How the Right Ketamine Dose Supports Deep Healing

Understanding the Psychedelic, Psycholytic, and Anesthetic Ranges in KAP

Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a highly adaptable therapy. It uses ketamine to facilitate deep healing, emotional processing, and personal transformation. The experience varies greatly depending on the dose range used. Choosing the right range is a key part of treatment planning.

At different doses, ketamine induces profoundly different psychological states. Understanding these states can help you or your clients choose an experience that matches their therapeutic goals.

Dr. Eli Kolp outlined four distinct subjective dose ranges:

• Empathogenic

• Out-of-body

• Near-death

• Ego dissolution

  
  

These fit within three broader therapeutic categories: Psychedelic, Psycholytic, and Anesthetic.

How Dosing Works in KAP

In KAP, ketamine is prescribed by a medical prescriber in consultation with both the client and the therapist. After an initial medical evaluation, the prescriber provides a prescription for sublingual (oral) ketamine. This is typically shipped from a compounding pharmacy directly to the client.

Importantly, the prescriber often provides a range of allowable doses based on safety and clinical appropriateness. Within that range:

• The therapist and client collaborate to choose the specific dose for each session.

• Dosing is based on the function and therapeutic goals of that particular session (for example: attachment repair vs. trauma processing vs. ego dissolution).

• The client typically self-administers the ketamine during the session, under therapist supervision and guidance.

  
  

This collaborative and flexible approach ensures that each KAP session is individually tailored. It is responsive to the client’s readiness and aligned with their healing path.

The Psychedelic Range: Healing Through Altered Consciousness

Empathogenic Dose (Light Psychedelic)

100–200 mg sublingual

Gentle emotional opening and relational healing

Effects:

• Heightened empathy

• Emotional openness

• Reduced defenses

• Enhanced connection to therapist

• Rich sensory and symbolic experience

  
  

Used for:

• Early-stage trauma

• Relational/attachment wounds

• Grief, shame, guilt processing

• Building trust and flexibility

  
  

Out-of-Body Dose (Moderate Psychedelic)

200–300 mg sublingual

Perspective shift and trauma reframing

Effects:

• Floating, observing the body

• Detached processing of trauma

• Life review

• Symbolic imagery

  
  

Used for:

• Breaking rigid thought patterns

• Depression, OCD

• Preparing for deeper work

  
  

Near-Death Dose (Deep Psychedelic)

300–400 mg sublingual

Transcendence and existential healing

Effects:

• NDE-type experiences

• Dissolution of fear of death

• Profound peace

• Sense of universal belonging

  
  

Used for:

• Death anxiety

• Grief

• Existential depression

• Meaning restoration

  
  

Ego Dissolution Dose (Very Deep Psychedelic)

>400 mg sublingual

Radical restructuring and spiritual awakening

Effects:

• Ego loss

• Union with universal consciousness

• Infinite space/mystical states

• Post-experience awe and reverence

  
  

Used for:

• Severe depression

• Addiction

• Trauma-based distortions

• Spiritual growth

  
  

Why the Anesthetic Range Is Not Used in KAP

Anesthetic doses of ketamine (>2.0 mg/kg IV/IM) induce unconsciousness. Since KAP is about creating conscious, transformative experiences, these doses are avoided.

The Importance of Tailored Dosing in KAP

In KAP, the importance of tailored dosing cannot be overstated. Each client has unique needs and therapeutic goals. By collaborating closely with the prescriber and therapist, clients can navigate their healing journey more effectively.

The flexibility in dosing allows for adjustments based on the client's responses and experiences. This adaptability is crucial for achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusion

In skilled KAP, dose selection is a clinical art. It is a collaborative process between the prescriber, therapist, and client. Different doses unlock different therapeutic potentials—from gentle emotional exploration to profound ego dissolution.

With careful preparation, coordinated dosing, and thoughtful integration, KAP offers a flexible path to healing, meaning, and transformation.

For more information on the therapeutic benefits of ketamine, you can explore this resource.

References

• Kolp, E., et al. (2014). Ketamine Enhanced Psychotherapy.

• Wolfson, P., & Hartelius, G. (2015). The Ketamine Papers.

• Wilkinson, S.T., et al. (2018). Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects.

• Yaden, D.B., & Griffiths, R.R. (2020). Psychedelics' Subjective Effects.

• Reynolds, A.R., et al. (2021). Ketamine for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.

• Ross, S., et al. (2016). Psilocybin for Anxiety and Depression.

• Griffiths, R.R., et al. (2008). Mystical Experiences with Psilocybin.