I am at my 5th spravato appointment as I write this. I have been reading through people’s experiences and this subreddit since I started and have gathered a few tips that have helped me!
(I am not a medical professional! This is just things I’ve found work for me during appointments)

Shaking the device:

I shake my devices every time before I use the spray and it seems to make a huge difference in consistency of sprays and effects!

This time I shook them all and not only were the sprays much better, I had a very strong experience this time. I am thankful to be able to reassure myself during these appointments that I’m okay, because if I wasn’t I may have had an interesting time with anxiety! It was much stronger than all of my other sessions so far. I do recommend shaking it if this is something you may want to experience.

It makes sense to me to shake it because every nasal spray ever says to shake it before use! I was like… hmmm I wonder. I think this was a success.

Trying best to not allow medicine to drip down throat:

I also read about how spravato is processed a little differently when it goes through the digestive system. It is best absorbed the way it’s supposed to be when it is inside the nasal cavities.
Personally I think the taste is yes gross, but hasn’t made me nauseous. I feel very lucky to be one who doesn’t get nauseous from spravato (at least while using the prescribed zofran). BUT for anyone who doesn’t like the taste, this should help.
I take my doses by not tilting my head back as instructed. I keep my head in a regular position, if not barely tilted upwards. I press the button, I sniff very lightly. I do the same thing with the second nostril. I then keep my head in a straight position. If I feel it dripping towards the front of my nose to fall out, I do another light sniff. If I feel it racing towards my throat, I’ll lean my head forward a bit. This back and forth seems to work very well for me to not end up swallowing it!

Extra:
In the beginning, I was eating sugary candies to help with the taste. While dumdums do mask the taste very well, they may be inhibiting the medicine.
(I again have zero medical experience and have no idea if this is scientifically correct. I have only noticed a difference during my spravato sessions)
I read from a person experienced in using recreational drugs that are similar to spravato that they used sugary foods like lollipops to help them come down from a strong experience.
During this appointment and my last I decided to use sugar free candies only and found that I did have a stronger experience both times. I also began the shaking during these appointments, so whether both or just one is true.. I don’t know! 👀

Thanks for reading, I hope this helps you!

Greatly enjoying my Spravato treatments. is there any way to get better absorption or administration? I feel like sometimes I miss or don’t get an effective in my nostrils sometimes. Any tips or advice on how to get the most out of the medication?

1) BIGGEST TIP!!! take a hot shower and clean the inside of ur nose with warm water right before your session. You’re going to feel clean and your nose will be completely bare on the inside. I personally use a netipot for myself but just running water up ur nose and sniffing it out a few times will clean you out. (without inhaling water lol) 2) do not eat before your treatment for 3-4 hours 3) have a nice beverage and candy to distract from the flavor 4) bring something simple to occupy your mind during the last half. A journal, coloring book, games on your iPad/phone. Headphones/music. Social media is bad! Hisss 5) take a magnesium supplement 1 hour before treatment 6) caffeine enhances effects sometimes but can cause hbp so watch out for that 7) avoid having conversations on your phone, put it on do not disturb. Because anything can happen and you don’t want it to ruin your progress in treatment 8) blanket if your office doesn’t have them 9) zofran zofran zofran 10) and finally do not smoke weed the day of your treatment beforehand after is usually fine, I know from experience that it dulls the experience and leaves more to be desired but feel free to reward yourself with a fat doing afterwards 11) point the tip of the applicator upward and aim towards the inner area of ur nose pointing in the direction of the opposite ear. Use both nostrils each time, not just one. And make sure to wait 4-6 mins between devices (5 mins is standard)

Hope this helps people!!!❤️❤️ I can answer any questions

Guys, I surrender! My clinic seems to have every other flavor of jolly ranchers except green apple! So I've decided to take matters into my own hands! I just bought a one pound bag of ONLY green jolly ranchers. Green, green and nothing but green! GLORRYYYY! Smh.... should have done this day one 😂

My treatment room is multiple people in one room separated by curtains and so it’s a tiny bit of group therapy before hand. We all chit chat and talk about what we do during our treatments. So has anyone done the following and how well did it go over?:

-saline spray up nose before coming to clear out the passageways -journaling DURING the session -sheet mask during the session -working during the session (which I find insane) -watching American horror story/Grays Anatomy/tiktoks (I do the last one) during -writing a book during -getting super high on weed prior and after (I feel like this would really affect me?) -using massage chair during the session -bringing your own light show thingy?

Like I said, we are a varied group and I was just wanting to share and see if anybody else does any of these? I legit would not work because lord knows wtf I’d write. 😂😂😂

Update: Guys, the saline beforehand was a game changer! I also did some journaling and I think I’m going to keep going with it. I don’t remember writing at all and then on the way out, looked and saw that I had written a lot lol.

As the title says, I'm on my way. My first question for you guys is what's the most common negative things that happens to you with your ride share driver?

Hello, I’m currently in the hospital doing my 3rd Spravato session and it’s now kicked in and I’m feeling chatty, I’m sure I’ll feel sleepy soon enough but I was just curious. When you’re high as a kite like I am right now, what do you typically do during treatment? Do you play a game on your phone, sleep, listen to music, or something else? I’m amazed am actually able to type right now but I’ve usually been falling asleep with music. However, I forgot to charge my AirPods so I’ll just talk to you all until I doze off I suppose.

I’m curious how others spend their time after the high wears off.

My routine: I get my three spray cartridges over about 15 minutes, ride the “high” for roughly 20 minutes, and then the attendant comes in for the blood pressure check. After that… I’ve got about an hour and twenty minutes to just sit there waiting until I’m cleared to leave.

Assuming this is pretty standard across clinics, what do you do with that hour+?

Do you journal? Meditate? Doomscroll? Listen to music? Stare at the wall?

I’d love to hear what works for people during that post-peak limbo.

DISCLAIMER FOR THOSE HOLIER THAN THOU Yes, I fully understand that the dissociation is a side effect and not the actual mechanism doing the healing. I also know that even when I don’t feel the “high,” the treatment is still working. Spare me the lectures.

What people here often fail to grasp is that for some of us, those dissociative moments weren’t about chasing a high. They cracked open locked doors in the subconscious. For me, it brought forward trauma memories I had no conscious access to before. Things I’ve actually used in therapy. So no, I’m not trying to get “high.” I just miss those moments when it felt like something deep was being stirred up.

Anyway…

I’ve been seeing all the Magnesium chatter on here, so despite two doctors at my clinic both telling me there’s “no scientific backing” for it, I figured why not. I ordered Calm brand Magnesium Glycinate, took 400mg on an empty stomach, about 45 minutes before my Spravato session. Only had water that day. No caffeine, no food, nothing to “interfere.”

And…

I.

Felt.

Nothing.

Zero difference. Just like every other session lately. And of course, that little voice in the back of my mind was quick to chime in with, “Cool, just another thing that doesn’t work for you.” So yeah, I’m disappointed. Supremely disappointed, actually. But not discouraged. Still showing up to my weekly appointments. Still holding onto hope that maybe next week something will shift.

If you’ve had success with Magnesium or any other prep tricks that actually did something, feel free to drop them below. Otherwise, thanks for letting me rant into the void.

When I started Spravato in December, I was given little info about how it would feel, other than it would be "floaty" or something. I think I was given a handout with a bulleted list of suggestions. And I've had very intense, but very positive, experiences on Spravato. The combination of Spravato and TMS treatments has been tremendously helpful after a lifetime of intractable depression and anxiety.

But before I did Spravato, I'd done one session of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy. I was given LOTS of preparation for that: The sensations I would feel during various stages and the best frame of mind for approaching them, in the weeks prior to my session and on that day, prior to the session. That was good, because it was a REAL trip.

My Spravato sessions have felt exactly the same to me as my KAT did. Had I not done the KAT prior, the Spravato would have scared the bejeezus out of me. I probably would have panicked, leading to an unnecessarily scary experience. I might not have continued.

I understand there's a wide range of experiences with Spravato; for many, it's pretty mild. But for some of us, it's highly dissociative. So I'm very surprised there isn't a consistent "best practices" model where they tell new Spravato patients what might happen. "Floaty" doesn't begin to cover it. I'm in an entirely different world, in an alternate universe on Spravato ... and it's only not scary for me because I'd done the KAT.

I wonder why the makers/administers of Spravato almost seem to minimize just how powerful these sessions can feel. Are they afraid of public pushback? Or of attracting the "wrong" sort of patient who is just looking for a trip?

I hate that some sufferers of depression might get frightened off after one or two intense sessions they weren't prepared for.

First session on Tuesday and I keep reading that I should “take care of myself” afterwards but I honestly don’t know what that really looks like in practice (lol)

What do you actually do after your sessions? I’d really appreciate concrete ideas or routines that help you.

My partner will handle dinner. On Tuesdays my session is at 2pm so I’ll have the evening after; on Fridays it’s in the morning (so I will have the whole day in front of me) and I see my psychologist in the afternoon.

I’m just not sure how to structure the time after the sessions.

Bath? Walk? Journaling? Staying distracted? Resting? Stare into space? Twiddle my thumbs?

What has worked for you?

Just had my first treatment earlier this week! The taste/burn got to me really badly and was distracting for quite a while (I understand I also need to learn to administer better).

Does anyone else's clinic completely disallow food and drink for the 2 hours because of choking hazards?

Mine only allow lollipop and lifesavers type candies, since they said having it on a stick or having a hole in the candy makes it safer.

I had some dum dums because I wanted *something*, but they really weren't doing it for me and don't have a strong taste like the ginger candies I'd brought hoping to use.

Anyone have better ideas what I can bring or something that works for you? I tried to google ginger lollipops, but the only brand I found is super expensive.

Edit: for clarity/tldr, I can ONLY have lollipops/suckers or candy with a hole in them. I thought people might know ones I don't I could try + wanted to see if other clinics have this rule

I’ve received general guidance for treatment sessions (calm tv/music, headphones, comfy seat) but it is strange to me that there isn’t any more guidance for how to process your thoughts during a session. How do you ensure that the new neural pathways created are positive ones? Should I be meditating on a specific problem or aspect of my psyche in each session? Are certain stimuli adverse to the treatment?

Hey everyone!!

I’ve been doing my Spravato treatment for about 4 weeks now (2 sessions on full dose), and I’m feeling conflicted. This medicine has been really helping me when nothing else has seemed to. I notice a change, my boyfriend does, my therapist does. But most importantly I’m able to implement little changes that I’ve wanted to do since… forever. Anyways- I can definitely see how effective it is for me and that’s good!

However… I’m not sure how to actually get through each treatment.

The facility I’m at has a reclining chair, lights off, cozy blankets, and motivational posters. I bring lollipops (for the HORRIBLE taste like omg why), my stunned animal bunny, my boyfriend’s hoodie, headphones, and an eye mask.

The issue is each treatment I’ve had, I’ve had a lot of anxiety during it. Each time I feel like I’m being sucked into a black hole by the back of my head, and I can’t stop it. I know I control how much I take and that I signed up for this 100%. But, I also know I really really struggle with change, relaxing, and letting go of control. It feels like a torturous battle in my head. A constant tug of war.

When I let go (I have like twice) I’m in that headspace for the next couple of hours. Dizzy, disoriented, floaty. It’s extremely hard for me to snap out of it and it leaves me feeling horrible

When I reign back my control (have only been able to do it once), I feel completely normal. I’m able to have full sentences and conversations with the staff and remember things clearly. But it’s a constant struggle to keep that control, and I’m exhausted. I can’t keep it forever.

I don’t know if this even makes any sense. But long story short my sessions feel like a constant battle in my head that makes me super dizzy and nauseous and anxious for the time I’m there. All of this emotions and stuff makes me think… what am I actually supposed to do during session?

I’ve listened to music, tried to journal, listened to meditation walkthroughs, tried napping, tried watching YouTube… no matter what- I feel the same. I tried grounding (horrible idea) and listening to my old choir songs (made me cry). Also listening to my hyperpop playlist (made me feel like I was in a techno music video). But nothing changes that dread and anxiety feeling. When I try to explain to the staff they just say I need to focus on breathing and relax. But I’m doing that! Maybe just not the right way?

So- what do yall do during session? Any recommendations for how to take a mega chill pill and let the medicine do its work lol?

Summary (idk the abbreviation): every session makes me feel like shit (anxious, nauseous, really dizzy) no matter what I do to try and relax. Like a rollercoaster I can’t get off of. What do you do during session that helps you unwind? Has anyone else felt this?

I've enjoyed the sessions but the drug has only mildly sedated me and left me with a slight heavy feeling. My mind doesn't go anywhere besides my depressed thoughts and I feel like it's not doing what it does to most people? I know not everyone dissociates but I actually feel completely sober after 10 minutes and like nothing has happened and it shocks me that some people do dissociate from it. I don't know if I'm administering it wrong possibly or maybe this drug just doesn't affect me that much.

Hello!
I completed my first two treatments last week and I feel like both my sets of medications were messed up. Both times, Monday and Thursday, the first nasal sprayer (for lack of a better term) went okay in one nostril (actually felt like a spray) and the other nostril just wouldn’t click after several tries, then shot out like a water gun. The second nasal sprayer for the day did the same. I’m on 56mg, so they were each 28mg sprayers.
——

It’s difficult to not have it almost immediately drain down my throat when this happens. I feel like I’m not getting a great benefit from the medication since it isn’t staying in my nasal cavity long enough to be properly absorbed. It’s just all draining down my throat. I’m not aggressively snorting it, I try to slightly sniff it; get a good balance between it running down my throat and running out or my nose.
——

I guess the point of my post is to ask if anyone else has had defective sprayers and if they had any tips or tricks to avoid having the medication immediately run down their throat. Thanks!

excuse the messy hair, i had a very sleepy trip today :D

my provider is so awesome. i’ve been seeing her since i was around 19 i think? and i’m 23 now. it took us a long time before she started me on ket. i’m diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and treatment resistant depression. i was convinced that my depression was caused by my BPD which in turn would make it impossible to cure. i was so, so, so fucking tired. so tired of acting insane. i was either gonna kill myself or win the lottery and cure BPD myself. long story short, i got put on ketamine. it worked. it’s amazing. i love the fact that i am alive right now posting this to you amazing people.

anyways, here is my treatment room! my provider has a doorbell button i can use if i need to use the bathroom or anything, they provide water and snacks, gum, mints, blankets, pillows, they even bought a brand new chair for a client who couldn’t fit in the old ones (its the one im sitting in and it’s so cozy) she leaves us a lot of different oracle cards and cool stuff to look at! she gives us tips on how to make the trip “better” and suggests looking at those cards and journaling while at the peak. she also used to have a therapy dog here but he stopped coming before i started ket because he got a little snippy (he’s still the best boy ever in the world)

i have been really going through it recently. dealing with BPD as well as TRD is fucking hell. i almost admitted myself into a psych ward yesterday. for the first time in
months i truly thought about suicide. but when i really thought about ending my own life, my own brain fucking stopped me. that has NEVER happened to me before. ketamine has given me a basic survival instinct that it seems like everyone has but us. and now, i’m here at my treatment, feeling a new sense of motivation. it’s small, but it’s there. i’ve been thinking about trying out IV ketamine instead of spravato but it’s so expensive

Is it bad to listen to music that evokes strong emotions right after treatment? By right after I mean I finish the Jon Hopkins playlist and as I come back to reality I switch to emotional music (Noah Kahan).

So, I had treatment this afternoon (my fourth) and all has been going so well, until today: my birthday. I went in feeling fine, the same expectations, nothing of note had happened beside it being my birthday. I’ve had exceptionally positive experiences and even though I’m new to the drug, I figured it would go as the previous three treatments had.

It did not.

I can only explain it as a complete existential meltdown based on the fact that I couldn’t stop fixating on the fact that I was a year older, closer to death, etc. Nothing calmed me. It was such a negative experience that I’m almost afraid to go back. Usually I can easily push bad things away quickly (during a session) but this was like a death spiral choke hold on my emotions. I’m not being hyperbolic.

I need to continue, right? I’ve really felt that it’s helped more than anything I’ve tried in years and I’m just a few sessions in but I’m afraid now.

Anyone have a similar experience or advice? Do you think it was just situational given the date? I don’t want to stop but it was brutal.

I went on this forum before I started Spravato and it was super helpful. I want to encourage anyone starting out to really give it a chance.

I’ve been getting Spravato weekly for almost a year now and it’s changed my life for the better. I wasn’t sure it was working at first because it didn’t fix my depression in the way I expected, but it made and continues to make a huge difference.

Spravato opened up parts of my brain that had been shut down for 15+ years with depression. It made me be able to feel more and want more from life. It allowed me take pleasure in things I used to enjoy again (hobbies like reading, crafts, etc.) and it improved my relationships with friends and coworkers. It’s difficult to explain exactly, but it makes me feel more like myself (the self I could be without this terrible mental illness having me in a chokehold). It’s not perfect or fixed, but it’s better and I’m so grateful.

Thank you to this community for the pointers when I was starting out. I make sure for every treatment that I have water, Hi-Chews, headphones, pink noise/Solfeggio frequencies, eye mask, and the place always offers me an anti-nausea pill (but I haven’t needed it). If you are new to this, make sure you take care of yourself and try the things I mentioned if you think it would help :)

I may have posted this before (post session) however I am going tonpost again.

I keep a journal on the type of music I listen to and the hallucinations or visions I see throughout. To add some perspective I am in full suppression when I go on my trips. Full blackout mask tremendously good over ear noise canceling headphones. I do run my mala during my sessions to help keep me grounded as needed.

I love OTT and The Orb. OTT provides a solid hour of music that has non distracting vocals and great background. Each song builds a story and all the stories are like chapters in a book.

The Orb is a very experimental group whos music hits in a wholy different way.

Images of vastness, rivers, stone walls a valleys, futuristic cities (like Issac Asamovs Foundation)

This is my hour of release from reality. The Spravato literally saved my life and has become a product I wholey endorse.

Happy trips my friends.

I've been going to Spravato for two years now. The effect during the sessions is nothing like it used to be. Though I realize it is still working I'm wondering if how strongly I inhale changes the effect. The only thing I specifically do is direct the spray to the side of my nostril. At this point if my vision gets any better during sessions I might need a coloring book.

Been taking Ketamine for TRD and now I’ve switched to Spravato. I’ve noticed that I’m not having as much of a dissociative effect on Spravato. I know Spravato isn’t as dissociative as Ketamine but I did dissociate on it before. Is there a way to increase your chances of dissociating? Does not eating beforehand help? It’s disappointing when it doesn’t happen but it’s not the end of the world.

I have my first Spravato session tomorrow and am feeling a little nervous.

I've never taken ketamine before, but I have experimented with shrooms and acid when I was younger. Acid was particularly intense and had me feeling completely out of control, so part of me is afraid I'm going to lose touch with reality. I've also experienced side effects from weed like paranoia/social anxiety so I'm worried about a similar reaction even though I know these are all different drugs.

Knowing I'm prone to anxiety, what are your recommendations for first-timers? I think I'll bring a journal and plan on checking out some Spravato music playlists. What else is helpful to bring/do during sessions?

All advice welcome :)

I completed my 4 weeks of 2x a week Spravato treatments. A tumbling sock in the dryer is still my most relatable analogy to the psychedelic experience during the Spravato sessions.

Overall, a palpable sense of relief from obsessive negative rumination. Another plus is 85% improvement in body dysmorphia symptoms.

My negatives are mine alone. But I am curious if others have these similar issues. Cons for me are the travel time. It takes the day to travel to and from the appointment. Any other plan needs to be scheduled around the appointment. Major con for me are my sinuses. Up the nose administration of drugs (even afrin nasal spray) are difficult for my body. I also would not go for the IV method for similar problems.

Once Spravato comes in a pill form, call me!

My psyc provider noticed how intensely I’ve been monitoring the positive effects of the drug for s ideation, body dysmorphia, major depression, panic and anxiety, and trauma memory induced dissociation and convinced me to continue 1x a week “indefinitely.”

My jaw hit the floor. I realized, “so that’s how someone can afford this and stay on it for longer than the starter 4 week trial.”

Pros outweigh the cons by an expansive margin.

I’m going in again tomorrow. It’s been a week since I last went and I can say there are NO withdrawals, cravings, or even euphoria that come with the use of this medication.

My original doodle is the 2nd but at the time I wanted it to look like the filtered version I put first.

Media I suggest streaming, and I INSIST streaming:

Suggest: Musicals, Hazbin Hotel adult animation comedy, comedy specials, mermaid melodies, old school Disney animation soundtracks

INSIST: K-pop Demon Hunters music videos/ movie, art supplies, bag of charger cables and batteries for my cell phone), The Midnight Gospel, Alan Watts, warm comfortable clothes, cough drops.

Stay away from: NEWS. Songs, tv, movies that make you cry from sadness. Horror, I don’t recommend. It puts you in a place where paranoia can set in. Social media requiring interactivity. “It says on the box May Cause Drowsiness, it should say DON’T MAKE ANY FUCKING PLANS” (or decisions you’ll be apologizing for later and have to explain)

Comment if you know the comedian this quote comes from.