mind about what matters to you.

After the Session

Immediate Recovery

• Stay at the clinic for the full recovery period, typically 15 to 30 minutes after the treatment ends.
• Move slowly when transitioning from lying down to sitting, and from sitting to standing. Dizziness is common.
• Sip water and have your light snack if you feel up to it.
• Jot down any notes or impressions in your journal while they are fresh.

The Rest of the Day

• Go home and rest. This is not the day to catch up on errands or social obligations.
• Eat a nourishing meal when your appetite returns. Something warm and simple is usually most appealing.
• Avoid screens if possible for the first couple of hours. Many patients find that the lingering effects of the session make screen time uncomfortable or overstimulating.
• Do not make important decisions. Your judgment and cognitive processing may still be recovering.
• Do not drive, operate machinery, or consume alcohol for the remainder of the day.
• Reach out to your support person if you feel emotionally tender. It is normal to feel a range of emotions after treatment.

Tracking Your Experience

Start a simple tracking system after your first appointment. Note your mood, energy, sleep quality, appetite, and any specific symptoms you are treating. Rate them on a scale of one to ten. This data becomes invaluable when you and your provider are assessing whether the treatment is working and making decisions about dosing or frequency.

The Days That Follow

Many patients do not feel dramatic changes after a single session. The benefits of ketamine therapy often build over the initial treatment series. Some people notice subtle shifts — slightly better sleep, a moment of unexpected laughter, a thought pattern that loosens its grip just a bit.

Your provider will likely schedule a follow-up call or appointment within one to three days after your first session. Be honest about your experience, both the helpful and the difficult parts. This feedback helps them calibrate your next session.

You Are More Prepared Than You Think

If you have read through this checklist and taken the steps to prepare, you are already ahead. The fact that you are approaching this thoughtfully says something about your commitment to your own well-being. Trust the preparation you have done, trust your treatment team, and give yourself permission to simply show up and see what unfolds.

References

• MedlinePlus: Ketamine Injection — National Library of Medicine drug information on ketamine, including precautions and side effects
• SAMHSA: National Helpline — Free, confidential 24/7 helpline for mental health and substance use referrals
• NIMH: Depression Overview — National Institute of Mental Health information on depression and available treatments