How Long Does Ketamine Last? Timeline & the Aftereffects That Matter
Over the past few years, ketamine has evolved into more than an anesthetic, with emergent research and clinical applications showing it can be incredibly effective at treating certain mental disorders as well.
If you’re thinking of trying ketamine, you need to know a few things. Namely, just how long does ketamine last? While ketamine can be considered a psychedelic, ketamine therapies have their own unique effects, applications, and timelines. Here’s what you need to know about the duration of a ketamine trip, and what to expect after you come down.
How Long Does Ketamine Last?
Onset: Ketamine trips are shorter than many other guided psychedelic experiences. According to current research, “peak bioavailability” occurs within 5 to 30 minutes, if administered intravenously. As with all drugs, the delivery mechanism can influence how long it takes for ketamine to produce perceptible effects. Intramuscular shots and nasal spray (which utilizes a ketamine derivative called eskatamine) are other standard delivery methods.
The trip: Ketamine’s duration of action lasts between 5 and 15 minutes for intravenous use (with this timing changing for other modes of use). As ketamine binds to serotonin and glutamate receptors in the brain, users experience sensations like:
- Profound relaxation
- Dissociation
- Sensory pleasure
More casually, ketamine trips are often described as floating outside your body – you’re detached from the woes and worries of life and are able to take a broad, bird’s eye look at intimate problems from afar, affording a more holistic perspective.
The Ketamine “Afterglow”
Ketamine trips are relatively short lived compared to “classic” psychedelics such as LSD or mushrooms, which have effects that can persist for 6-8+ hours. Ketamine, by contrast, takes hold quickly, producing a “rapid behavioral antidepressant response” within just an hour or two of ingestion.
After the patient comes down from their trip – and when paired with proper integration – they’re likely to experience a ketamine “afterglow”; feelings of elation, positivity, and mindfulness. Think of the afterglow effect like slowly losing speed after sledding down a snowy hill; as the ground levels out, you gradually glide to a stop, happy as can be.
According to the American Addiction Centers, several other factors affect the duration of the ketamine afterglow, including:
- Age
- Stature
- Metabolism
- Liver and kidney health
How Long Ketamine Stays in Your System
While ketamine trips may be relatively brief, the residual effects are clinically compelling for those suffering from conditions such as depression or anxiety. Some data have shown a “reduction in or removal of suicidal ideation and depression symptoms” for three to six days.
Patients engaged in ketamine therapy regimens undergo treatments on a weekly or bi-weekly basis over a period of months, receiving regular doses that prolong these positive impacts on mental health.
Detectability & Residual Effects
Ketamine’s acute effects are fairly short-lived, but trace amounts of the drug can remain detectable in your system long after you come down from your trip.
- Some studies have highlighted ketamine metabolites as detectable in urine samples for up to 14 days after treatment.
- For chronic recreational users, that timeline may stretch much longer – up to or beyond 90 days in some cases.
You won’t notice residual effects from a single ketamine treatment weeks after ingestion. However, extended therapeutic regimens can augment mental health for three to six months or more.
The Importance of Integration
The trip itself may be the most physically exhilarating part of using ketamine, but the hours and days after are where the real progress occurs. Integration practices set and glue together the various aspects of your mental and spiritual journey, ensuring your insights coalesce into something actionable.
At Beckley Retreats, our staff of clinicians and facilitators boasts decades of evidence-based practice. Ketamine retreats take place over the course of a weekend – ample time is allotted for integration sessions, where you and your steward work together to refine and, well, integrate everything, so you can head home refreshed, enlightened, and ready to tackle whatever life throws your way.
The TL;DR
Ketamine isn’t an all-day affair. While you’ll generally receive multiple ketamine treatments over a period of weeks or months, the individual sessions last about an hour or two. Here’s an overview of the timeline:
- Effects begin within 5 to 30 minutes after administration, depending on the delivery mechanism.
- The peak lasts for about 15 minutes (depending on the delivery method) before sensations gradually subside.
- Residual benefits persist for a few days to a week after the session, and longer if you repeat treatment.
Treatment can have a lasting impact on mental health; anxiety and depression symptom mitigation or relief can last a week or two. Ketamine can remain detectable in urine up to two weeks after treatment – chronic users can have trace amounts in bodily fluids and tissues for months.
The bottom line: Although acute effects are brief, residual benefits to ketamine treatment compound over time, if dosed properly and administered under qualified guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I feel ‘out of it’ after a ketamine session?
The main effects of ketamine typically fade between 1 to 3 hours. That said, plan for and allow yourself extra rest, as you may feel tired for the remainder of the day.
Do the antidepressant effects of ketamine last forever?
Research is ongoing. Right now, it appears that a single session of ketamine treatment can produce effects which last up to several weeks. Lasting change is best achieved through a series of sessions, combined with dedicated integration practices.
Can I drive home after a ketamine session?
No, you will be too disoriented. Generally speaking, clinics require patients to have arranged transportation both to and from the appointment, since ketamine can impair coordination for up to 24 hours.
Will a higher dose of ketamine make the effects last longer?
It can, but this also increases risks, and should only be determined by a medical professional who is familiar with your needs and circumstances.
Sources
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