When we hear music, we don’t just listen to it, we feel it. Music directly affects our emotions. A simple melody or the sound of an acoustic guitar can bring us joy, make us tear up, or bring back memories we thought we had forgotten. It has the power to shift our mood, which is why it’s often used in meditation. There is no surprise that the role of music in ketamine therapy has been studied. When you combine the power of music with the power of modern medicine, you create the perfect opportunity to find inner peace. In this blog, we’ll explore how using music to guide your ketamine treatment can improve your sessions and your mental health.
The Ketamine Experience
Ketamine itself is a psychedelic medicine that causes feelings of dissociation. Patients may experience feelings of lightness, floating, and out-of-body sensations. Time can feel distorted by slowing down or speeding up, and deep feelings of relaxation and overall calmness arise.
Racing thoughts often slow down, which provides great relief from anxiety. Others might go through emotional journeys as buried feelings resurface. With eyes closed, some see vivid imagery and dream-like visions. The experience of detachment is what provides patients with a new perspective on their mental health challenges, helping them see things from a different perspective.
Set and Setting
Your mindset, your thoughts, emotions, expectations, and intentions all make up the “set” of your ketamine session. The “setting” refers to your environment, including the room, furniture, lighting, and overall atmosphere.
Just as you wouldn’t try to meditate next to a noisy highway, the same goes for your ketamine session. A calm environment with the proper mindset can help you ease into the experience and receive the full benefits of the ketamine treatment. That is why music plays such an important part in the process.
The Benefits of Music During Ketamine Treatment
Music heavily impacts mood, and when your senses are heightened and your mind is in a new realm, music becomes even more supportive for connecting your emotions. In fact, a survey conducted by Osmind reports that:
- 87% of patients said listening to music improved the effects of the ketamine treatment.
- 70% said it eased their anxiety before and during the session.
- 76% reported it helped them relax deeper into the session.
The role of music in ketamine therapy can deepen sessions, create a calming environment, reduce anxiety, and set the mood—and choosing the right music is crucial. Patients reported in the same study that ambient, downtempo, classical, spa music, or new age music genres were the most helpful during their treatments. It is also recommended to listen to music without lyrics to avoid distractions.
Of course, silence is always an option too. You can prepare for your session by looking up music that already brings you calmness and relaxation outside of your session. Talk to your physician ahead of time to create the ideal environment and receive the benefits of music during ketamine treatment.