Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy
Approach
Every path to healing has value, but KAH (Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy) offers a unique combination of medical innovation and therapeutic insight.
Preparation
SET THE FOUNDATION
Meet with Dr. Simon to review your goals, discuss your health history, answer questions, and establish a meaningful intention for your session.
Integration
THE HEALING EXPERIENCE
Receive Ketamine in a safe, supportive environment while Dr. Simon guides reflection and therapeutic exploration, helping you engage with insights as they emerge.
Transformation
PUTTING INSIGHT INTO ACTION
Work with Dr. Simon to process your experience, identify meaningful breakthroughs, and create practical strategies that support lasting growth and well-being.
How Ketamine and Hypnotherapy Work Together
Let’s break down ketamine first:
- Ketamine blocks these NMDA receptors, which are important for brain signaling. When that happens, it causes a surge of glutamate in other parts of the brain activating AMPA receptors. This AMPA activation sparks a chain reaction that leads to the rapid creation of new synaptic connections, especially in the prefrontal cortex. That’s part of why ketamine can show antidepressant effects in just hours, unlike the usual four to six weeks you’d wait with standard antidepressants.
Now, onto hypnotherapy:
- Hypnotherapy helps focus your attention and lowers the usual “gatekeeping” from your conscious mind, making you more open to suggestions and new perspectives. Ketamine’s dissociative effects might further reduce that gatekeeping, which is why the combo could take you deeper into a hypnotic state than hypnotherapy alone. A study from 2025 in the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders looked into this pairing for depression. They found thatamine’s ability to boost suggestibility could make hypnotic suggestions more effective. But keep in mind, research on this specific combo is still pretty new. Meanwhile, NIMH-funded studies are continuing to exploreamine’s quick effects on depression in general. This is just a general overview of how the treatment is thought to work and doesn’t promise results for any individual.
Is KAH right for you?
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KAH is primarily considered for individuals with depression, anxiety, and PTSD who have not responded adequately to standard treatments, a condition known as treatment-resistant. This typically means that the individual has tried at least two different antidepressant medications at proper doses for a full 6 to 8 weeks each, without achieving significant improvement.
You might be a suitable candidate if you:
- Have treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or PTSD
- Are open to hypnotherapy as a treatment option (as some individuals respond more favorably to hypnotic suggestion)
- Are medically stable enough to handle a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure
- Acknowledge that this is a series-based treatment rather than a quick fix
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You may be screened out or require additional caution if you have:
- A history of psychosis or schizophrenia
- An active, unmanaged substance use disorder
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure or significant heart disease
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Poorly controlled bipolar disorder, due to the risk of mania
- Untreated glaucoma or elevated intracranial pressure
Please note, this is not a self-diagnosis tool; it serves as an overview of what your provider will evaluate during the intake process.
FAQ
What is Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy (KAH)
Ketamine Assisted Hypnotherapy is a treatment approach that combines the use of ketamine, a medication with anesthetic and analgesic properties, with hypnotherapy, a form of therapy that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to help individuals access their subconscious mind.
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What conditions can Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy Treat?
Ketamine Assisted Hypnotherapy has shown promising results in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and chronic pain.
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How is Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy Administered
Ketamine Assisted Hypnotherapy is typically administered by a licensed healthcare provider, who will first evaluate the individual and determine if they are a good candidate for the treatment. The individual will then receive a low-dose infusion of ketamine while being guided into a hypnotic state by a trained hypnotherapist.
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Is Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy Safe?
While ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for decades, there are potential risks and side effects associated with the treatment, such as dissociation, nausea, and increased heart rate. It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with a healthcare provider before undergoing Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy.
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How long does a Ketamine-Assisted Hypnotherapy session last?
The length of a Ketamine Assisted Hypnotherapy session can vary depending on the individual and their specific needs, but they typically last between 60-90 minutes.
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What does "treatment-resistant" mean?The length of a Ketamine Assisted Hypnotherapy session can vary depending on the individual and their specific needs, but they typically last between 60-90 minutes.
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