Personal Nirvana: How does ketamine therapy work?

When we started Personal Nirvana, the idea was simple: explore the world of psychedelics, self-care, and mental health, and see what sticks. I don’t claim to be the expert here—that’s where my co-host, Dr. Marcel Green, comes in. Marcel’s the brain of this operation, a guy who’s spent years helping people navigate the murky waters of their mental health with tools like ketamine therapy. I just ask the questions, hopefully the ones you’d want answers to, and he breaks it down for us.

In this episode, we dug into ketamine therapy—a treatment that’s getting a lot of buzz lately but still feels misunderstood by most people. It’s not the sort of thing you just jump into without knowing what you’re doing, and Marcel made that clear right out of the gate.

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Managing Chaos: Marcel’s Take

Before we even got to ketamine, we talked about the state of the world. Let’s be honest—it’s been rough out there for the past few years. How do you stay sane when everything feels like it’s spiraling? Marcel’s advice is surprisingly simple: stay present. It’s not about ignoring what’s going on around you, but about choosing what you let into your space. He talks about being intentional with what you consume—whether it’s the news, social media, or even the conversations you have—and making sure those things add something positive to your day. It’s not groundbreaking advice, but it hits differently when you hear it from someone like him.

What Is Ketamine Therapy, Really?

Then we got into the meat of it: ketamine. Marcel explained that ketamine is a dissociative psychedelic, which basically means it can help you step outside your usual thought patterns. That sounds nice in theory, but it also comes with risks if you don’t approach it carefully. The whole point of using ketamine in therapy is to safely create this altered state, so you can gain new perspectives on your mental health challenges.

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Here’s the thing that stuck with me: you can’t just grab a nasal spray and start experimenting. Marcel emphasized the importance of guided sessions with someone who knows what they’re doing, especially if it’s your first time. Start low and slow. If the dose is too high, you risk what’s commonly called a “bad trip,” which can leave you feeling terrified and disoriented. It’s not about scaring you away, but about helping you understand how to approach this with the right mindset and tools.

The Experience: More Than a High

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was how Marcel described the actual experience of ketamine therapy. He said it’s like stepping into an abstract space, where you can explore parts of your mind that are usually locked away. It’s not just about feeling better—it’s about understanding yourself in a completely different way.

And here’s where I think ketamine stands apart from more traditional treatments, like antidepressants. Marcel calls it “experiential therapy.” Instead of a therapist telling you to try seeing things differently, ketamine helps you actually feelthat shift in perspective. That feeling, he says, can be transformative in a way that talking alone often isn’t.

Breaking Stigmas and Overcoming Hesitation

Of course, not everyone’s ready to jump on the psychedelic train. Marcel talked about the stigma that still surrounds treatments like ketamine, especially among older generations. You’ve probably heard the horror stories—someone taking too much and losing it, or the old “guy-on-mushrooms-jumping-off-a-building” trope. Marcel approaches this hesitation gently, breaking down the misconceptions and focusing on the science behind these therapies.

For him, it’s about meeting people where they are. If someone isn’t ready, that’s fine. But if they’re curious, he’s there to walk them through the process and show them why it might be worth considering.

So, What’s the First Step?

If you’re interested in ketamine therapy, Marcel’s advice is simple: find someone qualified. This isn’t something you DIY after reading a Reddit thread. Look for a clinician with verifiable credentials, and make sure they do a thorough mental health assessment before anything else. The goal is to ensure the treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to your needs.

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Wrapping It Up

This conversation with Marcel gave me a lot to think about. Ketamine therapy isn’t a magic cure, but it’s a tool—a powerful one when used correctly. It’s also not something to rush into without understanding the risks and benefits. That’s why I’m glad to have Marcel as my co-host. He brings the expertise, the science, and, most importantly, the humanity to this conversation.

Next up on the podcast, we’re planning to dive into other psychedelics—ayahuasca, psilocybin, and maybe even LSD. But for now, if you’ve got questions about ketamine or anything else, drop me a line at john@keepgoingpod.com. Marcel and I are here to help unpack this fascinating, often misunderstood world.

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