Starting any new treatment for OCD can feel daunting, especially when you’ve already tried multiple approaches without adequate relief. If you’re considering ketamine therapy, you’re likely wondering what the actual process looks like day-to-day and week-to-week. The typical ketamine treatment protocol for OCD involves six infusion sessions over three to four weeks, with each 40-minute infusion potentially providing relief that becomes noticeable within hours and may last for days or weeks (Rodriguez et al., 2013). While individual responses vary significantly, understanding the general timeline helps you prepare mentally and practically for what lies ahead. This week-by-week guide walks you through the initial treatment phase based on both clinical research and the experiences of patients who’ve completed this journey.
Before Week One: The Consultation and Preparation Phase
Your ketamine journey actually begins before your first infusion, with a comprehensive consultation that typically takes place by phone. At Mindful Infusions, this initial conversation allows our medical team to review your complete treatment history, current medications, medical conditions, and specific OCD symptoms. We need to understand what you’ve already tried, how you responded, and whether you have any contraindications that would make ketamine therapy inappropriate.
This consultation serves a dual purpose: it helps us determine if you’re a good candidate for ketamine treatment, and it gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the process, costs, potential side effects, and expected outcomes. We’re honest during these conversations—ketamine isn’t appropriate for everyone, and results vary by individual. Some patients experience dramatic improvement, others partial response, and some no significant change in their OCD symptoms.
If you decide to move forward after consultation, you’ll receive intake paperwork to complete. We offer separate intake forms depending on whether you’re pursuing standard medically supervised ketamine sessions or Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). For KAP, you’ll also begin preparation sessions with Ibrahim, our Licensed Clinical Social Worker trained through the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute. These preparation sessions help you develop intentions for your work and establish healthy self-care practices to support your wellness before, throughout, and after treatment.
During this preparation phase, there are practical matters to arrange. You’ll need transportation for each infusion appointment, as you cannot drive for several hours after treatment. Many patients schedule infusions during times when a family member or friend can accompany them. You’ll also want to clear your schedule for several hours after each session—while some people return to normal activities quickly, it’s wise to give yourself space for rest and reflection.
Week One: First Infusions and Initial Response
Your first infusion typically occurs in a comfortable, calming environment. At our Salt Lake City, Blanding, and St. George locations, we’ve tailored the interior design, background music, and overall atmosphere to encourage healing and integration. The ketamine is administered intravenously over approximately 40 minutes while you recline comfortably. A medical professional remains present throughout the entire process, monitoring your vital signs and ensuring your safety.
During the infusion, you may experience dissociative effects—a sense of detachment from your physical body or surroundings, sometimes described as a dream-like or floating state. These effects are normal and typically resolve within a few hours after the infusion is completed. Some patients find these experiences uncomfortable initially, while others describe them as interesting or even therapeutic. If you’re pursuing KAP, these dissociative states can become opportunities for psychological exploration and insight when properly supported through therapeutic integration.
The most remarkable aspect of ketamine treatment for OCD is the speed of potential response. Unlike SSRIs that require weeks or months to take effect, some patients report reduced obsessive thoughts within hours of their first infusion. Research indicates that 50% of OCD patients receiving ketamine met criteria for treatment response (defined as 35% or greater reduction on the Y-BOCS scale) one week after a single infusion, compared to 0% receiving placebo (Rodriguez et al., 2013).
However, it’s crucial to manage expectations appropriately. Not everyone responds immediately, and initial responses can be subtle rather than dramatic. You might notice that intrusive thoughts still occur but feel less “sticky” or compelling. The urge to perform compulsions might decrease slightly. Some patients describe it as gaining a bit of distance or perspective on their OCD, rather than symptoms disappearing entirely.
In your first week, you’ll typically receive two to three infusions, often scheduled two to three days apart. We use the Osmind app to help you track your mood and symptoms in real time, which allows both you and our team to monitor how you’re responding to treatment. This tracking is valuable because subtle improvements are easier to measure than to remember subjectively.
Common side effects during the first week include mild nausea (which we can treat effectively with anti-nausea medication like Zofran), temporary tiredness, slight dizziness, and the dissociative effects during and immediately after infusions. These side effects are generally manageable and resolve within hours. Rarely, some patients experience headaches or a prolonged dissociative state beyond the treatment session—our medical team knows how to address these issues quickly if they occur.
Week Two: Building on Initial Response
During your second week of treatment, you’ll continue with your scheduled infusions, typically receiving two to three additional sessions. This is when patterns often begin emerging more clearly. Some patients notice that the relief from their first infusion lasted a few days before OCD symptoms started creeping back, but that relief extends longer after subsequent infusions. Others experience cumulative effects, with each infusion building on the previous one.
If you’re doing KAP rather than infusions alone, your second week likely includes integration sessions between ketamine treatments. These therapy sessions help you process any insights or experiences from the infusions and work on applying them to your daily life. Ibrahim’s role is to walk with you through this process, helping you understand and integrate powerful experiences while also maintaining healthy self-care practices.
The second week is also when you might start noticing broader effects beyond just OCD symptom reduction. Many patients report improvements in mood, reduced anxiety, or a general sense that the “blanket of depression” has temporarily lifted. This experience can be incredibly powerful, particularly if you’ve lived with OCD for years. Patients sometimes describe it as finally remembering what “normal” feels like—a reminder that OCD doesn’t define them and that these symptoms can be temporary.
From a practical standpoint, the second week is when you and your treatment team assess how you’re responding. Are your Y-BOCS scores decreasing? Are you able to resist compulsions more easily? Do intrusive thoughts feel less distressing or occur less frequently? This ongoing assessment helps determine whether the standard six-session protocol is appropriate or if adjustments might be beneficial.
It’s during this week that some patients experience what researchers call “carryover effects”—the anti-OCD benefits extending well beyond the acute effects of the ketamine itself (Rodriguez et al., 2013). While the dissociative effects resolve within hours, the therapeutic benefits on OCD symptoms can persist for days or even weeks in some individuals.
Week Three: Completing Initial Series
By your third week, you’re nearing completion of the initial loading dose of six infusions. Research suggests this is the point where response becomes more clearly established. A study examining repeated ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant OCD found significant reductions in Y-BOCS scores after a mean of 5.4 sessions, with one patient showing dramatic response and two showing partial response (Sharma et al., 2020).
During this week, you and your treatment team will evaluate your overall response to the initial series. Some patients achieve substantial symptom reduction—describing experiences like “I tried to have OCD thoughts, but I couldn’t” or “I feel as if the weight of OCD has been lifted.” Others experience more modest but still meaningful improvements, such as reducing time spent on rituals from four hours daily to one hour, or being able to postpone compulsions more successfully.
It’s important to understand that ketamine cannot “cure” OCD—nothing can. Ketamine is best thought of as providing rapid and significant relief, which when combined with psychotherapy and maintenance treatments can greatly diminish OCD’s impact on your life. The goal isn’t to eliminate every trace of symptoms but to reduce distress, interference, and frequency to a level where you maintain control.
This week often includes discussions about what comes next. For many patients, the relief from the initial series begins to wane after two to three weeks without additional treatment. This is where maintenance scheduling becomes important. Some patients benefit from booster infusions every two to three weeks, while others can extend to monthly sessions. The frequency depends entirely on your individual response and symptom patterns.
If you’re doing KAP, your third week continues the integration work. The combination of ketamine and psychotherapy may offer advantages over ketamine alone, particularly when paired with exposure and response prevention techniques. The ketamine can provide a window of reduced OCD symptoms during which ERP becomes more accessible and less overwhelming.
Week Four and Beyond: Transitioning to Maintenance
After completing your initial six infusions over three to four weeks, you enter the maintenance phase. This transition requires careful planning and realistic expectations. The remission of OCD symptoms can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the individual, but most patients find that symptoms gradually return without ongoing maintenance treatment.
Maintenance protocols vary significantly based on your response. Some patients schedule two booster infusions every three to four weeks. Others come in when they feel symptoms intensifying. A few patients require more frequent maintenance, while others find they can extend longer between sessions. We work collaboratively with you to find a maintenance schedule that maintains symptom improvement while minimizing treatment burden and cost.
The fourth week is also when you assess the overall value of ketamine therapy for your specific situation. Questions to consider include: How much has your functional impairment improved? Are you able to work more effectively, maintain relationships more easily, or engage in activities OCD previously prevented? What’s the cost-benefit balance of ongoing maintenance sessions?
For patients in Utah—whether you’re in Salt Lake City, Blanding, St. George, or throughout the Wasatch Front—we’re committed to making maintenance treatment accessible through multiple locations. We also continue working to establish insurance acceptance, which will make ketamine therapy more financially feasible for individuals who could benefit.
Three Practical Takeaways for Your First Month
As you consider or begin ketamine treatment for OCD, these three strategies will help optimize your experience:
- Establish Clear Symptom Tracking
Before your first infusion, identify your three most distressing OCD symptoms and rate their severity daily. Use the Osmind app if you’re working with us, or create a simple tracking system. This baseline allows you to measure actual change rather than relying on subjective memory, which can be unreliable during treatment.
- Arrange Practical Support
Ensure you have reliable transportation for each session and a comfortable place to rest for several hours afterward. If you’re pursuing KAP, also schedule your integration therapy sessions in advance. The logistical aspects of treatment matter—patients who struggle with transportation, scheduling conflicts, or lack of post-infusion support often have more difficulty completing the full treatment course.
- Maintain Your Existing Treatment
Ketamine therapy works best as part of comprehensive OCD care, not as standalone treatment. Continue working with your existing therapist if you have one, maintain any medications your psychiatrist has prescribed (unless specifically advised otherwise), and use the symptom relief from ketamine as an opportunity to practice ERP techniques or other therapeutic strategies you’ve learned.
Understanding the Financial and Time Investment
Ketamine therapy requires both financial resources and time commitment. Each infusion session takes 40 minutes for the actual infusion plus preparation and monitoring time. If you’re doing KAP, add therapy sessions for preparation and integration. Over your first month, this represents a significant time investment beyond typical once-weekly therapy.
Financially, ketamine therapy is typically a cash-pay service, though we’re working to expand insurance acceptance. We’re significantly more affordable than most local competitors, but exact costs depend on your treatment plan. If financial concerns are preventing you from exploring this option, we encourage honest conversation during your free consultation. Sometimes creative scheduling or payment arrangements can make treatment accessible when it initially seemed impossible.
The time and financial investment must be weighed against the potential benefits. For some patients, ketamine therapy provides breakthrough relief that allows them to return to work, restore relationships, or simply reclaim quality of life that OCD had stolen. For others, the response is more modest or temporary. Only you can determine whether the potential benefits justify the investment for your situation.
Moving Forward: Is Ketamine Right for You?
This week-by-week guide provides a general framework, but individual experiences vary considerably. Some patients respond dramatically to their first infusion, while others need several sessions before noticing change. Some find that relief extends for weeks or months, while others need frequent maintenance. Some experience uncomfortable side effects, while others tolerate treatment easily.
At Mindful Infusions, we’re committed to providing honest, individualized assessment rather than promising universal results. We’ve personally performed thousands of ketamine infusions across our locations, and we’ve seen the full spectrum of responses. Our passion is providing quality, collaborative treatment for people who are suffering from complicated and treatment-resistant conditions.
If you’re struggling with OCD that hasn’t responded adequately to traditional treatments, we invite you to schedule a free phone consultation. During this conversation, we can discuss your specific symptom profile, treatment history, and whether ketamine therapy makes sense for your situation. We serve patients throughout Utah, with convenient locations in Salt Lake City, Blanding, and St. George.
Treatment outcomes vary by individual, and ketamine isn’t appropriate for everyone. But for those who are good candidates and who respond to treatment, ketamine therapy can provide rapid relief and create opportunities for healing that weren’t possible with conventional approaches alone. Your first month of ketamine treatment is just the beginning of what we hope will be a journey toward greater freedom from OCD’s grip on your life.
Ready to explore whether ketamine therapy is right for your OCD? Contact Mindful Infusions today to schedule your free consultation: (385) 299-0473 for Salt Lake City or (435) 412-2773 for Blanding. You can also reach us toll-free at 1 (888) 945-8229 or email info@mindfulinfusions.com.
References
Rodriguez, C. I., Kegeles, L. S., Levinson, A., et al. (2013). Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial of Ketamine in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Proof-of-Concept. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(12), 2475-2483. https://www.nature.com/articles/npp2013150
Sharma, L. P., Thamby, A., Balachander, S., et al. (2020). Clinical utility of repeated intravenous ketamine treatment for resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 52, 102183. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201820302951
Rodrigues, N. B., McIntyre, R. S., Lipsitz, O., et al. (2022). Ketamine in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 147, 307-314. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35267254/
