November 1, 2026
Considering Ketamine Therapy? What to Know Before Your First Treatment
Considering ketamine therapy can bring up a lot of questions. Am I a good candidate? What does an infusion feel like? How should I prepare? What happens afterward?
Those are exactly the kinds of questions your first consultation is designed to answer.
Ketamine therapy with WellCentric Health begins with a conversation about your health, symptoms, previous treatments, and goals. From there, we can develop an individualized treatment plan and help you feel prepared for what comes next.
If you are considering ketamine therapy in Reno, NV, here is what to know before your first treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy may be considered for people dealing with persistent mental health symptoms, particularly when medications, psychotherapy, or other conventional approaches have not provided the level of relief they are looking for.
Ketamine has been used to support patients with conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and certain forms of chronic pain.
Your consultation allows your physician to understand your medical history, current medications, previous treatments, symptoms, and goals so your care can be tailored to you.
What Happens at a Ketamine Therapy Consultation?
Your first step is getting a clear picture of your health and what you hope to accomplish through treatment.
Your physician will review your medical and mental health history, current medications and supplements, previous treatments, and the symptoms you are experiencing.
This is also your opportunity to ask questions and better understand how ketamine therapy could fit into your overall care.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work Differently?
Many traditional antidepressants primarily influence neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine. Ketamine works through a different pathway involving the brain’s glutamate system.
Glutamate plays an important role in communication between brain cells and neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections.
This different mechanism is one of the reasons ketamine has become an important option to explore for people looking for another approach to mental health treatment.
Learn more about how it works on our Ketamine Therapy page.
What Happens During Your First Ketamine Infusion?
Knowing what to expect can make your first treatment feel much more comfortable.
IV ketamine therapy takes place in our Reno medical office with Dr. Robert Watson present during treatment. An IV allows the medication to be administered gradually while your response is monitored throughout the session.
What Does a Ketamine Infusion Feel Like?
For mood disorders, an infusion typically lasts about 40 minutes.
During treatment, you may notice temporary changes in perception, thought, your sense of time, or awareness of your surroundings. People often describe the experience as dreamlike, peaceful, or deeply reflective.
The experience is individual, and our team is there to support you throughout your treatment.
For more information about the infusion experience, visit our Ketamine Therapy FAQ.
How Should You Prepare for Ketamine Therapy?
Your care team will provide specific instructions before your appointment, but a little planning can help you feel more relaxed going into treatment.
Arrange a Ride Home
Plan for someone you trust to drive you home following your infusion. Having transportation arranged ahead of time makes treatment day easier and gives you time to transition out of the experience comfortably.
Give Yourself Time After Your Infusion
Try to leave some space in your schedule following treatment rather than moving immediately into a busy afternoon or evening.
Giving yourself time to rest can help you ease back into your normal routine.
Bring Your Questions
Your consultation and treatment visits are a chance to learn.
Ask about your treatment schedule, what your physician will be monitoring, what you may experience during an infusion, and how progress will be evaluated throughout your treatment series.
What Happens After Your First Ketamine Treatment?
Ketamine therapy is generally approached as a series of treatments, with your progress evaluated along the way.
Some people begin noticing changes relatively quickly, while others experience more gradual changes over the course of treatment.
For many patients at WellCentric Health, the initial treatment plan includes five infusions over approximately two and a half weeks. We assess how you are doing throughout that process and personalize the next steps based on your response and goals.
Progress can show up in different ways, including changes in mood, sleep, motivation, thought patterns, or your ability to engage more fully in everyday life.
Considering Ketamine Therapy in Reno, NV? Start With WellCentric Health
WellCentric Health provides physician-directed ketamine therapy in Reno, Nevada, and takes the time to understand your history, answer your questions, and develop a treatment plan around your individual needs.
If you are curious about whether ketamine therapy could be the next step in your mental health care, schedule a consultation with WellCentric Health or call (775) 335-2044 to learn more.
